»INTERVIEWING AN AMERICAN # 1 « (click on this for the handout)
This homework will make students get out into the community to interview two Americans about their favorite vacation spot. They have to take notes, and write down the information on a form, which they will turn in. They are also graded on their participation in groups when they share the information on one of their interviews. Finally, each group picks the student with the most interesting interview to report on what they learned. This is definitely a high intermediate / advanced level homework and one that I have always had success with. Students will also share their experience & reaction to doing this assignment. What fears did they have? What was rewarding? In the end, in what ways was this a positive (or negative) experience. The goal is to give the students more confidence in speaking to Americans.
I always have them do two interviews, just in case one isn’t so interesting. In class, they only have to report on the most successful interview, but I ask them to turn in both written assignments to see that they have done the work. The topic is interesting because they learn about new places to visit in California or the U.S. or the world. In class, students really listen to each other as they want to know more.
Detailed instructions are on the first page. I recommend going over the kinds of questions and language they will need, even having them role play in pairs. They will be more confident if they are well prepared before going out on this assignment. Eliciting specific questions they can ask about a place really helps them not to feel so on the spot.
Click here to download the images to introduce the topic:
I started teaching EFL in Mexico in the 1970s and stayed for 11 years! My BA is in Latin American Studies, which I did at La Universidad de las Americas in Puebla, Mexico. After moving back to the U.S., I got my Master’s at SFSU in TESOL and American Literature. I’ve taught ESL in to refugees and in community colleges in CA since 1987. I’m currently teaching at ARC, WCC and Davis Adult School.