1. Have a verb. It could be to set up a story or just a verb you want to work on.
2. Focus on a kid. It may be one who just as class is starting seems to need some attention. Or it could be a real quiet kid. There is no wrong kid to talk about. You’ll know the one.
3. Point to the verb and its translation behind you.
4. So far you have a kid and a verb. (In one of my classes it was the most quiet kid in the class, but she became the focal point.)
5. Smiling and breaking out your best PSA, say, “Class, Mirei speaks!” Don’t beg for answers – it lowers you and freaks out your inner child. Just tell them that first sentence (see PSA category for more on how to do this).
6. Having stated that and written it down on the board with translation, start circling. Just talk about Mirei. Ask if she speaks too much or too little, a lot or only on Wednesdays. Follow the energy. She may end up being a student who talks too much with (some celebrity) at (some location), if you play the “where” and “with whom” cards.
(New people note that Mirei is nodding her head to answer, or maybe saying “yes” and “no” to your questions. She is not speaking. She is not ready to speak.)
The point about this way of starting a CI class is to personalize the class – it beats CI instruction that is not personalized. Usually the kid will end up in the story.
It may not become a story, but using PSA in this way is a good way to start getting reps on your first structure. The PSA personalizes it; the one verb keeps it simple. The rep counter may record as many as 50 reps in the first ten minutes of class.
Try it. Comment below. It is a good powerful move to start any CI class.