I teach Adult ESL at a private language school in the US. These are 8-week intensive courses, 4hrs/day, 5 days/wk. Our students are mostly Koreans who live in isolated Korean communities where they don't need to speak English. I love my job. Although I'm not the most dynamic and interesting teacher, I try to incorporate as many methods into my classes. I use a variety of activities including gap-fills, cloze, role plays, 'games', etc. I have text books, a CD player and a whiteboard. I'm constantly online searching for pictures, worksheets and easy to understand role play scenarios. Any realia and photos come from my own pocket money; I've spent more money and time than I can afford in an attempt to make the classroom as 'real' as possible. I do this by choice.

Every session I teach a different level, from beginner to advanced. My problem is that by Week 5 my Ss are frustrated and feel as if they're not progressing as fast as they want. It's like clockwork. Doesn't matter what level. It's got to be me! I sincerely try to keep up the energy, but when I issue these people homework they don't do it. (I try to make the load light, even though they do have time to answer a few questions to refresh the lessons.) I feel like all we do is Review, Practice and take Tests.

Problem 1: I tried taking them on field trips. I prepped them a day in advance with questions they needed to be prepared to ask. They had the bones and created the sentences. I checked them and told them to study the questions. I informed them 'why' we're going to, say, Macy's. Whether they understand me or not, they KNOW they should be speaking and not me. Again, come trip time, none of the Ss bring their 'cheat sheets' and they all stare at me like lost puppies. I take the lead and ask one of them where the restrooms are. I say, "Please ask someone." But the student is too shy and only leads us on a hunt around the store looking.

What am I doing wrong with these field trips?

Problem 2: Pictures and Role Play. Yes, field trips are great resources when you're actually in an English speaking country. But they're time consuming. So I use pics to initiate conversations. With my current Level 1 Beginners, we study the content, I have them look at a pic. in the book and write 10 sentences and 3-4 questions and by Friday they should be able to look at the picture in the book and make 3 sentences and 3 questions for a 'speaking test'. One of my Ss looked at me and frustratedly said, "Teacher. I can't look at a picture and imagine sentences. I have to feel, walk and see them moving around me." I understand this, but I can't take them out on field trips all the time. This same adult student said that he wants me to teach them more slang, like the stuff in video games. I don't play video games! How much more work do I need to do on my own time to make his learning experience beneficial?

The students won't do role plays even when I give them scenarios to start with. These are structured forms that they just need to take from their own life experiences and use. What am I doing wrong with pictures and role plays?