One of the best ways to engage your students in learning is to take them to a unique fieldtrip to a destination which corresponds to your teaching topic. There is nothing better than visiting the bank and trying to open an imaginary account instead of reading a boring imaginary conversation between a "client" and a bank teller. Take your students outside and show them situations in real life just as they would experience them on their own. This wonderful exercise will not only prepare them for real situations, but it will also give them more confidence to actually deal with such situation when they are on their own. There are lots of places around town where you can go for free. Sometimes your students would not even think of going there just because they do not know that they could. One piece of advice is, make sure you visit these places when they are less busy. That way you will ensure some free time and motivation from personnel to actually help you out and be patient with your students while they learn.
Here are some examples:
- a hospital/clinic
- a bank
- a police station
- a firehall
- the market/convenience store
- a bakery
- a restaurant/coffee shop
These are only a small number of places, but be creative - you can always come up with many more interesting destinations. If you have the time, make sure you call or visit them ahead of time and arrange a meeting or at least let staff know you will be visiting. That way they will be expecting you and will even prepare to meet your students with some materials or tips. Enjoy!
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