ALL AROUND ME

Abstract

The purpose of this portfolio is to prepare Korean students for the upcoming NEAT (National English Ability Test), which would be a requirement for them beginning 2013. The NEAT also requires practical English knowledge and subject knowledge in English, but Korean students are not prepared for this. Therefore, this portfolio will take TBI (Theme-based Instruction) approach. The TBI approach is a sub-category of CBI (Content-based Instruction). The difference between TBI and CBI is that for TBI, and English teacher without area specialization may teach the class based on specific themes such as science or math. On the other hand, a CBI teacher is a content specialist who teaches a specific subject like math or science in English. The tutoring is organized with twelve students in a group, and it is targeted at fifth and sixth grade students in elementary school. The target students learned English for several years and who had similar English proficiency levels but different preferences and learning styles. Most of the target students are in pre-intermediate language proficiency, which means they can comprehend high frequency grammar structures. They are able to maintain listen and response in conversation, but the students still make errors and hesitation in low frequency and complex structure in topics related to subject knowledge. Therefore it is necessary for the target learners to have opportunities for using and practice productive language skills, speaking and writing. Especially Cross-curricular activity will be helpful because they can organize what they have learned in L1 subject class based on ordinary life topics.