How to make a topic of free conversation lesson?
I can't figure out how many online English schools are here in Japan since the numbers keep on increasing every year. We already have an English speaking kind of environment here in Japan. Below link is a list of online English schools in Japan.
You could find your school on the list. However, even if Japanese people have an opportunity to speak English, Japanese students can't improve their English speaking skills if they just simply rely on English textbooks. They just read paragraph in text book, answer the questions on the text books and check whether their answer is correct or not. Moreover, just talking to Filipino teacher isn't enough since their conversation doesn't become lively due to lack of common topics. I'll advice you English teacher how to get more Japanese students for you on this article.
What are the advantages?
There are many English teachers at your school, aren't there? Needless to say, they're able to teach English to Japanese students. So, for students in your English school, what are the advantages of choosing you as a English teacher?
Japanese students basically want to have fun while studying English. They think that it's better to take lessons with free conversation. However, just make a conversation with Filipino teacher doesn't help them to improve their English skill. In addition, Filipino teachers basically don't have much experience in many things since they can't afford to pay for it. Therefore, the free conversation doesn't last long.
You should provide many topics of free conversation for your students If you really want to obtain more number of Japanese students,
Topic of free conversation
Your Japanese students in your online English school can choose whatever subjects they like. Of course, they can choose free conversation. So, how do you usually provide topics for free conversation to your students?
No need to worry about it when you meet your student for the first time. Because you only have to introduce yourself to your student. Then you just ask him about his family. During first time, even only basic conversation doesn't matter. But how about after second time? What topics can you provide to your students? Can you keep talking without interruption?
Topic of free conversation after second time
What is your response when your student ask you "How was scuba diving around Cebu or Bohol Island? " like that?
If I were you, I can response like below;
"Of course, I experienced to scuba diving around Cebu many times with my friends. There were many tropical fishes such as clownfish. We tried to reach my hand to them, they hid behind the sea anemone in a hurry. I prefer Balicasag Island to around Cebu. You can see sea turtle. Which part of Cebu did you dive in? How was it?"
Not only scuba diving but also many kind of activities in Cebu I can last talking about. But you haven't experienced activities so much, have you? Therefore, you just react "Was it beautiful? Did you enjoy?". We say such conversation isn't helpful for improving English skill. We want to discuss about the topic more while practicing to speaking English. But it's difficult since you Filipino teacher don't know about it at all.
How to make a topic for free conversation
So, How to make a topic? It's better to share your knowledge about the Philippines with students because you know about it well. For example, You live in Cebu, you had live in Manila. You can explain what is the differences between Cebu and Manila. "Traffic condition was terrible in Manila compared to in Cebu." or "You know there're Ayala mall in Cebu. There are many big shopping mall such as SM Mega mall, Moa and Greenbelt in Manila. It has amusement park and ice skating rink as well inside. How about the shopping mall in Japan?" like that.
However, most of Japanese students may not imagine what you're explaining about since they only know where the visitors go, they don't know where the locals frequently go. So, what to do?
Make a conversation with Blog
It's better to explain with something Blog written regarding the Philippines. Many Japanese has been writing their blog. Not only about Japan but also about other countries including the Philippines. It help you to explain what the Philippines like by using such Bolgs.
So, how about this blog, mominomad?
This Blog site provide many contents regarding the Philippines with many pictures so that Japanese can imagine it easily.
How to use this Blog with your free conersation?
For example, imagine below;
You have been to Manila. You had many times to take MRT and LRT. You've experienced crowded train there.
Then search if there're topic about crowded train in Manila on this blog. I'll explain how to search below;
1. Click the magnifying glass, "Search" in the upper right.
2. Put keyword into text box and search it. This time, put "Manila MRT traffic" into there.
3. The list of articles regarding the keyword comes up.
4. Click the link of article. Then open the pages. For English translation, choose "英語" on Google translator located on the right side of the page.
5. Read the article and understand it.
6. Share the link and article with your students after starting online English lesson.
You can make a conversation with your students easily.
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