How to motivate a class with only one student?

Hello,

I just started teaching at an Elementary school in a SMALL town in Gangwon-do in Korea and the school I work at has very few students. So few that my grade six class has only one student. I thought she might be good with learning English since she has so much personal attention (between me and her Korean teacher) but she is actually very behind in English for what she should be (still can't read or say anything much). Also she seems to not be very motivated. I have a feeling it is because she is alone without other students because she picks up her whole attitude when her friends are around. Anyways I think playing games and things like that would help but not many are geared towards just one student. Also since she is a little older, some of the little kid videos and games do not seem very appropriate.

Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas on what I should do to motivate her and help her improve on her English?

Thanks,

Trish

Tags: Elementary, beginner, grade, six

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

SupporterPermalink Reply by Headrick von Pizza Head on March 5, 2010 at 4:11am

It sounds like she's really weak. Just try to help her. Think of it as private tutoring and not a class. Get a copy of the textbook "Word by Word" It has vocabulary with Korean traslations. This way she can't use the excuse but I don't understand her. Also use the material on this site for pronuciation. I don't recall the name it just has a diagram of how the mouth should be during speaking. Also use " Side by Side" it makes a good combination with Word by Word

▶ Reply

SupporterPermalink Reply by ddeubel on March 5, 2010 at 5:19am

Trish,

You are to be envied! You can really get to know her (find out what she likes, what interests her) and tailor the activities/learning through that.

I'd really recommend low level stories. Go to our Resources - Reading and download the A-F readers. Print and then use for storytelling and whole language instruction. Kids and stories go together like boys and mud :) Also, we have Picture Sets which really are useful for small group instruction. Use one a day and get her to talk about the pictures with you supporting her. Board games sound good too but make sure it is something she is "into".

But most of all, find out what she is interested in.....