This document provides information and guidance about parent-teacher conferences. It begins with an agenda that includes activities to learn about conferences, such as reviewing vocabulary, listening to a dialogue, and discussing tips for before, during and after conferences. The document then discusses the purpose of conferences and when they are held. It provides questions parents should ask and tips like talking to their child, preparing questions, being on time, asking about progress, and following up. Case studies offer scenarios to discuss and there is a dictation activity. The goal is to help parents maximize their time at conferences.

1. Make the Most of your Parent-
Teacher Conference
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2. Our Agenda
1. Agenda
2. Objectives
3. Introductions
4. Activity 1: Class discussion
5. Activity 2: Review vocabulary
6. Activity 3: Listen to a dialogue
7. Activity 4: What to do before, during and after a parent teacher conference
8. Activity 5: discussion questions
9. Activity 6: Dictation

3. Workshop Objectives
1. To learn 8 new words
2. To learn about the purpose of parent
teacher interviews
3. To learn what to do before, during and
after a parent teacher conference

4. • What is your name?
• Where are you from?
Introductions

5. Join us in a group discussion
Activity 1

6. • Have you ever participated in a
parent teacher conference?
• How did it go?
Group discussion

7. Let’s review the vocabulary
Activity 2

8. Activity one: Vocabulary Review
Member of a nation
Something that you can improve upon
A rule as to what clothes may be worn
To be clear and to the point
To take part in a certain activity
To improve your performance
Something that you are good at
A meeting
To ask questions to check your understanding
strength
Weaknessconference
to be direct
To make progress
To participate
To ask for clarification
Dress code

9. Activity two: fill-in-the- blank
1. My child needs to improve his reading skills. This is his __________.
2. It is great if our children can ______________ in the meeting with their teachers.
3. When is the ____________ with your teacher?
4. What can my child do _____________________ in his math skills?
5. Iliana is a great writer. This is one of her _____________.
6. When asking questions of the teacher, we must ______________ .
7. Does this school have a _______________ ?
8. If you have any questions about what is said in a meeting, be sure to
__________________.
conferencebe directstrengths ask for clarification
to make progressweakness participateDress code

10. Let’s listen to a dialogue
Activity 3
What did Johanna learn about parent –
teacher conferences in Manitoba?

11. Listen to a dialogue:
Johanna
Alicia
Johanna
Alicia
Johanna
Alicia
Johanna
Alicia
Johanna
Alicia
How was your night?
Wonderful! I just got back from a parent –teacher interview.
It sounds like it went well.
It sure did. I am so glad I attended that seminar last week.
What seminar was that? Oh, I remember … the one about parent-teacher interviews.
That must have been very helpful.
Well, we began speaking about Maria’s strengths and then discussed her weaknesses.
Next week I’ll be going to a parent-teacher conference. Do you have any advice?
It sure was, because afterwards we were able to speak about her progress.
So, what kinds of things did you discuss?

12. Listen to a dialogue:
Johanna
Alicia
Johanna
Alicia
Johanna
Alicia
Johanna
Alicia
Johanna
Alicia
Sure, for one thing, be direct, and if you have any questions always ask
for clarification.
Good points. I do have a few questions for my child’s teacher.
What questions do you have for her?
For one thing, I want to confirm the dress code.
That’s an important point to discuss. Anything else?
Yes, I really want to know how she participates in class.
I can understand that.
Remember to arrive early and have all your questions ready.
You really want to maximize your time!
Great points. Thank you!
You’re so welcome. See you later!

13. Let’s discuss how you can maximize your
next parent-teacher interview
Activity 4

14. A. Basic information:
Three things you
should know about
parent-teacher
Interviews:

15. 1. What is it all about?
A parent teacher conference is a
meeting between you and your child’s
teacher.

16. 2. When may I have a conference
with my child’s teacher?
• They usually happen:
1. at the beginning of the school year.
2. at report time.
3. 1f ever you or your child’s teacher believe
it to be necessary.

17. 3. Why should I attend a parent-
teacher conference?
Parent teacher conferences will give you a
good opportunity to speak to your child’s
teacher.

18. B. Parent- Teacher Conference
Tips
we are now going to consider
some parent-teacher conference
tips for before, during and after
the conference:

19. Before the conference: talk to your child!
1.How do you feel about school?
2.Are there any questions you’d like to ask the
teacher?
3.Let your child know the parent- teacher
interview is about helping him/ her?

20. Before the conference: think about the
questions you would ask
1.Does my child participate in school?
2.Does my child finish his/ her work on time?
3.What can I do to help my child at home?
4. What are my child’s strengths and
weaknesses?
5. Does my child seem happy at school?

21. 2.During the conference
1.Be on time!
2.End the meeting on time!
3.Relax and be yourself!
4. Ask about your child’s progress
5. Ask for clarification if you don’t understand
6. Remember to ask how you can help your
child at home

22. 3.After the conference: Communicate
with your child and your child’s
teacher!
1. Talk about positive points, but be direct if
there are problems
2. Let the teacher know that you want to stay
in contact throughout the year
3. Talk to your child about the conference
4. Tell your child about the plans you and the
teacher have created

23. 4.More Questions
1. How much time should my child spend on
homework?
2. How does my child get along on the
playground?
3. Do you need help in the class? Are there any
volunteer opportunities?
4. What is the best way to contact you?
5. Are there any books or websites you could
recommend?

24. Case studies
Read the studies and answer the questions.
Activity 5

25. Case Study 1
Barb’s daughter is very nervous about the parent-
teacher tomorrow night.
What can Barb do to make her feel better?

26. Case Study 2
Jamal went to see his son’s teacher, but on the way
home he realized he had forgotten to ask 2 very
important questions.
What could Jamal have done to avoid this
situation?

27. Case Study 3
Shamsun is nervous about tomorrow’s parent-
teacher interview because she perceives that her
level of English is too low to understand her child’s
teacher.
What would you do if you were in this situation?

28. Case Study 4
Simbaljeet’s daughter is very nervous about the
parent teacher interview tonight.
What can Simbaljeet tell her daughter to make
her feel better?

29. Case Study 5
Sukhwinder would like to get more involved in his
son’s academic life, but is not sure where to start.
What options are open to him?

30. Dictation
• Write what you hear!
Activity 6

31. Dictation 1
Always try to be on time for your parent teacher
conference.

32. Dictation 2
Before the conference be sure to discuss with your child
why you are seeing the teacher. This will put your child at
ease.

33. Dictation 3
If you unsure about your level of English and feel nervous
about it, bring a friend to your child’s parent-teacher
interview. He or she can help translate for you.

34. Dictation 4
As a parent you may see your child’s teacher at the
beginning of the school year, at report time, or at any
other time that’s seems necessary to you.

35. Dictation 5
A parent- teacher interview is an opportunity for you to
meet your child’s teacher and discuss how you can help
him or her.

36. Review: What did you learn
today?
• 8 new words
• 12 points that may make going
back to school as an adult a little
easier

37. Thanks for attending.
See you next time!

38. Thank you...
See you next week!