Family

Below is some useful language that during the club session you might want to introduce, share, check or reference during the session.

Dysfunctional: when used in relation to families refers to the conflict and instability among family members.

Affectionate: means showing loving, warmth and kindness.

Blended family: a family that is formed when two people come together and bring a child or children from a previous relationship. (Step-mother/father; step-brother/sister; half-brother/sister)

Blood relative: someone you’re connected to through birth not marriage.

Breadwinner: the member of a family who earns most of the money that the family needs.

Close-knit family: a family that helps and supports each other.

Dysfunctional family: a family with conflict or problems amongst the members

Extended family: the part of the family that includes aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.

Immediate family: close family members mother, father, sons and daughters.

Single-parent families: are defined as those who are raising children after becoming divorced, widowed, single by choice.

Make sure you’re in the meeting space 10-15 mins before the club starts. Depending on your registration process make sure you’ve a register either to tick people’s names off or for people to add their names too. Also, make sure the suggestion box is visible for members to see and access.

Greet members as they enter, invite them to sit/stand wherever they are comfortable. 

Start the club at the advertised time:

1. Introduce yourself, what an English Club is, and your role during the club meeting.

2. Tell members there are five golden rules they need to follow to ensure this meeting is an enjoyable experience for everyone.

      I. Use English – don’t correct anyone’s English 

     II. Be respectful and supportive. You may have different levels of understanding and abilities to contribute to the discussions.

      III. Everyone has the right to an opinion.

     IV. Make sure everyone in your group has an opportunity to talk / ask questions. Max 3 mins per person per question.

      V. All mobile phones off or put on silent.

3. Ask members if they have any questions.

4. Ask members if they are ready to start.

Find someone who

1. Tell members they’re going to do a mingling activity: Find someone who

2. Share the find someone who grid (see Annex 1). Tell members the aim of this game is to be the first person to have a name for each question. They need to find someone who answers yes to each question. The first one to have a name of each question shouts stop and the game ends. Check members understand what they need to do.

3. Start the game, give no more than 7 mins. 

4. For feedback go through each name the winner collected.

Below are some questions, you don’t have to do all of them, let the club members guide you, if they are enjoying discussing one of the question rounds let it run beyond the 17 minutes.

Round 1: Question 1 (20 mins)

1. Put members into groups of 5-6 using different family members: mother, father, son, daughter, grandmother, grandfather etc. 

2. Tell each group to introduce themselves to each other.

3. Show / give each group the first question: What are the advantages and the disadvantages of family life in (country)?  

4. Give support where needed. Encourage turn-taking / asking questions.

5. If members answer the question very quickly get them to discuss: How would you describe your country family values; Has family life changed in your country? What has/hasn’t changed and why?

6. After 17 mins facilitate feedback. Invite members to share some advantages about family life in Sudan. 

Round 2: Question 2 (20 mins)

1. Put members into groups of 5-6 using different marital relationships: divorced, engaged, married, single, separated, widowed etc. 

2. Tell each group to introduce themselves to each other.

3. Show / give each group the second question: Is it better for mothers to stay at home with their children or go to work to earn more money for the family? 

4. Monitor, give support where needed. Encourage turn-taking / asking questions.

5. If members answer the question very quickly get them to discuss: What role does money play in family relationships; Who do you think has the most power in the family? Why?

6. After 17 mins facilitate feedback. Invite members to share the most interesting part of their discussion. 

Round 3: Question 3 (20 mins)

1. Put members into groups of 5-6 using different English words used to describe family relationships: brotherly, sisterly, loving, competitive, dysfunctional etc. 

2. Tell each group to introduce themselves to each other.

3. Show / give each group the third question: Are the roles of men and women equal in the family home? Why/why not?

4. Monitor, give support where needed. Encourage turn-taking / asking questions.

5. If members answer the question very quickly get them to discuss: Why is forgiveness important in family relationships? What are the pros and cons of single-parent families? 

6. After 17 mins facilitate feedback. Invite members to share what their group members would change, if anything and why.

1. Ask members how their meeting went.

2. Ask members if the club met their expectations.

3. Tell members there’s a suggestion box (point to it) where they can share topic ideas or activities we could do.

4. Tell members when the next club is and what the theme/topic is. Encourage them to come / bring a colleague etc.

5. Thank everyone for coming.

If the members enjoyed the club session you could share the following resources with them either on Facebook or in the English Club WhatsApp group:

Day in the life of Korean family weekend - YouTube

What role do you play in your family? | Common family roles - YouTube

Modern family: what are families like today? - Smartencyclopedia

Why is the family so important to Muslims? | Discover Islam