teaching English in a business - the legal department
 

I have been offered an exciting opportunity to teach one-on-one with a lawyer from Madagascar (first language is Malagsy/French). He attended ESL training last year (with another teacher) and is now an intermediate level.
Can anyone share their experience on how I should approach this new student and the four week course he has requested.
Assessing? Testing? Suggested reading for me and the student? Thanks.
Trainee 1

Re: teaching English in a business - the legal department
 

I'd definitely begin with a needs assessment. Since he is an intermediate student, he should be able to communicate what his needs are. He should tell you what he specifically needs in each skill area, and he should also tell you what his interests are. At my adult school, each new student takes placement tests in speaking, writing and reading. These can be very enlightening. You may have access to records of the student, since you mentioned that he had another teacher before.

Re: teaching English in a business - the legal department
 

Since you are teaching a highly educated student, you are at an advantage right away . I would assume this person is very motivated to learn English. Besides your standard lessons that address reading, writing, listening comp... I would sit down with this student and figure out his goals. What kind of speaking situations will he be facing in the future? If he is expected to communicate in English using law terms I would spend time working on those terms. When students work towards a specific goal, especially one that is geared toward their job/future, they are more likely to retain the language and get a lot out of the class. Good luck!

Re: teaching English in a business - the legal department
 

Thank you for the suggestions. Assessment seems to be the initial step. any suggestions on text books or material with lesson plans, curriculum and syllabus?
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