conversation group guidelines

Guidelines for ESL Conversation group

• Come up with a guiding theme or topic (see list for suggestions).
• Ask open-ended questions.
• Speak slower than usual but still naturally; that is, talk the way you would with your friends so they get authentic input.
• Keep error correction to a minimum, e.g. only correct idioms and slang.
• Ask members what problems/issues they are experiencing with language.
• Be a cultural and linguistic ambassador.
• Encourage members to suggest topics and themes for discussion.
• Don’t be afraid of silence. They are processing, so they need more think time than you. Allow for that.
• Engage, stimulate, facilitate, empower, and have fun!

Topics and Themes for Conversation Group

• Greetings/salutations, e.g. “How’s it goin” is hello; “see ya later” means goodbye.
• Making friends/acquaintances American style.
• Customs and morés, cross-culturally (holidays, weddings, graduation, funerals, birthdays, etc).
• Texas dialect: "y’all", "coke", "fixin' to", "do what", etc.
• Idioms, slang, and profanity: embrace this as a linguistic ambassador.
• Stereotypes about different cultures, including our own.
• Relationship language and culture, e.g. “hooking up” “hanging out”, etc.
• Text/IM language and its influence on spoken language and the writing system.
• Criticism, diplomacy, etiquette, indirect speech: how to understand it; how to use it.
• Pronunciation tips and explanations: wanna, gonna, coulda, shoulda, hafta, useta, Ima (I’m gonna), etc.
• Pop culture: TV, movies, music, celebrity, advertising.
• Current events and the media.
• Travel: world cultures, historical sites, travel narratives.
• Media: the media’s portrayal and stereotyping of different cultures, e.g. American women are promiscuous; British people are snobby and intellectual.
• Food: restaurants, grocery shopping, cooking, cross-cultural aspects.
• Shopping for a variety of items: clothes, shoes, electronics, etc.
• Money: Americans value money more than most cultures.
• Politics and religion: now these are touchy topics and they should know this because many cultures openly discuss politics and religion. You don't necessarily have to discuss them but do convey their sensitivity.
• Social class: America is a somewhat classless society (socioeconomic).
• Information technology and how it’s affecting the way we communicate and socialize.