|
Introduction
Language schools invite intenational visitors to the USA to study the US accent. The students tend to be between 16 and 30 years old. Some of them rent or buy bicycles, most use a bus or rent a car, some long-term visitors buy a used car.
The Need
Most students go from home stay or apartment or hotel to the school, to the beach, to restaurants and shopping centers and back home. The chief complaint: "I don't meet any local people."
Some of my students are shy. My job is to introduce them to local people. How about you -- would you like to meet my international students?
TALK ABOUT KEY WEST...
 The Course
1. Correction: Know when to correct
a) When an international student is speaking, take a piece of paper and jot down the errors. After the person is finished describing a situation, perhaps two or three minutes of errors, then you can interrupt and say, "Let's repeat these words together." Match confusing words, like bird, beer, beard and bear.
b) When you are doing a drill, yes, correct immediately. If you are working with two people, don't answer a question or make a correction. Raise a finger and see if the other person in the pair can find the error.
2. Cultural Sensitivity: These people are visitors and guests in my school. Don't offend them. They are my customers. However, if they ask your opinion, tell them.
They aren't fragile.
3. Be open-minded: This is a volunteer position. you are not an ambassador and you don't represent the US government. You can say anything you want but remember we have two ears and one tongue. Listen more than speak. Allow the student to talk.
 5. Learn some geography. Don't appear ignorant. Learn the following:
The capital of every country in Europe, South America and Asia. yes, even Tashkent and Riga, Vilnius and La Paz.
Where is Iguazu falls?
No, Niagara is NOT the largest waterfall in the world. It's big, but Iguazu is bigger.
6. Use pen and paper and draw maps. Get some maps from our brochure desk and use them in class. Know how to get to some great places in South Florida. Be a guide.
REWARDS: When you travel, you will have a local guide in almost every country because I have students around the world. I can link you with one of my students. Remember to exchange email accounts with the students you meet in my class. You never know when they might help you with something by email.
It's also nice to share a mobile phone number so they can practice telephone skills with you. Facebook accounts and exchanges on Orkut are fun. too.
The Test
Now that you have completed the course, take the test:
Step 1: Write a paragraph (100 words) about why you are interested in becoming a conversation assistant.
Send your writing to FreeEnglishLessons@gmail.com
Step 2 -- write five questions that you would like to ask an international visitor
Write three questions that you believe are rude or inappropriate (I want to test your social and emotional intelligence). Send all 8 questions to me by email.
Step 3: Call 1+ 954.646.8246 and ask for Steve McCrea. If there is no answer, leave your phone number and I'll call you back. It will be excellent if you can tell me at least two things that you learned from this online course (yes, there are only six things to remember.) This is called a performance of understanding. Demonstrate what you have learned above.
If you have comments or suggestions for improving this course, please call or write me.
Visit my "It Sounds Like" system for pronunciation practice and accent reduction.
Write to FreeEnglishLessons@gmail.com |
 We use techniques from this remarkable book. Come to our school and see it for yourself or download the free copy from the 1999 edition.
As a Conversation Assistant, you will become certified through my training to
 Why not contact me today and get started? My students are waiting to meet you.
Here are some of my students
   These are my mentors and they helped me to become a trainer of Conversation Assistants.
  Thank you for your time.
Visit our other websites
Read interesting books, too
 Are you interested in becoming a Language Teacher? It's fun! Let me tell you about the CELTA training.
CELTA website: Teaching English to speakers of other languages can be a highly rewarding career, offering you the chance to live and work abroad. You will need an internationally recognised teaching qualification, and CELTA — highly regarded throughout the world — gives you the skills you need and will make it easier to get a teaching job anywhere.
Cary Elcome trains you to become an EFL teacher (English as a Foreign Language) -- Bradstow2@yahoo.co.uk << contact Cary.
My Hotmail Account Was Suspended.
My Hotmail Account was closed.
I was informed by Microsoft that my account had been reported for "undeliverable email addresses" -- apparently, this is a sign that I was sending spam, "unwanted or unsolicited email messages" so my account was shut down. Over 500 email addresses of my students. Gone. A request for me to submit an article to a teachers' journal -- gone.
Here is an example of this sort of message to Microsoft and then the reply from a technician:
dirtytattman My account - {removed email address} has been suspended. I need help to get it back online as I use it daily. PLEASE HELP ME an alternate address to send me info on how to get my account back is: {removed email address} REPLY by Windows Live Ricardo D. : Dirtytattman, I've checked your account and verified that it is closed. Please report this to the Windows Live Hotmail Customer Support Team by sending an e-mail to abuse@hotmail.com. ============ Does abuse@hotmail.com ever reply to emails? I don't know. I've written a dozen times to this email address and I have not received a reply. So I'm putting this information in my blog and on my website and it will remain here until I get my account back. SteveEnglishTeacher@hotmail.com. Gone. Very sad teacher. We like BigPicture Schools.
Learn about the Big Picture school in Seattle, Washington
|