Exchange Student tips

  • For at least the first two or three weeks, only speak English! It is very important that your student get used to the cadence of the language. Many students will come to you with excellent reading and writing skills but very poor listening and speaking skills. Part of the fun of exchange is that you get to practice your student's native language but it is very important that you wait until your student feels more comfortable hearing English. If you allow the student to ask questions in their native language, you are enabling him or her not to learn the language. You'll get your chance to practice though. Two or three weeks will go by very quickly!.

Classroom tips

  • Prepare your material thoroughly.
  • Don't assume anything. Make sure that you have everything that you need before the class starts.
  • Arrive on time for your lessons.
  • Be yourself.
  • Organize your material before the lesson starts.
  • Be prepared to adapt, not just blindly follow your plan.
  • Be enthusiastic.
  • Get to know your students names quickly and use them whenever possible.
  • Don't panic.
  • Encourage continually but don't over-do it.
  • Seek help and advice from experienced colleagues.
  • Make your descriptions and explanations as visual as possible.
  • Don't talk unless you need to.
  • Pace yourself.
  • Don't interrupt student activities, it is their talking time.
  • Plan your explanations! Just because you understand an activity doesn't mean you can tell someone how to do it.
  • Never criticize your students.
  • Students bring a wealth of experience to the classroom so use it whenever you can.
  • Plan your board work!
  • Vary the stimulus as often as possible.
  • Self evaluate your lessons, note what works and what doesn't.
  • Seek evaluations from your students, they are the best judges of your teaching.
  • Make sure you know the operating procedures for all equipment.
  • Don't talk to the board.

Young Learners tips

  • Games, games and more games!
  • Songs are a big hit. Some of you may remember SchoolHouse Rock. The lyrics to all of the Grammar Rock can be found in the on-line grammar area. Check the library for the DVDs, VHS tapes and CDs so the young learners can watch the cartoons as well as learn the melodies. If you are teaching in a school that has music classes, work with the music teacher to teach the students each of the songs as part of their coursework. Sheet music is available for all of them.