Teaching English in China–Final Exams! – Writer. Traveler. Tea Drinker.

Three years ago I came up with a great idea for the final exam in speaking class: each student has to teach 20 minutes of class. I did it once, three years ago, and haven’t had the opportunity to do it again…until this semester.
With thirty students in a class this takes at least 5 weeks, sometimes more. I’m not gonna lie, it’s awesome for me because for 1/3 of the semester I don’t need to prepare, or teach class.

But it’s awesome for the class as well, because with the students in the drivers seat they have so much more fun. I really stressed that they should teach class specifically to their classmates and their classmates interest and I have to say, they have gotten a lot more participation out of each other than I ever expected. They also came up with some ideas I’m totes stealing in future years.

So what did they do this time? Well, here’s some pictures.

In the first week, one class did a "recycled materials" fashion show. They brought in paper, newspaper, garbage bags etc and the students were given time to create clothes and have a catwalk. — *In the first week, one class did a “recycled materials” fashion show. They brought in paper, newspaper, garbage bags etc and the students were given time to create clothes and have a catwalk.*

teaching English in China, Xiamen — *I was a student, and this boy was my group. We dressed him up in newspaper undies. I made the hat.*

After the catwalk, they choose the "best dressed" and she got to give a speech, thanking everyone. Needless to say, this class went over incredibly well. — *After the catwalk, they choose the “best dressed” and she got to give a speech, thanking everyone. Needless to say, this class went over incredibly well.*

In one class they talked about the Chinese tradition of paper cutting and then we all got to make "double happiness" a common wedding papercut. Even I managed to do a good job. — *In one class they talked about the Chinese tradition of paper cutting and then we all got to make “double happiness” a common wedding papercut. Even I managed to do a good job.*

In one class a student taught everyone about puppets n history and culture. Then we all got our own little puppet of popular cartoon characters and had to do make up a little play. — *In one class a student taught everyone about puppets in history and culture. Then we all got our own little puppet of popular cartoon characters and had to do a little play.*

This boy had to auction himself off. Not only was he a boy who could cook and clean but he was a prince from the famous city of Atlantis. — One class talked about auctions and the history of auctions. Then they had an auction themselves. This biy sold himself as a boy who could cook and clean AND he was a “prince from the famous city of Atlantis.” He sold for about $40,000.

The students are required to send me a teaching plan several days before which I approve or change. The classes are mostly girls with only 1-4 boys. So when I got a lesson plan from a boy and his topic was makeup, I was a little surprised. Not only did he have a good teaching portion, he let his classmates put makeup on him, which they LOVED. Then he ended it by talking about how all girls are beautiful without makeup. It was a great lesson.

This was a fun "spinny" game until I was worried someone was gonna kill themselves (don't worry, she was caught.) — This was a fun “spinny” game until I was worried someone was gonna kill themselves (don’t worry, she was caught. She had actually only turned around 3 times, but seemed to be especially dizzy. Everyone else handled it okay.)

No one would ever accuse me of being a strict teacher. But to me, I see successful teaching as getting the students to use, and enjoy using, the language. I want them to use it while speaking to each other, and not just me. And this final exam fit the bill. It got them to speak a lot, got each other speaking, and even better we all had a great time. That’s a win-win for me even if we never opened a textbook.

P.S. It also means the semester is over! Summer holiday has arrived! Woot!

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