Taylor TP #2

TP # 2

Date/Time: September 3, 2014

Location: Strozier Library

Topic/Skill: Speaking and Listening

The other day I had a tutoring session with Gabriela and Ademir who recently moved from Brazil to Tallahassee. They have both been studying English in Brazil for a year and a half and have come to Tallahassee to take the TOEFL test in December. Once they are admitted to FSU they plan to study civil engineering. When I asked them what their biggest weaknesses were when studying English they both said that they were having trouble with speaking and listening.

They both seem very enthusiastic to improve their English and asked me to correct any grammar errors. Neither of them had homework left to work on so we just practiced speaking. I asked them questions about their move to Tallahassee and what they like and dislike so far. Near the end of the session Ademir asked me what the difference is between the words "talk", "speak", and "say". These words confuse them because they have very similar meanings, but are often used in different contexts. As a native speaker it was difficult to explain, but I plan to have a better answer for them by our next tutoring session.