TESOL 2014 Portland Oregon

Lessons Learned

Opening Keynote – Dr. Surin Pitsuwan

“Success in language learning depends more on people and what goes on inside.” Earl Stevic

“The Ideal Classroom is one where everyone is recognized and respected.” Ann Fontanella

What do English Language Learners gain???

The Power of the Lingua Franca is The Power of Transformation -

Communicate, Collaborate, Problem Solve, Think Critically.

A tool to construct a better future.

A common sense of humanity

The TESOL Website – What’s New?

TESOL Resources now available to anyone. No longer Member Only.

What’s available - Activities, Lesson Plans, Teaching Tips, Assessments.

Learning Groups!!!!

Enhancing Multi-Level Students’ Learning with TechnologySuggested Websites: Spellingcity.com,

Manythings.com, ESL-lab.comTIC TAC TOE GAME: Southseattle.edu

Ice BreakersI love Japanese FoodI have a dogMy mother is from Switzerland

Develop a power point with personal information. One item is false. Have students guess.

Let’s Get Physical – Idiom Use and Exercise We retain 10% of the info we learn in class. Effective activities for learning English – interactive games, plays,

skits. THE FOLLOWING ARE IDIOM ACTIVITIES:WARM UP ACTIVITY: Have placards of Idioms – hold up idiom- student(s) say the definition out loud or shows a picture of it. Teacher says Idiom or reverse order.POINT BASED CLASSROOM ACTIVITY: S1 writes the idiom on the board using it in a sentence. S2 Uses it, or changes it, or corrects it. (it=idiom) Both students get points.

Mixing Oil and Water – Teaching Chinese and Saudi Students

TogetherGetting students to take control of their learning is

the biggest problem teachers face.It is difficult for Saudi and Chinese students to

answer a question that is not directly stated. (Inferences)

Working collaboratively and in a less structured environment is difficult for both cultures. However, we are preparing students for this experience in American colleges.

A Holistic Approach to Teaching beginning grammar to Arabic Students.

Use stories that are familiar – Presenter used example of a story about the “Day of the Dead” celebration in Hispanic culture. Saudis aren’t familiar with that celebration.

Don’t use lessons that are content dense. Presenter used example of a very familiar Grammar book that has “uncomprehendable” grammar rules.

Remember - Format and mechanics are very different in English. Presenter suggested that student open up a gmail account for learning English in US.

Focus on Strengths of Saudis – See handout……Two hour classes a benefit for students and teacher.

Teaching Reductions – Whatcha gonna do?

What are reductions? Reduced forms of speechWhy are they problems? Non-Native

Pronunciation, Book based learning not aural (audio).

What do they need? Practice listening to native speakers.

Start to teach early on - ALL SKILLS AND ALL THE TIME. Goal is comprehension

Motivate Gain and PersistWhat helps???

English Learning Plan – For Students who persist in learning the ELP helps them take ownership of their learning.

Language Goal –Use Rubrics Reading Plan – When used students persist

This seminar was based on a small flexible language school in Alaska where the students come intermittently.

To find full documents and handouts – TESOL 2014 session #294635Handouts also provided

Creating Fillable Forms in MS Word

Uses for fillable forms beyond administrative tasks: Note taking, Video – Listening and Response Activities,

Vocabulary, Listening Quiz, Guided Writing. Online activities, quick quizzes and tests. Self-guided work.

How to create fillable forms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2bIE2TkW58

(video demo for MS 2011)• Https://youtube.com/watch?v=1I6I6OYx8Jg(video demo for MS 2010)

See handout for more detailed information

TED Talks and You Tube* Find speaker topic. * Search in You Tube. • Keep Video. Download on MP3, et.al.

(See KeepVid.com (used to be a link on You Tube but don’t see it anymore.)

* Create Worksheets – see handouts

Easy English Times Newspaper

Is that all? – TESOL Ontario 2015

Not Exactly – TESOL Celebrity SightingGuess

Who???