Speaking Activities for senior adults

[joanKeen]

On a voluntary basis in my local community in Switzerland, myself and another volunteer lead a English conversation group at our local library. I have some experience as an ESL teacher as I have a CELTA certification and taught adults for about 10 years. But I no longer work in the teaching domain and although the group has started well and has been running for over a year now, I am finding it increasingly difficult to think of interesting activities.

The organisation of the group is very loose, it is meant to be a cultural exchange and anyone can come along and there may be new people or the same people each time. We just sit on comfortable chairs and chat, there is no blackboard, no resources of any kind. In addition the level of English of the participants varies hugely as do their ages. Mostly it's retirees that take part but also younger people.

I usually print out some activities. Last time we worked on giving directions. I started them off with a simple game and then we worked up to being an imaginary tour guide in our local community. It was fun and it worked well.

For me it is a welcome change from my main work and a way to be connected with my local community. My problem is what on earth am I going to do with them next time and the time after that? I would be really grateful for ideas, tips on resource books, or just general thoughts on how to keep this group going in an interesting and dynamic way.

[Wendy1969]

If it is a once a week meeting, you could ask each person from the group participants to take turns to write down on a card the specific topics that concerns them or what specific topics they would like to discuss in the group for the following meeting. If you think the topics is suitable for a group discussion, you could then ask the group to check out vocabulary related to the topics. You could also prepare words related to the topic - on a card and then request participants to pick out any word card that they would like it translated to their first language. Some participants can volunteer to translate and assists the individuals concerned to take part in the discussions.

The word cards should be designed with pictures and as colourful as possible. That would make the speaking activities even more interesting. You could ask each person in the group to make a sentence from a specific word card to check understanding.

You could also watch a short movie or a short documentary together and then ask questions related to the show to check understanding.

Speaking Activities for Senior Adults or Young Learners can be fun. One just need to expand on their English vocabulary.

[dfa9]

That sounds like a wonderful initiative! For your next session, you could try organizing a "show and tell" where participants bring an object and describe its significance. Another idea is to discuss current events or have themed discussions, like favorite travel destinations or cultural traditions. You could also play word association games or role-play common scenarios like ordering at a restaurant. Keeping the activities varied and interactive will help maintain interest and engagement.

[kneeeyelash]

These are awesome suggestions! I especially like the idea of a "show and tell" session—it adds a personal touch and lets everyone share something meaningful. Discussing current events or favorite travel spots sounds like a great way to spark interesting conversations too. Variety definitely keeps things lively and engaging. Thanks for sharing these ideas—I'll definitely consider them for our next session!hill climb racing

[NadiaEira]

It's great that you're contributing to your community through the English conversation group. The word cards should be visually appealing with colorful pictures to enhance the speaking activities cookie clicker 2 Each person in the group can be tasked with creating a sentence using a specific word card to assess comprehension, making the activities even more engaging.

[supralunar]

Those are fantastic suggestions! You could also consider incorporating themed storytelling sessions where each participant shares a short story or memory related to a particular theme, such as childhood, holidays, or first jobs. This can not only enhance their speaking skills but also foster a sense of connection within the group. Another idea is to have a "cultural exchange day" where participants share something unique about their own culture or a culture they're interested in. This way, everyone can learn something new and interesting while practicing their Englishgeometry dash

[EthanFinn]

It's wonderful to hear about your experience leading the English conversation group in your local community! It sounds like you've already done some creative and engaging activities with the group, such as the imaginary tour guide game fnaf world

[Devidpaul402]

It’s fantastic that you’re leading an English conversation group in your community! It sounds like a wonderful way to foster connections and cultural exchange. Here are a few ideas to keep the sessions engaging and dynamic:

1. Themed Discussions: Choose a theme for each session, like travel, food, or local traditions. Prepare some questions to guide the conversation, encouraging everyone to share their experiences.

2. Role-Playing Activities: Since you had success with the tour guide activity, consider other role-playing scenarios, like restaurant situations or shopping dialogues. This can make practicing English fun and practical.

3. Conversation Cards: Create cards with various conversation starters or topics. Participants can pick a card and discuss the topic, promoting spontaneous conversation.

4. Cultural Exchange: Invite participants to share something about their culture, whether it’s a tradition, holiday, or favorite recipe. This could even lead to cooking sessions if participants are interested.

5. Guest Speakers: Occasionally invite local guests to share their experiences or expertise, like artists, chefs, or other community members. This can add variety and spark interesting discussions.

6. Games: Incorporate simple games like "20SprunkiQuestions" or charades. These can lighten the mood and encourage participation without putting pressure on language proficiency.

7. Books or Articles: Consider reading short articles or book excerpts together. Discussing these texts can lead to deeper conversations and vocabulary building.

8. Feedback and Suggestions: Encourage participants to suggest topics or activities they’d like to explore. This can empower them and keep the sessions aligned with their interests.

Remember, the goal is to create a relaxed environment where everyone feels comfortable practicing their English. Your dedication to connecting with the community is commendable, and I'm sure your group appreciates your efforts!

[ColeHarry]

It's great to hear that you're volunteering in your local community to lead an English conversation group at the library. Your experience as an ESL teacher and the cultural exchange aspect of the group make it a valuable opportunity for participants escape road

[charlieoliver]

For variety, you could explore cultural themes, role-playing common scenarios, or using photo prompts to inspire storytelling. Books like English Conversation Made Natural offer conversation starters, which might help keep things engaging and dynamic.