Hello,

You’ve got to create a GREAT first impression, you don’t get a second chance!

So these are my top tips for the very first lesson of the year ….

1. For brand new beginner students (where you have control of what to teach) 

Just start with lesson 1.   The beginning is always the best place to start 😀. It’s proven, it works and students LOVE it.

Ninja Tip:  Do start at lesson one,  don’t jump further on, unless you want to miss out on the all important mindset techniques that make Genki English so different! 

2.  For brand new beginner students where you don’t have control … 

If you don’t have control of your curriculum (e.g. if you have to follow a textbook or government curriculum),  make a list of the topics you will teach and then write down the corresponding Genki English activities to spice them up.  See how I did it to great success in Thailand & Tanzania here.

Ninja Tip : If you can get Genki English done before you even start the compulsory curriculum then you get the best of both worlds,  all the mindset and confidence of Genki English with the knowledge that you can now whizz through the textbook with ease! 

3.  For returning Genki students …. 

If they’ve been doing their homework every day in the holidays you probably don’t need this,  but if not, you’ll probably need a review session (or maybe 2!) at the beginning of term.   Here’s a list of my top 10 favouirte games to do this, from “Soldiers & Ninjas” to “Hop the Dog” to “The Lines Game”   Enjoy!

4. For new higher level students or returning students who haven’t done Genki English before ….. 

If you have new higher level students that still need a bit of a basics review or confidence building then start with the curriculum level 1 ( so you cover the all important mindset & pronunciation points) but tell them it’s “just a fun review.”

If they really do know their stuff, they’ll whizz through the lessons & games really quickly and then naturally slow down when you find their real level!

There you go , do any of those ideas help?   Do let me know!

Be genki,

Richard