It's one-to-one classes which are 40 mins long and I have to make sure the conversation is kept flowing for the whole time. The student is supposed to do 70% of the talking, obviously to improve their fluency in English. I am to prepare 3 topics of discussion from the weeks news, as well as talking about their personal interests if they so wish.
Today I was given a tour of the telecommunications equipment they work on, so that if they decide they want to spend time talking to me about their work, I have at least a small idea of what they do. It was all very interesting, but still hard to grasp. Maybe I'll be learning more as the weeks go on!
The topics I have been instructed to avoid are: Politics (too controversial), Sex (this can apparently get too graphic?!?!), Money (discussing it is taboo in France) and personal topics such as ex-wives, mistresses etc!
So my "boring but safe" topics for tomorrow are:
- SNCF (French national rail company) and how customers are dissatisfied with prices and service
- Tourism in Paris being up this year compared to other parts of France. The bad July weather being blamed.
- F1 racing returning to France (I read once students interest sheet and he likes F1!)
- Plus just general introductions and filling out the interest sheets for all the new students starting this week.
Wish me luck!
2 comments:
Luck...shame looks like you have to avoid all the interesteting topics Lol!
Darn it ... No talk of ex-wives and mistresses.
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