Nervous and Excited

So I'm not quite sure what to expect in the coming weeks but I've already started thinking about what my group should do for our first meeting, especially after reading the ESL Conversation Groups email thread and the final blog posts of past facilitators of this class.

Attendance definitely seems like it was an issue for all facilitators and I'm trying to brainstorm how to make this a non-issue for this semester (though I'm sure I won't be able to completely eradicate the problem). I was thinking of discussing expectations with the conversation group on the first day so they know what I want from them and what they want from me. But I'm also worried that is too authoritative. I want to be friends with these people, not their teacher. But it could work. Sending out reminder emails also seems like a good idea. Maybe creating a facebook page? There's lots of options and hopefully our group can discuss them together while keeping in mind that there is an expectation that they should be attending every meeting.

As for the first meeting's topic...I was thinking of starting with the really generic questions: what's your name, where are you from, what are you studying, etc. Though everyone hears these all the time, these really are great starting points for a conversation. When I've gone on trips with international students before, what you study and what you plan to do in the future are always really interesting questions. Especially in a country where employment and social structures are different. So I guess you could say my plan for conversation is not to have a plan and to just get to know each other on broad terms for the first meeting. Also, I may make cookies...We'll see.

As for location...I think Scott said the first day we'll be meeting in a certain location. If not, I'll probably choose a more academic setting for the first meeting and then discuss with the group what they want to do from there. I know I'm really interested in trying different places for lunch. I also have not been able to explore Ann Arbor's food scene all that much. And since it is something the city is rather well known for, I'd like to try. But again! This all depends on what my group wants, like all my other ideas so far.

In the final blog posts, some facilitators mentioned planning activities and even sharing international opportunities around campus. I think that's a really good idea! I was thinking maybe every week all the participants can bring in a cool event that's going on in the next week or so. This could help participants learn about the diverse campus life while also including all Chat Cafe participants in international and cultural activities.

I have lots of ideas but none concrete yet. I'm nervous and excited to start the Chat Cafes and I hope I learn a lot from my group!