How can I tutor "American expression" to a Korean man?

Question

He is interested in learning the way Americans speak, and is hoping to become a fluent conversational speaker. I have not had a student like this, do you have any ideas?

Answer 1

I've found that the best way for me to teach Korean adults is to use idioms, life situations, and help with difficult English pronunciations.

Use idioms that are very common. If you print a list of idioms for the student, cross out the uncommon ones so that he can focus on the common ones.

Chose a life situation such as eating at a restaurant. What do you say if you don't like your table and you want to move? How do you make a reservation? How do you tell the Waiter that you want to pay the bill? How do you order your food? Other life situation that could be used include getting around in an airport, using a taxi, finding your way around on a college campus and talking to teachers, and how to have a telephone conversation.

Koreans have a very hard time with differentiating between 'L' and 'R'. Have him practice saying 'walk', 'work', 'word', and 'world'. 'th', 'F', and 'P' are also difficult for them.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Answer 2

Try to introduce a set of idioms everyday and explain when these are used.. common idioms like "don't mention it", "no kidding", "break a leg".. search more online or use this book titled "Can you believe it? 1-4".. if you have tapes or cds that has dialogues in it, let him listen for the intonation and pronunciation.. books like "Interactions 1 & 2" is helpful.. and also advice him to watch english movies or shows more often.. he could also go to www.m-w.com for proper pronunciatin guide