Sunday, May 4, 2014
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Friday, May 2, 2014
Thursday, May 1, 2014
My Teaching Methods
I have been a Polish and English teacher since 1976.
Over the years, I have taught many classes. I
introduce a new language mainly by listening and at the beginning all lessons
consist of listening, speaking as well as repeating or performing only. I teach
grammar simply through situations with no reference to grammar rules at all. My
students listen and read a lot to improve their language communication
skills. I do not take advantage of the bridge
language L1.
I
often find myself thinking in Polish and English, flying back and forth from
the two languages. It is difficult to manage exchanging thoughts in two languages simultaneously. Anyhow, why would you like to? Generally speaking, I am for blended learning and teaching with no remark to L1.
Thinking in a foreign language from an early stage helps students gain a level of fluency making very few errors in communication.
I believe, the sooner a student learns to think in a foreign language, the faster she/he will learn. This can only take place if no reference at all is made to L1. My learners need to be free from the interruption of L1.
Maybe I am wrong because it is obviously much easier to teach/learn with the help of pure conversion.
On the other hand, I know that anyone who is learning a second language wishes and dreams about communicating and thinking in that language.
I teach a lot, approximately 4 Polish classes and 4 English classes a day, and I have to admit that my students are very successful learners.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Music in Teaching English
Music in Teaching English
Music can be used in the classroom to create a learning environment; to build listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills; to increase vocabulary, and to expand cultural knowledge. Using Songs in Instruction Most classroom music activities focus on lyrics. They contain common, short words and many personal pronouns, the language is conversational time and place are usually imprecise (except for some folk ballads); the lyrics are often sung at a slower rate than words are spoken with more pauses between utterances, and there is repetition of vocabulary and structures. These factors allow learners to understand and relate to the songs.
A further benefit of pop song lyrics is that their meanings are melted, and, like poetry, allow for many different interpretations. Through songs, students discover the natural stretching and compacting of the stream of English speech. Students may summarize orally the action or theme of a song or give oral presentations about a song or musician, playing musical selections for the course. Many songs tell a story, and these stories can be rewritten or retold to practice narrative or summarizing. Pop songs are written to be easily understood and enjoyed.
As discussed above, they tend to use high frequency lyrics that have emotional content. This makes them strong candidates for word study or reinforcing words already learned through written means. If a series of songs is to be used, students can be teamed up and given a song to teach the class. However, the songs may also have idioms in them that might be difficult to explain, depending on the level of the students.
Cultural Knowledge Activities Songs can be used in discussions of culture. They are a rich source of information about human relations, ethics, customs, history, humor, and regional and cultural differences.
Selecting Music
1. Song lyrics should be clear and loud, not submerged in the instrumental music.
2. The vocabulary load for the song should be appropriate to the proficiency level.
3. Songs should be pre-screened for potentially problematic content, such as explicit language, references to violent acts or sex, or inappropriate religious allusions. Teachers will show care and effort when presenting songs they are especially fond of, their favorites are also good.
Finally, students are often strongly motivated to learn the lyrics of a new pop song or an old favorite they have heard and never understood, so their choices for classroom music should not be ignored.
References
Eken, D. K. (1996). Ideas for using songs in the English language classroom. English Teaching Forum, 34(1), 46-47. Griffee, D. T. (1990).
Hey baby! Teaching short and slow songs in the ESL classroom. TESL Reporter, 23(4), 3-8. Lems, K. (1996).
For a song: Music across the ESL curriculum. Tags: Music, singing in teaching English
http://english.wiziq.com/topic/1009-music-in-teaching-english_truncated
Music can be used in the classroom to create a learning environment; to build listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills; to increase vocabulary, and to expand cultural knowledge. Using Songs in Instruction Most classroom music activities focus on lyrics. They contain common, short words and many personal pronouns, the language is conversational time and place are usually imprecise (except for some folk ballads); the lyrics are often sung at a slower rate than words are spoken with more pauses between utterances, and there is repetition of vocabulary and structures. These factors allow learners to understand and relate to the songs.
A further benefit of pop song lyrics is that their meanings are melted, and, like poetry, allow for many different interpretations. Through songs, students discover the natural stretching and compacting of the stream of English speech. Students may summarize orally the action or theme of a song or give oral presentations about a song or musician, playing musical selections for the course. Many songs tell a story, and these stories can be rewritten or retold to practice narrative or summarizing. Pop songs are written to be easily understood and enjoyed.
As discussed above, they tend to use high frequency lyrics that have emotional content. This makes them strong candidates for word study or reinforcing words already learned through written means. If a series of songs is to be used, students can be teamed up and given a song to teach the class. However, the songs may also have idioms in them that might be difficult to explain, depending on the level of the students.
Cultural Knowledge Activities Songs can be used in discussions of culture. They are a rich source of information about human relations, ethics, customs, history, humor, and regional and cultural differences.
Selecting Music
1. Song lyrics should be clear and loud, not submerged in the instrumental music.
2. The vocabulary load for the song should be appropriate to the proficiency level.
3. Songs should be pre-screened for potentially problematic content, such as explicit language, references to violent acts or sex, or inappropriate religious allusions. Teachers will show care and effort when presenting songs they are especially fond of, their favorites are also good.
