Teaching someone ,nothing to work with

[Gord]

Hey guys,
I recently got set up with a teaching job, normal gaijin thing right? well I get to the place, and it's some kid with big plans for the teofl test, and plans to go to canada, the kid can count to 10 and that might be it. oh dear. I don't speak enough japanese to be able to explain in japanese, so I have no idea where to even start. The kid doesn't know enough english to tell me what he wants to learn, either. Any suggestions?

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Well...

if you have access to a PC or laptop and the internet, you could steer him to tons of learning sites and help him use them?

Frank

☝

 

[TwistedMac]

looks like you're gonna have to start at grass-root level Gord...

like picture books and have him say the word.. "apple....apple.... no, not "preschool", APPLE!"

 

[misa.j]

Are you teaching in Japan or the U.S.?

The kid reminds me of myself when I just started to learn how to speak English in Japan. When I took my first skill test at NOVA, I had absolutely no clue what the instructor was saying.

You can speak to him very slowly, as slowly as giving a pose in between the words. Like What - is - your - name?
And then increase the speed using the same sentence. I know it will be frustrating for you.
Normal pronounciation and speed sound totally foreign to him at first, and it'll take some time for his ears to open up for English.

Do you have any information regarding TOEFL?
There are tons of text books for TOEFL that are written with Japanese guidelines, if he wishes to use them.
I will add a link to practice test of TOEFL.
http://www.testmagic.com/Knowledge_Base/TOEFL/Structure/index.htm