So, I am writing a lesson plan this week for my course in teaching English as a Second Language. I have a question for you. If you were to emigrate to another country. Or if you are an immigrant. And you do not speak the language of that country. You are a Beginning Learner. What piece of language learning would be most important for you?
AND MAKE FOR AN ENGAGING HOUR OF LEARNING. 
Hullo, goodbye. Thank you. Please? (Let’s pretend we already know these) .
How to ask for and follow directions?
How to order food? Or buy the food for a recipe? I am leaning towards food – we could make food. It would need to be cold. Make a salad for instance or a sandwich – this would give us lots of vocabulary – verbs and nouns.
How to navigate a supermarket or the words you would use to describe yourself and where you come from?
How to order a coffee? ( this one I always learn before I leave home). And would make for a tasty class.
Throw out all your ideas. I like my lessons to be task based and like to add drama or role play into each class. And I would love your input.
Yes, that is my tool chair – right by my desk. One day I am going to bring in the tin tool chest from the shed that I never use because I like to keep my tools close by so I can keep an eye on them. There is nothing more frustrating than knowing you own the right tool for the job but not being able to find it! And I do not see my snub nosed pliers. Someone borrowed them while I was away. Also my extra large red adjustable spanner is missing. I will put hunting those down on my list for today.
Work, work, work!
Celi
WEATHER: At last! A sunny day!
The Kitchen's Garden 
91 responses to “A QUESTION FOR YOU”
So many wonderful ideas about things that are important to learn.
If you go with food / groceries / shopping, you might want to include some instruction about the pictographs that are on cleaning products. Crucial information for everyone’s health, especially if there are children in the family. We know that bleach, laundry detergent, etc. should up kept “up” or “locked”, but if you aren’t sure what is in the container, or are unfamiliar with the product, there could be some unfortunate events.
Perhaps a “pantry list”, a menu and then a shopping trip would be task-oriented enough to help them absorb the information.
You’ll do great!
Chris S in Canada
Shopping list!! Excellent
I’m a bit late sorry, but I was in exactly this position when I stepped off the boat with my husband in Naples. The most urgent language requirement was one nobody had thought to teach us when we did Italian lessons on the boat. We rushed into a shop, bought a dictionary and found out how to say, where are the toilets? Glad to say we made it just in time.
After that it was basic shopping words and which way?