Speaking task 4

What to say at parent-teacher conferences: one step at a time.

Before diving into the deep end, practice how to open and close the meeting. Read this article. What do teachers say to open the meeting? How do they close it? What else do they talk about?

It's important to welcome the parents/caregivers. Let them know where they can sit, for instance. Tell them that you're pleased to be able to speak with them, and then name the goal of the conversation. If you need, say how much time you expect to be speaking, and share strategies for longer conversations later on.

For instance:

• "Welcome! I'm so glad you're here. You may sit here."
• "We're just going to have a short chat about how well your child is adjusting to school. We only have 10 minutes, but if we need more time, then we can make a follow-up appointment."
• "I've been working with your child for ... weeks, and made some observations. I have also collected some work to share with you."
• "I'm interested to know if you see that the same way?"

As the conference comes to a close, round off by summarizing the conversation and naming any points of action. If a follow-up conversation is needed, pull out your agenda and make a plan.

For instance:

• "It's time for us to wrap up this conversation. We've spoken about..."
• "I've got these points of action to follow up on... and you've mentioned that you will..."
• "Let's make an appointment for a follow-up conversation. Do you have your agenda at hand?"
• "Thank you again for coming over. It's been good to speak with you."

Opening and closing the parent-teacher conference: In this exercise, you will only open and close the conversation. In the next exercise, you will start filling in the middle of the conversation. 

• One of you will be the teacher, the other will be the parent.
• Take turns 'welcoming' your classmate into the room, seating him/her down, and welcoming him/her to the conference.
• Round off the conversation and take your leave of each other.
• Change roles and repeat until you feel comfortable with this bit.

Speaking task 5

Use your mind map from the Vocabulary exercise. Work with a classmate. Take a moment to focus your thoughts on one of your learners, for you to talk about. Talk briefly about this child, so you both have an idea of what the child is like.

If you need, make a flow chart to help you structure your thoughts and contents for the meeting.

Speed date: divide the group into two equally large groups, group A (teachers) and group B (parents). Students from group A (teachers) sit apart from each other. Students from group B (parents) find a speaking partner from group A (teachers). Sit across from each other and talk about the questions below. After 5 minutes, group B (parents) switches speaking partners.  You can use any materials from the previous assignments as an aid in the conversation if appropriate.

• Welcome the parent and name the goal for the conversation.
• Name one or two positive observations about the child.
• Talk about something specific, for instance school rules, child behavior, the language situation or medical needs of the child.
• Round off the conversation.

For round 2, Group B stands up and finds a new partner. Repeat the process.

For round 3 and 4, Group A becomes the parents and Group B becomes the teacher. Repeat the process.

• What have you learned from the stories of other students?

For independent work using ChatGPT*:

Write down in a few bullet points about the topics provided. Give at least three observations.

After that you open ChatGPT and present your talk in your own words and support with observations.

Before speaking enter prompt 1 on ChatGPT: I want to discuss (insert topic here). Please listen and estimate my CEFR level of speaking. I also want to know if my observations sound specific and concrete.

• After speaking, enter prompt 2: Please estimate my CEFR level of speaking.
• After speaking, enter prompt 3: What suggestions can you make to make my observations more specific and concrete?
• After speaking, enter prompt 4: What suggestions can you make to improve my vocabulary and grammar, based on my speaking?

After each ‘After speaking’ prompt, make notes of the feedback ChatGPT gives.

*Please note: please do not share any personal data with ChatGPT, such as your own name, age, address, school, or other personal information.

Speaking task 6

In small groups you will practice a complete parent-teacher conference.  Use this document for ideas for topics:

• Topics for speaking task 6

If you want extra challenge, use this document with concrete scenarios (select one to work out in more detail):

• Scenarios for more challenging conversations

Work in groups of three or four. One is the teacher, one is the parent, one is the observer. If you are in a group of four, the fourth can be either the duo-teacher or another parent (of the same child). You will practice the conversation three times, so you can practice each role.

Here are the roles you will practice:

• Teacher: prepare a short explanation of what you have observed at school: behavior, language development, academic adjustment, and/ or social adjustment. For each topic, prepare a question to ask the parent(s).
• Parent: prepare a short explanation of what you have observed, for instance how the child has reacted to school, the teachers, classmates, or subjects. For each topic, prepare a question to ask the teacher(s).
• Observer: during the conversation, listen carefully and note feedback for each speaker.

For independent work using ChatGPT*:

Write down in a few bullet points about the topics provided. Give at least three observations.

After that you open ChatGPT and present your talk in your own words and support with observations.

Before speaking enter prompt 1 on ChatGPT: I want to discuss (insert topic here). Please listen and estimate my CEFR level of speaking. I also want to know if my observations sound specific and concrete.

• After speaking, enter prompt 2: Please estimate my CEFR level of speaking.
• After speaking, enter prompt 3: What suggestions can you make to make my observations more specific and concrete?
• After speaking, enter prompt 4: What suggestions can you make to improve my vocabulary and grammar, based on my speaking?

After each ‘After speaking’ prompt, make notes of the feedback ChatGPT gives.

*Please note: never share any personal data with ChatGPT, such as your own name, age, address, school, or other personal information.