I really enjoy using what is simply around me to inspire and direct an English lesson. I have definitely spent many hours planning a single lesson delving deep into the many many resources out there. There’s a time for everything but more often than not the lessons that are actually quite simple, more off the cuff and led by the student have flowed really well and I think we’ve both enjoyed them more! I had this picture sitting on my desk from a puzzle I have enjoyed doing over the last year. I just sent it across as a photo in WhatsApp or on a more formal techy lesson I can screen share an image through Zoom or Skype. We just started telling stories which is my favourite thing to do whilst practicing different tenses using this picture as our springboard. It could work for any language level really.
Setting the scene
The lesson went something like this: ‘Imagine you are the woman sitting here all cosy by the fire. Describe what you are doing in this moment.’ (present continuous) ‘Imagine this scene is part of your daily routine. Tell me about it.’ (present simple). ‘Imagine you are planning a holiday to this cabin (we can dream again can’t we?!) What will you do when you are there? (future tense) This could stretch over several lessons and I would make sure to choose appropriate pictures for the current season and the cultural context of my learners. For example, I would avoid sharing an image with food in it if I know the person I’m teaching is fasting. This scene is very appealing to me because it is dark and rainy here in the UK and also where my students are at the moment (not always a given we’re in the same hemisphere!) and it just so happens…. I am currently typing whilst sitting with a cup of tea by a similar fireplace.
Piecing it altogether
It’s surprising how a simple image can develop a conversation class further and deeper into topics such as: How important do you think it is to relax and do something creative? Can you see the family tree on the wall? Would you find it interesting to explore your family roots back in history? Suddenly time is up for today’s lesson and I might set some homework to write a postcard using some of the new words covered in the lesson. It’s easy to let writing skills slip in online teaching when the focus is more on speaking but I’m keen to now and again ensure that this competence is also growing. One of my students chose to send her postcard to me and that was really lovely and any homework set which can actually be used or shared authentically will be much more motivating to do! And will probably bring a little light to someone else’s day.
This is just a glimpse of what some General English lessons with me could look like.
English with Elsie 