Instituto Cultural Dominico Americano

Language School
Adult Program- Guide for teachers from ADB-00 & ADB-01
Adult Basic 00 & 1 are our entry levels where the greatest number of students enroll, and they are also
the most crucial levels for the institution. Based on the experience students have in these levels, they
decide if to continue learning English in our institution or to drop out. In past cycles we have observed
that the number of students that drop out at this level is more than 30% and we would appreciate your
cooperation in finding ways to retain most of the students in these levels.

Part of your job as adult basic 00 teacher is to welcome students, make them aware of Dominico-
Americano’s policies, what it requires to learn a new language and what is expected from them.

First Day of class procedure for Adult Basic 00 & 01

→ Teacher’s Expectations: your expectations guide students to comply with them. Share with them
what kind of performance and behavior you expect to see in class.
→ Get to know your students and let them get to know you. (Name, Hobbies, Prior knowledge, etc.)
→ Share with them information/tips about what learning a new language means and requires. The
time, effort and discipline required to learn it.
→ Explain students the reason why you’ll speak English at all times in your classes. Following TESOL
standards immersing students in an only English environment helps them to acquire the language
quicker and them being exposed to the language as much as possible. Also, it helps them to
reinforce getting the meaning of the words from the context.
→ How to use the textbook (number of units, skills worked on, units for the midterm and final exam,
etc.)
→ Grading System
→ Online Homework Deadline
→ Language School policies
→ Practice Exam

Questions to ask your students on the first day

• What are the expectations of the students during the first day of class?
• Why do they want to learn English?
• What learning a language means? How long will it take for them to learn the language?
• How do they normally learn? What can they do to learn English?
• What are their hopes and dreams about learning English?
• What are their fears about learning English?
• Why have they chosen the Dominico?
• What do they expect to do when you learn English?

These questions will help your students vent out and express their feelings. They will also give you the
chance to listen to their concerns and guide them through the process of losing their fears and gaining
tools to be more prepared to learn the language. These questions should be asked in Spanish to better
understand what the students think and feel.
 Instituto Cultural Dominico Americano
Language School
Adult Program- Guide for teachers from ADB-00 & ADB-01
Useful Expressions to know

How do you say _________ in English? Repeat after me

May I go to the restroom? What does _______ mean?

What page are we on? Can you speak louder?

Could you please repeat that? Could you speak more slowly?

How do you pronounce______? Come to the board.

How do you spell ___________? Have you finished?

I don’t understand, could you explain again? Are you ready?

Work with your partner/ Get together with your Take your book out
partner/ Get in groups of _____.
Please, Turn the page
Raise your hand
Is this wrong or right?

General Tips to acquire the language

Listening to audios in English/ Listening to music in English/ Playing the audios from the
textbook at home
Speaking in English
Learning from your mistakes
Reviewing the material that has been taught, at home
When you learn a new word, try to use it as often as possible
Dedicating additional time at home to learn the language

Take notes of what your students mention, so you can later on take them into consideration when
planning your lessons.