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About Talk Time

Facilitating: Talk Time provides a safe learning environment in which participants can try out their oral English and practice their listening skills. The aim of the ESL Leader should not be to talk, but to facilitate student conversation.

Encouraging conversation: Yes/no questions do not encourage others to speak. Instead, try using words such as "How do you feel about -- ?" and "Can you tell us about --?" Change the question "Do you like ____?" to "What do you think about ____?"

Correcting: Corrections are offered only if the student asks, or if what was said is not comprehensible. Corrections are best given by clarifying and modeling. Ex. Student: "I am very confusing." Leader: "You are very confused?"

Grammar questions: If a Talk Time participant asks a grammar question, feel free to respond if the answer is short and simple (so that it will not disturb the flow of the group's discussion.) If the question is more complex, make a note and let the student know that you will explain at the end of the session.

Dividing into groups: If you have a large group of students with widely divergent levels of English proficiency, it is best to split the group. This is easiest if there are two leaders; but decide ahead of time which level each of you will work with. You can print and color copies of the Level Thermometer to designate tables for each of the groups. You can also occasionally ask students to work in pairs or threes to answer some of the questions.

Mingling: A "mingling" exercise provides both variety and more opportunities for participants to talk in smaller groups. Have everyone move around for 4 - 7 minutes talking to other class members to practice some speech pattern or to gather others' opinions. Example: "Talk to five different people. Ask them: 'What is your favorite season? What do you like about it?'"

Self-Assessment: Periodically assess the amount of talking you are doing, how relaxed and talkative the students are, and how useful and interesting the class materials are. You can use this form, and give it to an ESL Coordinator to help them improve our program.

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2008-2009 School Year

Summer 2008: Course Outline Driving Etiquette Restaurants and Eating Out Communications Community and Housing Marriage and Relationships Parenting and Children

2007-2008 School Year

Fall 2007 Course Outline My Schedule and Routine Family Roles Warm up Family Roles Hobbies Buildings and Structures Sleep Television Traditions and Habits Pets Technology Food	Winter 2008: Course Outline Exercise Disaster Preparedness Grocery Shopping Social Relationships Presidents' Day Socializing with Neighbors Banking St. Patrick's Day Police and Crime Environmental Concerns
Spring 2008: Course Outline Spring Activities Stress and Relaxation Emotions Music Mother’s Day Travel Memorial Day Exploring Washington Olympics Father’s Day

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2006-2007 School Year

Fall 2006 Course Outline Food & Cooking Going to the Dentist Public Transportation Nutrition & Diet Telephone Etiquette Holiday Shopping Thanksgiving Fire Safety Rules of the Road Giving & Receiving Gifts

Winter 2007: Course Outline Discrimination Movies Mail Identity Theft Valentines Day and Romance Travel Education Jobs Friends Restaurants

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2005-2006 School Year

Fall 2005 Small Talk & Conversation Body Language Finding Help Proverbs & Superstitions Health & Nutrition Education in America Family Life Across the United States Pollution & Environment The Computer Age	Winter 2006 Course Outline Civil Rights Winter Holidays Social and Business Occasions Health and Injuries Human Relationships Cross-cultural Communication Laws and Regulations Stores and Shopping Jobs and Work Food and Cooking
Spring 2006 Local Places Money and Banking Staying Healthy Culture in the US Police and Safety Asking for Help Doctors and Dentists American History CPR and First Aid Food and Cooking	Summer 2006 Family Stores & Shopping Mass Media Jobs and Work Understanding Education Current Events

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