Teaching Teens: 15-17 Y.O. Need Ideas

**Benedict XVI** · 14th October 2009 22:19

Brief background.

I taught teens briefly in the past, and for the last several years I have not. I've had children 6-11 and adult TOEFL, TOEIC, and some adult Business English.

I am starting a new class in a couple of days of teens for the first time in a long time.

Textbook: New Cutting Edge, Intermediate.

Looking for ideas, activities, topics, internet sites, how to group and pairs (boys w/ girls), etc.

I've got stuff available for use, but I'm looking for ways to make this energetic.

**jimbo** · 14th October 2009 22:37

How many Ss are in the class?

Do they know one another?

Have you interviewed/met any of them?...have any clue as to their specific interests?

Are their English levels generally similar or is it a smattering of 3 advanced, 2 inter and one beginner?

Are they prepping for something specific or just there for general improvement?

Is this a private school / institute or public?

What are the admin's specific expectations?

How often and how long will the class run for?

ESL and Mainstream Teens

Google Directory - Kids*and*Teens*>*School*Time*>*English*>*English*a s*a*Second*Language

Conversation Questions for the ESL/EFL Classroom (I-TESL-J)
ESL Conversation Questions - Teenagers (I-TESL-J)

Making ESL Teaching Relevant to Teen Learners
By:Dr. Robert W. F. Taylor
Making ESL Teaching Relevant to Teen Learners

English worksheets: Fashion for teens! worksheets and activities

Open Directory - Kids and Teens: School Time: English: English as a Second Language

Teaching Conversation English to Thai Students

**stfranalum** · 14th October 2009 22:51

allow them to generate the topics they work with. this is the default rule in working with teens.

you set the criteria to study from....parameters, activities, but allow them a big say in what they talk about. this will go a long way, both in taking time, and in getting them to be stakeholders in the class.

**kingdomcome** · 14th October 2009 23:47

Originally Posted by Benedict XVI

Textbook: New Cutting Edge, Intermediate.

.

Cutting Edge is a good book with lots of supplimentary activities included. I teach high school students now, in the evenings. A lot of the success depends on the energy you bring to the class. They certainly respond better to an easy going teacher who isn't too serious. I know that's vague, but if you've got a good book like Cutting Edge you shouldn't have to worry about extra material.

**Benedict XVI** · 14th October 2009 23:53

Originally Posted by jimbo

How many Ss are in the class?

I don't know yet. Probably 12-18.

Do they know one another?

I don't don't know. I'll bring a couple of Ice Breakers if it's the first time they will have met.

Have you interviewed/met any of them?

I am the teacher - not the placement administrator.

...have any clue as to their specific interests?

They're teens....so, yes.

Are their English levels generally similar or is it a smattering of 3 advanced, 2 inter and one beginner?

I've just accepted the starting of this class.

Are they prepping for something specific or just there for general improvement?

See answer, above.

Is this a private school / institute or public?

Private institute.

What are the admin's specific expectations?

I don't care - I care about student expectations.

How often and how long will the class run for?

Sat & Sun: for 2.5 hours each day (back to back days).

ESL and Mainstream Teens

Google Directory - Kids*and*Teens*>*School*Time*>*English*>*English*a s*a*Second*Language

Conversation Questions for the ESL/EFL Classroom (I-TESL-J)
ESL Conversation Questions - Teenagers (I-TESL-J)

Making ESL Teaching Relevant to Teen Learners
By:Dr. Robert W. F. Taylor
Making ESL Teaching Relevant to Teen Learners

English worksheets: Fashion for teens! worksheets and activities

Open Directory - Kids and Teens: School Time: English: English as a Second Language

Teaching Conversation English to Thai Students

Thanks for the links, Jimbo!!

Will let you know.

Originally Posted by stfranalum

allow them to generate the topics they work with. this is the default rule in working with teens.

you set the criteria to study from....parameters, activities, but allow them a big say in what they talk about. this will go a long way, both in taking time, and in getting them to be stakeholders in the class.

Thank you stfran.

Originally Posted by kingdomcome

Cutting Edge is a good book with lots of supplimentary activities included. I teach high school students now, in the evenings. A lot of the success depends on the energy you bring to the class. They certainly respond better to an easy going teacher who isn't too serious. I know that's vague, but if you've got a good book like Cutting Edge you shouldn't have to worry about extra material.

Good points.

No, I'm not serious. Not in mood, although I have an agenda. I've never been "serious" in demeanor.

Very easy going.

Cutting Edge has a lot, and I've got extra material saved on paper, and on the computer.

I just want to make it rock.

Thanks KC.

