Today we discussed ways to improve our class.
The teacher suggested that students who only attend for the first two hours sit at a table in the back of the classroom. He said that when students leave their study group in the middle of the class, they disrupt the study group.
Some students wanted to talk about this plan.
Khalil said that he wanted to stay in the front of the class because he has a problem with his vision.
Phung Chau said that she had the same problem.
Mei Fang said that she also had the same problem.
Wing also said that she has this problem.
Ha To also has difficulty seeing from the back of the room.
Richard tried to explain the problem, as he sees it.
He said, working in study groups is very important because study groups are the most effective way to improve your English.
Richard wants you to use this opportunity to learn. He knows that his students can not continue in the advanced class forever. They need to develop skills that will help them to succeed in college and in their jobs. Even students that have retired need to learn English communication skills to help their families.
The study groups are the most effective way to improve conversation, writing and editing skills.
What can we do in our class next week, he asked?
It was suggested that the two front tables be reserved for the students that leave at 10:30 and that after 10:30, the students in the back would move forward.
Hector said that he thought this was unfair. He comes to class every day and he usually comes early, he said. He said that he sits in the front because he thinks it is the best place to learn.
Wing,
Khalil and
Phung left the class because it was 10:30.
Mei Fang also left.
Francisco asked, "Do all the people leave at the same time, or do they leave one by one." It would disturb the class if people were always moving.
Mung Kai said, "Some people sneak away."
Francisco said , "If people left from the back it wouldn't disturb the class so much."
Wai Ping said, why don't you write on the black board in the middle of the class so the students at the back table will be able to see better.
Xiao Yan asked that we quit "wasting our time talking about this and start listening to some music or reading literature or maybe a tv show."
Richard said, "We haven't spoken this much English in class all of this month. this is, perhaps, the best conversation practice we have had."
Wai Ping wants to talk about news. He wants to talk about current events.
The teacher asked that we try to make a plan for Monday. We change the plan later, but what should we try, on Monday, as an experiment.
We agreed to try to put the students that have to leave at the two tables in the front. The teacher said that he will try to use the front board less and emphasize working in study groups more. We will review how this works in the near future.
Xiao Yan suggested that we do more intersting topics like news and current events.
Francisco wants more dictation.
Vivian said, "Why don't that we use the two front tables by the windows because they are used to those tables."
Yan Hua doesn't want to move at all.
Vivian suggests that the teacher create study groups "by mnumbers" every day.
Dickson suggested that we have a day each week to just talk. "No paper, now writing."
Jiao said, give us a topic. that we can discuss.
Francisco suggests that we choose discussion groups by whether they leave early or not.
Yan Hua wants to form the groups each day after 10:30.
Richard said, "We still don't have a plan for Monday."
Han Xian said, " All morning, we have no time to relax. We feel very bored. There is no break."
The teacher explained that the school does not allow for official breaks anymore.
Richard asked, "Is there anything you do like about this class?"
Kai Yan said, " I like the class."
Wai Ping agreed, he likes it, too. But he wants to talk about the news.
