Reading Ebooks For People: Good idea?

[FatGuy]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

It is admirable that you want to use some of your time to help people learn English. But rather than just going with your first idea on how you could do this with the equipment to hand, perhaps you should ask the advice of people who do this full time, and see how your time could be used towards your chosen goal most effectively.

I really like the idea of helping people who are learning English.

What do you mean by "equipment to hand"? My equipment is basically just my ebooks, Skype and my headset microphone.

Thanks.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by FatGuy

What do you mean by "equipment to hand"? My equipment is basically just my ebooks, Skype and my headset microphone.

Exactly what I said. You have a desire to help. You have to hand ebooks, a headset and skype. So you have considered how you can help using the equipment you have to hand.

But consider that more experienced people in the field of teaching English as a Second Language exist. To make the most of your time and energy, it would be a good idea to consult them on the best way to apply yourself to your chosen task.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

But consider that more experienced people in the field of teaching English as a Second Language exist. To make the most of your time and energy, it would be a good idea to consult them on the best way to apply yourself to your chosen task.

Co-signed. It is not as though there is any shortage of people speaking English on the web. Teaching English is a whole lot more than that.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by meeera

Co-signed. It is not as though there is any shortage of people speaking English on the web. Teaching English is a whole lot more than that.

Completely agreeing.
It isn't just reading to people.

Now if one wants to just read to people, might I suggest visiting your local nursing home. They would appreciate it.

[AnnieWhere]

I love the idea of helping people, your project idea seems really nice! I totally agree that you should consider reading in your local nursing home. I visit one in my hometown once a month. Especially the Grannies are so thankful, they appreciate my company a lot. And I don't do a lot, sometimes we're just sitting in the garden talking about flowers or so. Many of them like it when you read to them, so you really should consider doing that. And by the way: To make yourself visible try an own homepage. Here you can find a com domain for your project. It may help you to find people who can help you bringing your idea to life and also finding people who are looking for someone like you. Many grans are still at home and feel alone, cause family can't find time to read to them, talk to them like they need it. So a homepage seems a good chance that those families can find you.

Good luck to you and your really lovely idea!!

[FatGuy]

Thanks so much for the supportive replies!

I'm still focused on reading ebooks to people on Skype rather than in real life.

I'm interested in how one meeera said that there is more to teaching English than just being able to speak English. Could someone fill me in on what else is needed to be a good English teacher?

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by FatGuy

Thanks so much for the supportive replies!

I'm still focused on reading ebooks to people on Skype rather than in real life.

I'm interested in how one meeera said that there is more to teaching English than just being able to speak English. Could someone fill me in on what else is needed to be a good English teacher?

A good education. A very good command of the language. And most importantly knowing teaching methods.
Just reading to someone will not teach a person English.
If the other person cannot see the book, it will be totally useless.

Full disclosure: I have worked as a tutor/special needs helper/worked with the local reading program for a bit. Also attempted to teach someone English. That one was almost impossible and that was in person.

If you really want to help, contact your local English as a second language group.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

If you really want to help, contact your local English as a second language group.

This. Knowing history doesn't make you a good history teacher. Knowing how to do carpentry doesn't make you a good woodwork teacher. On the flip side, watching someone do history isn't learning history, and watching someone do woodwork isn't learning carpentry.

Teaching is a huge skillset all of its own. If you want to be a teacher, you could investigate your local universities and colleges for teaching degrees. If you don't wish to get qualifications, you could investigate local volunteer opportunities to be an aide, if they take unqualified aides - schools, community literacy programmes, etc. You haven't mentioned where in the world you are, so there's not a lot more anyone here can offer in terms of suggestions. Or, as mentioned above, there is always Librivox.

[FatGuy]

Thanks!

I'm still trying to find some interesting things to read to students learning English.

[meeera]

Above all, good teaching involves listening to input, thinking about it deeply, and being flexible and adaptable.

[FatGuy]

I really appreciate your reply!

I'd love to hear some advice on stories from a website/ebook I can read to people.

[meeera]

dear gods.

[HarryT]

You started this thread six months ago. What have you actually done in that time?

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by meeera

dear gods.

^This^...

[FatGuy]

Originally Posted by HarryT

You started this thread six months ago. What have you actually done in that time?

I've been helping people a lot via Skype by reading with them online newspaper articles as these are easy to find and aren't too sophisticated for someone learning English. The people I'm reading too have some stories they've asked me to read as well.

I just wanted to know if anyone could recommend a profound text that changed how humans viewed things, like the American Constitution.