**jimbo** · 15th October 2009 00:17

I hope their desks are movable so you can change-up the classroom setting (if you're into TPR at all)

Spanish teacher and classroom desk arrangements Kenneth Fach Telling It

Some teens, as u well know can be a bit withdrawn due to bio, etc....and need that extra umpphh to get them out of their shells. I believe that a proper desk arrangement, with continual changes helps with this.

For a non-text hour:

If multimedia is available, try opening a class with a 2-5 minute video of your target language.

Try to find something that mirrors, emphasizes or otherwise backs up the target vocab. / grammar from a recent lesson in the text.

First pre-teach the terms/phrases/expressions that you want them to listen for.

Choral the difficult words.

Watch the vid 2-4 times. (add a partial dialogue for fill-ins)

Ask questions for comp. check.

Pass out the written dialogue in full.

Have them practice it from their seats, (but if 12-18 students get them in front of the class {with a bit of acting if possible} asap to escape boredom among the "listeners.")

Have fun with it.

Being that they are teens, I'd doubt that they'll voice many language expectations beyond the standard, "have fun," or "improve."

I just wonder what skills the admin./parents most expect them to improve on.

**Benedict XVI** · 15th October 2009 09:57

Originally Posted by jimbo

I hope their desks are movable so you can change-up the classroom setting (if you're into TPR at all)

Desks are in a "U," which is what I prefer until grouping.

Spanish teacher and classroom desk arrangements Kenneth Fach Telling It

Some teens, as u well know can be a bit withdrawn due to bio, etc....and need that extra umpphh to get them out of their shells. I believe that a proper desk arrangement, with continual changes helps with this.

For a non-text hour:

If multimedia is available, try opening a class with a 2-5 minute video of your target language.

Try to find something that mirrors, emphasizes or otherwise backs up the target vocab. / grammar from a recent lesson in the text.

First pre-teach the terms/phrases/expressions that you want them to listen for.

Choral the difficult words.

Watch the vid 2-4 times. (add a partial dialogue for fill-ins)

Ask questions for comp. check.

Pass out the written dialogue in full.

Have them practice it from their seats, (but if 12-18 students get them in front of the class {with a bit of acting if possible} asap to escape boredom among the "listeners.")

Have fun with it.

Being that they are teens, I'd doubt that they'll voice many language expectations beyond the standard, "have fun," or "improve."

I just wonder what skills the admin./parents most expect them to improve on.

Cheers, again, Jimbo.

I can us Multi-Media, but rarely do so. I'll consider it.

Will keep you posted, later, BXVI.

**banjo** · 15th October 2009 12:06

The only problem you might have is that Thai teenage students don't have enough social experience to generate the ideas necessary for some activities in the book. In other words you might have to invent roles for your students occasionally. But as for ideas, topics, pair work, etc,etc, it's all there. In the right classroom Cutting Edge teaches itself.

**Benedict XVI** · 15th October 2009 22:00

^ yes, NCE (New Cutting Edge) has plenty as a foundation.

Thanks for the info, banjo.

**Benedict XVI** · 20th October 2009 07:54

Thanks for all of the above advice.

Things went well (from my perspective). The class livens up, and the SS talking time goes way up, when I leave the book and we do conversation activities.

New Cutting Edge is a good book with a lot of materials. But there is a focus on grammar (understandably) and the students' grammar is solid, as well as their knowledge of the structure of English. The book will be a base.

**jimbo** · 20th October 2009 09:53

Glad they're a talkative bunch Bene. Should be cake now.

**Benedict XVI** · 20th October 2009 11:42

Originally Posted by jimbo

Glad they're a talkative bunch Bene. Should be cake now.

Cheers.

It's a 2.5 hour class, Sat/Sun nights.

So I have to be creative and think of new ideas.

In every teen class, I always play one song, with a lyric sheet w/ some of the lyrics whited-out.

Last Sat/Sun I played "The Scipt" song, "Together We Cry," and "The Man Who Can't be Moved."

Not a cop-out. These songs are 3:00 and 3:45 each.

The eagerly wanted the songs played again 2 times, for a total of 3 times. They got most of the lyrics in the fill-in.

I have 2 more Scipt songs, that I'll use next Sat & Sun,

but I'm looking for new music: catchy, but safe lyrics, with an upbeat tempo to wake up the teens late at night.

Any new bands & songs to play? New stuff?

Thanks.

**Matthew** · 20th October 2009 11:47

Free Worksheets for Songs

**jonny danger** · 20th October 2009 11:53

Banjo's got it right. You won't find many differences of opinion from one to another. This is good and bad. Pick a theme that bombs and it bombs with all of them. Pick one they like and ... well you know.