Teaching Speaking

And now, the first productive skill: Speaking, which is such a priority for our students! This time, I analysed a video from an ESL classroom speaking activity. The focus of the task was teaching a function: finding a flat. Quite an original & worthwile activity, with some small limitations which I think are easily solved. Anyway, I think it's a pretty good task! You'll find the video (from YouTube) and next, my comments. Take a look and tell me what you think!



Teaching Speaking

Teaching Reading

For my discussion on the teaching of the second receptive skill, I decided to make a PowerPoint presentation. In this case, I considered some examples of things students say they do when they meet difficulty in reading comprehension, particularly when they meet a new word or phrase - 'the vocabulary question'! As you'll see through the slides, I set the students' comments followed by my impression of how effective/ineffective their strategies are. They reflect my opinion as to how much we should encourage or dicourage certain strategies. If you'd like to share your views, you're welcome. Cheers!

Class Observation # 6: Teaching Vocabulary

Hello people!
A new class observation: this one, short & quick, on teaching vocabulary (to beginner adults). Though a short activity, it was quite to the point so as to bring up some reflection on key issues of vocabulary teaching & learning. Take a look & tell me your other ways of dealing with vocabulary. See ya!

Observation Report # 6 - Teaching Vocabulary

Class Observation # 5: Grammar as Lesson Content

Hi there!
Here's a new class observation report: 'Grammar as Lesson Content'. It was done at a beginner's class - a level I hadn't observed for a while - so the role of grammar was quite specific and to the point. Hope you're interested and let me know what you think. Regards!

Observation Report # 5 - Grammar as Lesson Content

Teaching Listening

Hello, everyone! This is my first entry on the teaching of the language skills. This time, on listening. I've reviewed a range of ELT textbooks and created a glog. On it you'll see a number of book pages containing 1 or 2 listening tasks - just look for those in each case, ignore the other tasks. Next to each page, I've included a bubble which states the kind of listening text learners are exposed to and the task they have to carry out, e.g. listening for gist, for details, etc. This is just a sample of the range of listening texts and aims/reasons we can exploit in our classrooms. I'm sure there are many more. If you can think of others or you just want to comment on my selection, you're welcome. Hope you like it!

Teaching Grammar

Hi there! This time with a mindmap as part of my discussion of Hedge's chapter 5 (Teaching Grammar). You'll see 5 reasons given by John & Liz Soars, the authors of Headway, to explain the prominence of grammar in their materials. I discussed briefly some views for and against each of their reasons. Feel welcome to comment on these or any other views you may have as to why we should teach grammar in our classes. Thanks!

You can also see the mindmap at: http://www.mindmeister.com/maps/show/65229158

Teaching Vocabulary

For my discussion of Hedge's chapter 4 (Vocabulary), I reviewed three coursebooks used with different levels of learner. I've listed the different types of procedure for teaching vocabulary which I considered were representative of some of the best techniques available.
Hope you can suggest other ways!

Techniques for Teaching Vocabulary