This semester I have to help teach another English course to a class of professionals in another learning institution. Today, during my class in which I have prepared a ton to slides to be shown on the screen, the unthinkable happened.
There was a blackout.
So I took the class outdoors. Luckily there was a cafe right outside the class, which was closed on a Saturday.
The students helped me transport the whiteboard out to the corridor.
I tried my best to think of an exercise they could do in groups which would compel them to do research, write then speak.
In the meantime, the exercise also helped in getting the students to form a proper persuasive essay structure.
One thing is certain: These folks, unlike my much younger regular students, had no hangups about public speaking.
The topics I chose for the exercise correlated to the topics in the course module.
Finally they were finished! Mission accomplished, and without any electrical power.