Training FAQ

Outlook 2011 Training FAQ What are students learning in the training? They’re learning speaking skills. They learn to describe pictures and objects in preparation for Round I and II events. We cover a wide range of topics (colors, numbers, people and places) and grammar points (compound-complex sentences, prepositions and interjections). For more information refer to the Outlook Information for Parents sheet you receive when you sign up for training. It has a full syllabus with sample sentences. What materials are the students using in class? The students learn from materials produced to be as similar to competition standards as possible. We use one team to produce both the actual competition materials and training materials. What materials do students have to study with at home? I highly recommend you purchase the Ultimate Outlook Book – it contains everything we’ve produced and used for our training and events in 2009 and 2010. It has lesson plans, worksheets, tips and tricks, and even actual testing standards. (That’s a lot of content and a lot of it is still very useful.) Parents who sign up for training also receive a new Outlook Practice Pack in their e-mail every week. Every Practice Pack contains competition rules, new materials, and tips and tricks. Practice Packs are the best way to review lessons at home. Why aren’t teachers carrying books into class? It’s a speaking class. We focus on speaking skills. Class materials are primarily PowerPoint presentations which we share on our computer network. How can students learn without a book? The Socratic method – sort of. Teachers first coax the functions of speech from students and challenge those. Then we focus on form. Books are static and can be “finished.” Speech training is never “finished.” It’s individual to each student. My child can’t speak English! Our teachers will make them speak English. What results can we expect? Can my child go to National? We can’t guarantee results. We can guarantee growth. Our students have a history of doing well, but that’s a personal thing. If a student makes excellence in this competition his or her primary and personal goal, he or she will do extremely well – maybe even national. Every parent wants their student to excel. Not every student has made Outlook a priority in his or her life, though. The students who do reap the best rewards. I’m not convinced. I don’t think we need this training. In the past two years we’ve produced two national contestants ranked #6 and #31 respectively. This is our third year of hosting the Outlook competition and providing training for our students. This is a mature and proven program. Ten lessons is a short-term investment proven to provide long-term benefits for your child. Renato Ganoza for EF Zhengzhou, 2011