Teaching english to multilevel classes

Sibling Support: Brother and Sister

In this interaction, a brother and sister discuss the future, particularly in regards to employment and health issues.
Language to practice: Work vocabulary, legal vocabulary, medical vocabulary, expressions about feelings, phrases for hypothetical situations and thinking about the future.
Role A, brother: You and your younger sister used all your money to move to the U.S. where you were able to get a job. The job is hard work and does not pay much, but it is worth the advantages of being in the U.S. Recently, a friend offered you a better job, one that pays much more and is more appealing to you. But the conditions for the job are that you have to move to Chicago and you have to come alone. Your sister is not well and has just entered the hospital. What will you do? Prepare to discuss the situation with your sister. Goal: Be able to take care of yourself and your sister.
Role B, sister: You and your brother used all your money to move to the U.S. where you both have jobs. You had to quit your job just this week because of poor health. In fact, you are currently in the hospital. You hate it there for many reasons, but one big reason is because you do not speak English well. The doctor said you can leave if you can prove you have someone at home to take care of you. Discuss this matter with your brother, who lives with you. Goal: Leave the hospital.

Meet the Family: Couple and Parents

Language to practice: Family and household vocabulary, expressions of affection and love, questions and answers.
Role A, husband: You married a woman from another country, who you have known for many years, but you eloped and did not tell your family. You have invited your family to your house to meet her and to break the news that you have gotten married. Goal: Your parents will forgive your secrecy and embrace your new wife as a member of the family.
Role B, mother: Your son has returned from a six month job assignment in another country. He has brought a girl home with him, but you have not met her yet. You are concerned that he brought this girl with him after such a short time in the country. You are about to meet her and see your son for the first time since he came home. What will you say to her? Goal: Your son and the mystery woman will live nearby, rather than traveling or living overseas.
Role C, father: Your son works for your company. He took a six month placement overseas for the company, but he did not successfully complete the job assignment while he was there. You have heard at the office that he may lose his job because of it. You are going to dinner at your son’s house before he returns to work on Monday. What will you say to your son? How will you prepare him for what his boss will say on Monday? Goal: Your son is able to keep his job.
Role D, wife: You have invited your in-laws to your house for dinner. You go into the kitchen when they arrive so your husband can greet them first. There you discover that dinner has burned. What will you say to your in-laws? Goal: Make a really good impression on your new in-laws.

If you are teaching a multilevel class, take heart. With a little experience and the knowledge of how to run a strategic interaction, you will have all of your class members successfully participating in class in no time.

Try out these sample interactions, and start having fun with all your students!