Self-Introduction: How to Survive your First Class
You made it. You are here. Here on the first day of classes. You look professional. You went through the introduction ceremony. You have met your coworkers. You are in the classroom. It is the first time to meet the students. Now, you might be thinking, “How the heck is this gonna go?” Well, you are not the first one to think that and you will not be the last. If you are freaking out about how to make a good first impression on the students, have no fear! For here is a list for you to look through on how to make the perfect self-introduction presentation.
Tip #1: Make it genuine.
The students can smell BS and it’s not a good way to start out. Besides, the students are honestly curious about who you are and want to know about you. Something that you might think is boring about you might be amazing to them. Show them the real you.
Tip #2: A picture is worth a thousand words.
You can explain yourself as many times as you want but it will not have the same captivation as pictures. Students will want to see picture from your home, family, friends, food, everything. And if you want some extra brownie points throw in gifs.
Tip #3: Show your roots.
No, not your hair. The students will want to know where you are from. Gather as much information about your home as you can. What kind of food do you eat? What can you see? What is your home famous for? It doesn’t have to just be about your home, either. What about your family? What are they like? How many siblings to you have? Do you have pets? Students will want to hear all about it.
Tip #4: Games!
One of the best ways to get students on your side is through games. After I talked about myself, I included a quiz game about my home state at the end. Other games that could be fun are riddles, three hint quiz, true or false; there are many options.
Tip #5: Spell it out.
Sometimes you have to make it painfully obvious of what you mean for students to understand you. What do I mean by that? I suggest labeling pictures, writing sentence points, and miming out what you mean. And the good ole’ “Do you understand?” can get them on the right track.
Tip #6: Keep it simple.
Remember, these students are still learning English so it is best to keep it as simple as possible. Students should be able to look at your slide and understand it right away. If there is a word you think might be too difficult to explain and you have the ability, put the Japanese translation down. If your presentation is complicated, they won’t listen.
Tip #7: Become Question Master.
You want to keep them engaged, right? Ask questions through-out your presentation. Ask them such things such as “What do you think?” or “Do you know this?” Make sure to leave some time after your presentation for the students to ask you questions as well. And a warning, you will be asked strange or personal questions. It ranges from the usual, “Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?” to “You’re American, why aren’t you fat?” Be mentally prepared when you give and receive questions.
Tip #8: Worksheets.
Let’s start off with your new best friend. Always a useful tool to make sure students are listening; plus, it’s good reading and writing practice. You can make it a quick five question worksheet. Or in case you will not have access to a working computer to have a multiple-choice quiz sheet for the students to work on and you can reveal the answers afterwards. I suggest putting a little section on the worksheet for them to write a short self-introduction. You want to get to know them too, right?
Tip #9: Bribery.
JK, but not really. It is common for ALTs to give out stickers to students who answer questions or engage with the ALT. A lot of schools even have sticker sheets. Often a prize will be given to the student with the most stickers at the end of the school year. If your school doesn't currently implement a sticker system, it might be a good suggestion. Bring some stickers from home with some English on it or buy some from Daiso in Japan.
Tip #10: The more the merrier.
It is best to be prepared for any situation and to make several presentations. I recommend making a long (30 minutes) and short (10 minutes) PowerPoint presentation. You won’t know what your JTEs will want so it is best to be prepared for whatever. Make a non-computer friendly presentation, too.
Tip #11: Prepare for “It’s not working” moments.
So, this can and does happen. I cannot recommend enough to test out everything on the equipment that you have well in advance to your lesson. Also, have a back-up plan just in case the computer is down or any other unforeseen complications.
Tip #12: Relax and have fun.
At the end of the day, it is just a regular class. Not to mention you will be doing this presentation for at least two weeks so you will get the hang of it in no time. Have fun with it and the students will follow suit.
Well, there you have it.
(Taken from Toyama AJET)
Tip #1: Make it genuine.
The students can smell BS and it’s not a good way to start out. Besides, the students are honestly curious about who you are and want to know about you. Something that you might think is boring about you might be amazing to them. Show them the real you.
Tip #2: A picture is worth a thousand words.
You can explain yourself as many times as you want but it will not have the same captivation as pictures. Students will want to see picture from your home, family, friends, food, everything. And if you want some extra brownie points throw in gifs.
Tip #3: Show your roots.
No, not your hair. The students will want to know where you are from. Gather as much information about your home as you can. What kind of food do you eat? What can you see? What is your home famous for? It doesn’t have to just be about your home, either. What about your family? What are they like? How many siblings to you have? Do you have pets? Students will want to hear all about it.
Tip #4: Games!
One of the best ways to get students on your side is through games. After I talked about myself, I included a quiz game about my home state at the end. Other games that could be fun are riddles, three hint quiz, true or false; there are many options.
Tip #5: Spell it out.
Sometimes you have to make it painfully obvious of what you mean for students to understand you. What do I mean by that? I suggest labeling pictures, writing sentence points, and miming out what you mean. And the good ole’ “Do you understand?” can get them on the right track.
Tip #6: Keep it simple.
Remember, these students are still learning English so it is best to keep it as simple as possible. Students should be able to look at your slide and understand it right away. If there is a word you think might be too difficult to explain and you have the ability, put the Japanese translation down. If your presentation is complicated, they won’t listen.
Tip #7: Become Question Master.
You want to keep them engaged, right? Ask questions through-out your presentation. Ask them such things such as “What do you think?” or “Do you know this?” Make sure to leave some time after your presentation for the students to ask you questions as well. And a warning, you will be asked strange or personal questions. It ranges from the usual, “Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?” to “You’re American, why aren’t you fat?” Be mentally prepared when you give and receive questions.
Tip #8: Worksheets.
Let’s start off with your new best friend. Always a useful tool to make sure students are listening; plus, it’s good reading and writing practice. You can make it a quick five question worksheet. Or in case you will not have access to a working computer to have a multiple-choice quiz sheet for the students to work on and you can reveal the answers afterwards. I suggest putting a little section on the worksheet for them to write a short self-introduction. You want to get to know them too, right?
Tip #9: Bribery.
JK, but not really. It is common for ALTs to give out stickers to students who answer questions or engage with the ALT. A lot of schools even have sticker sheets. Often a prize will be given to the student with the most stickers at the end of the school year. If your school doesn't currently implement a sticker system, it might be a good suggestion. Bring some stickers from home with some English on it or buy some from Daiso in Japan.
Tip #10: The more the merrier.
It is best to be prepared for any situation and to make several presentations. I recommend making a long (30 minutes) and short (10 minutes) PowerPoint presentation. You won’t know what your JTEs will want so it is best to be prepared for whatever. Make a non-computer friendly presentation, too.
Tip #11: Prepare for “It’s not working” moments.
So, this can and does happen. I cannot recommend enough to test out everything on the equipment that you have well in advance to your lesson. Also, have a back-up plan just in case the computer is down or any other unforeseen complications.
Tip #12: Relax and have fun.
At the end of the day, it is just a regular class. Not to mention you will be doing this presentation for at least two weeks so you will get the hang of it in no time. Have fun with it and the students will follow suit.
Well, there you have it.
(Taken from Toyama AJET)