Help Me Teach in Barcelona

From The Tutor:

Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:24:24 -0600
Subject: Teaching in Barcelona

Hi Jane,

I am leaving for Barcelona mid January, and was told you'd be a great resource for me!  I am tutoring a 26 year old model/actress who has a fairly decent understanding of the English language.  She understands and reads fairly well; she wants to improve her proficiency in writing and especially speaking.  She wants us to speak in English all of the time, which I believe will already improve her fluency tremendously - and will work well I think given her busy and ever-changing work schedule.  Given the circumstances, I believe that much of what we do will be in informal conversation.  What other ideas or suggestions do you have for tutoring her?  And are there any other resources that I should look into?

Thank you!

Trina

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Reply To Trina From "Help Me Teach"

Hi, Trina!
 
Wow!! What a great 'assignment'! Sounds like a lot of fun while helping someone else. How long will you be with this person? You start in January. Then what?
 
You are correct: Just the daily speaking in English on any subject and as a natural course will help her fluency and vocabulary. You will need to become an undertanding chatterbox. She needs to feel comfortable enough to ask you questions on even the smallest items. Given her profession, daily linguistic interaction should be fascinating. If she is able to converse somewhat freely in English, go for the smaller vocabulary challenges that you might find around you...props, lighting, previous films (hers or others), background objects, interaction with others. What a wonderful challenge!
 
In writing, I would suggest the quick essay on opinion subjects. Read for content and critique for style and the various ways a person can write anything. I have attached some subject ideas to you. Another way might be Scrabble and I would suggest tucking in a travel Scrabble. Pictionary is good with attention paid to the smaller details and describing them. One thing that is fun and creative: Magnetic poetry for the refrigerator. Single words that can be rearranged on a magnetic background. This might be 'whimsy', but certainly lets the mind roam free. Idioms are also a good way to enter the language. There are several books out there on English (combined US and UK) idioms that you might find useful.  Working with English Idioms, David Peaty, is a good start. Check your book stores (new and used) for other idiom texts. Most languages speak in idioms.
 
Always good is the Internet and its use of English. Do you have a couple of books (novels, romance, etc.) you would like to share with her? In reading, she can underline unknown words while getting the meaning of the sentence, paragraph, etc., from the context. How does she want to use the language? Is there a specific direction? Will you have contact with her before your arrival to give you direction? If so, you can pursue texts or information before you go.
 
I am attaching a listing of possible conversation or/and writing topics. Some may be appropriate to your situation. Some may prove very interesting as a way of getting to know people.
 
Let me know how this all progresses. A wonderful opportunity for you both - and for you, a great adventure in another country.
 
Hope this is of help. Please keep in touch! Would really like to learn how this all turns out.
    Jane