Arrival of learners...

[Sarah Shaw-Gray]

Hello,
I'm a little stumped. If a group of beginner adult learners arrived in a foreign country where the native language is English, what are the first three areas of language they should be taught in the first week and why?
Please could someone assist.
Ta.

Originally Posted by Sarah Shaw-Gray

Hello,
I'm a little stumped. If a group of beginner adult learners arrived in a foreign country where the native language is English, what are the first three areas of language they should be taught in the first week and why?
Please could someone assist.
Ta.

Asking for directions. (They get lost)
Dealing with money and buying things. (They need to survive)
Introductions. (They will meet people)

[Sarah Shaw-Gray]

Hi M56,
I thought of those basic "survival" guidelines i.e. how to get around etc but those are more orientation areas and not areas of language that would benefit them - barring the introduction suggestion you made.
Another one I thought of is "visual language" i.e. using pictures / drawings and mimicking like pointing to theirs wrists to ask the time etc.
Any other thoughts?

[Sarah Shaw-Gray]

Hi M56,
I thought of those basic "survival" guidelines i.e. how to get around etc but those are more orientation areas and not areas of language that would benefit them - barring the introduction suggestion you made.
Another one I thought of is "visual language" i.e. using pictures / drawings and mimicking like pointing to their wrists to ask the time etc.
Any other thoughts?

[Tdol]

You can go quite a long way with gestures and smiles, especially if accompanied with thank-yous, excuse-mes and greetings.
I agree with Metal about money- it is very important. Last year, I was living in Cambodia, where they use the dollar alongside the riel, and it was very confusing to pay in dollars and get change in riels, etc. A few basic phrases for essential transaction, like 'how much' help people settle in.
Also, prepare them for the fact that not all gesture and smile stuff works. Prepare them to terminate such a conversation politely.