Campus Challenges

April 8, 2015 · by · in Activities and Games, Adaptable Activities, Advanced, Full Lesson Plans, Intermediate, Level, Listening, Materials, School, Speaking, Training Teachers, Uncategorized, Worksheets, Writing

Ecuadorian TEFL PCVs, and probably those in other countries, assist students and teachers alike in preparing to take the TOEFL or Cambridge exams to study abroad or to meet government requirements for teaching positions. Understanding U. S. college campus environments and vocabulary and the situations new students face is crucial to score well on a number of the TOEFL speaking and listening questions. Moreover, these tests require candidates to summarize and, at times, take a stance on solutions offered to problems discussed in the conversations.

Objective: SWBAT create and present a dialogue that addresses a potential college student problem and proposes a solution.

Time: two class periods

Materials: Common College Student Problems worksheet  (doc) Download this resource

Presentation

Ask students to form pairs or small groups. Each pair or group will receive one of the problems with which to create a dialogue that might take place in a campus environment between students, advisors, and/or professors. The students will define a specific situation related to the general problem and create a dialogue in which two characters will discuss the situation and propose one or two solutions. The teacher will create a rubric to grade the students’ speaking and writing.

Production

Cut the problem worksheet into four segments and give each pair or group a problem slip. Depending on the class language level and the length of the dialogue the teacher requires, the problem slips may be given during one class so that students can meet after class to discuss the problem and solution and create their dialogue, which would be presented during the next class. If the teacher wants students to prepare in class so that their discussions can be monitored, then set a time limit for the preparation.

After each pair or group presents its dialogue to the class, open a class discussion or take a poll regarding the solutions proposed. How effectively will the solution address the problem? Encourage the class to propose other solutions or ask questions about aspects of the problem they didn’t understand.

Worksheet: Common College Student Problems

  1. Time Management: It’s one of those skills which we all believe we have under control, mainly because we really don’t and are not disciplined enough to take a closer look at the things we spend time on. Since kindergarten, school days were fixed and structured on a set time frame. Students experience this for some 12 years, and then, within a 90 day span from the end of their senior year to the first day of college classes, they must make drastic changes to a schedule that is more flexible and unpredictable. This can be challenging for students as they will have to decide when they will take their courses and how those courses will align with other obligations. A student taking a course at 9:00 AM and having a class gap until 1:00 PM may be challenged by how to effectively and efficiently use that time.
  2. Academic Workload: Freshman are surprised their first semester at the amount of reading required and the length of the research papers they write in college. High school students may complete more assignments than college students; it is the type of workload that will change. The greatest demand will be reading and preparing for class. This is a challenge because many students report not having to do substantial reading for classes in high school and being able to study for tests just prior to class and perform well based on memorization. In college you will have homework every day even if none is officially assigned; you still have required readings and outside projects which must be done. College students find themselves reading 2-3 chapters each night. A good model to follow is that for every hour of class you should be spending three hours studying outside of class.
  3. Personal Freedom and Responsibility: With increased personal freedom comes greater responsibility for one’s daily schedule. College students must choose when and how to study, socialize with new acquaintances, become involved in activities, hold a job, budget money, exercise, and make time to eat and sleep. They learn how to balance going to class, participating in activities, completing schoolwork on time, taking care of themselves, working at a part-time job, and having fun. They schedule classes, buy personal items, make healthcare appointments, and ask professors or other university staff for help. Students often need to take the initiative to address their responsibilities for the first time in their lives.
  4. Relationships at College: Students adjust to new surroundings and relate to unfamiliar people. Their peers may seem very different from family, friends, and acquaintances at home. A student may hope his or her roommate will be a close friend and may be disappointed if he or she is not. Students who live on campus learn to negotiate conflicts with roommates and fulfill new expectations from adults at college. For example, a professor typically will not call if a student misses class but will likely grade for attendance. Students must resolve concerns directly with professors, advisors, landlords, roommates, and others.
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