A student learning English as a Second Language by total immersion (living with English speakers, only speaking English for two to four weeks, for example) is at a distinct advantage when it come to ‘homework’ – mostly there isn’t any! Because the student is living, eating, breathing the language, everything outside the classroom is ‘homework’, isn’t it.

Watching TV, listening to the Radio, conversation at the table, going out and about and hearing conversation (even joining in with increasing confidence) all combine to ‘coach’ outside the classroom. If you have a class that meets once or twice a week, though, it’s important that any homework that is set is both relevant and interesting. Keep it personal. With that in mind – the fact that ME MYSELF I are everyone’s favourite subject, try the following instruction and see what you get back the following lesson: “For your homework I want you to write a diary of what you did today, starting with when you woke up this morning, and finishing with when you go to bed tonight.

Maybe you will have to finish it when you wake up tomorrow morning! This diary is only one page long, and it should include times, events and feelings” The product is likely to amuse and bemuse as you go through the offerings. The exercise will help with times and tenses, and is appropriate at any English level – the end product will just be of a different consistency, that’s all. People learn best when they are engaged, involved, interested, captivated even, by a subject. It’s the old saying again: tell me, I’ll forget; show me and I might remember; involve me and I’ll understand. A diary, simple or more complex, is about as personal as you can get, isn’t it?

Andrew is a qualified TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) teacher, with 15 years experience of the global Automotive Industry as a Sales manager with an International component and systems supplier. For more information about learning English with Andrew at his home in the UK, visit the Lets Talk 2 website. http://lets-talk2.com/_wsn/page2.html