Finally, students are often strongly motivated to learn the lyrics of a new pop song or an old favorite they have heard and never understood, so their choices for classroom music should not be ignored.
References
Eken, D. K. (1996). Ideas for using songs in the English language classroom. English Teaching Forum, 34(1), 46-47. Griffee, D. T. (1990).
Hey baby! Teaching short and slow songs in the ESL classroom. TESL Reporter, 23(4), 3-8. Lems, K. (1996).
For a song: Music across the ESL curriculum. Tags: Music, singing in teaching English
http://english.wiziq.com/topic/1009-music-in-teaching-english_truncated
About Halina's Karaoke ESL Edupunk
Halina's
Karaoke ESL Edupunk classes where my original materials to go with the
song.
As for “are there gender-based or L1-based
observable differences in their learning performance patterns in response to
these two kinds of presentations?"
I would say that all depends on the requirements
of particular learners as well as on our personal teaching preferences.
I introduce a new language by listening to real
conversations, and all lessons are made up of talking and listening only. I
teach grammar basically through situations with no reference to grammar rules
at all.
I don't
teach grammar rules and isolated vocabulary. I teach conversational language.
My adult students are not into “abstract
timelines or cartoon stick-figure-based presentations “.They want to speak the
language, so I focus on dialogs and communication skills.
This is the link to previous debate;
As a non-native English teacher, I can be
first-rate role model for my students who may not believe that they can ever
learn the target language ("I learned this language well so you can
too!").Personally I am against methods that emphasize learning about the
language but for learning by using the language/ Expressions, collocations,
models, patterns, language chunks......./
For my part, I don't approve grammar classes
explaining rules and language terminology.
Moreover, I believe, the sooner a student learns
to think in a foreign language, the faster she/he will learn. This can only
take place if no reference at all is made to L1. They must be free from the
interference of L1.
Maybe I am wrong?
On the top of this all, I distinguish that
anyone who is learning a second language wishes and dreams about communicating
as well as thinking in that language.
Teachers are duty-bound to take responsibility
of effectiveness and encouragement of their own students, I think.
PS traditional method teaches
you to read and write but not speak. Speaking is the main reason for learning a
language and the main motivational driver that keeps you trying and improving.
/ Jason West /
My New Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmzf-6Qv1Bs&feature=share&list=PLSY4veVfjc62BsYeUMRo3GTob0tsNyS_Q
Do you think this one is better?
Do you think this one is better?
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
HALINA'S LEARNING, TEACHING AND MUCH MORE....: Halina's English Tutoring
HALINA'S LEARNING, TEACHING AND MUCH MORE....: Halina's English Tutoring: Private Tutor Halina
https://voicethread.com/#q.b4181272.i0.k0
There are many ways
to learn English but the best way is to have a F2F or an online private tutor.
It is
clear that a non-native who knows how to teach is way better than a native who
doesn't know how to teach.You
need someone who can motivate you, can help you learn how to enjoy studying
English as well as speaking it.
Someone
who can answer your questions, develop your skills, and design a learning package
that meets your needs in English.
With
an online English Coach, you can learn English from the comfort of your own home or from
your office, at a time that suits you.
Communication
in English nowadays is a MUST.
https://voicethread.com/share/5680749/https://voicethread.com/#q.b4181272.i0.k0
Halina's English Tutoring
Private Tutor Halina
There are many ways to learn English but the best way is to have a private tutor.
It is clear that a non-native who knows how to teach is way better than a native who doesn't know how to teach.
You need someone who can motivate you, can help you learn how to enjoy studying English as well as speaking it.
Someone who can answer your questions, develop your skills, and design a learning package that meets your needs in English.
With English Coach, you can learn English from the comfort of your own home or from your office, at a time that suits you.
Communication in English nowadays is a MUST.
https://voicethread.com/share/5680749/
https://voicethread.com/#q.b4181272.i0.k0
https://voicethread.com/share/5680749/
There are many ways to learn English but the best way is to have a private tutor.
It is clear that a non-native who knows how to teach is way better than a native who doesn't know how to teach.
You need someone who can motivate you, can help you learn how to enjoy studying English as well as speaking it.
Someone who can answer your questions, develop your skills, and design a learning package that meets your needs in English.
With English Coach, you can learn English from the comfort of your own home or from your office, at a time that suits you.
Communication in English nowadays is a MUST.
https://voicethread.com/share/5680749/
https://voicethread.com/#q.b4181272.i0.k0
https://voicethread.com/share/5680749/
HALINA'S LEARNING, TEACHING AND MUCH MORE....: When to retire?
HALINA'S LEARNING, TEACHING AND MUCH MORE....: When to retire?: http://www.tonybates.ca/2014/04/15/time-to-retire-from-online-learning/ Lastly, I am concerned that the computer scientists seem to be tak...
When to retire?
http://www.tonybates.ca/2014/04/15/time-to-retire-from-online-learning/
Lastly, I am concerned that the computer scientists seem to be taking over online education. Ivy League MOOCs are being driven mainly by computer scientists, not educators. Politicians are looking to computer science to automate learning in order to save money. Computer scientists have much to offer, but they need more humility and a greater willingness to work with other professionals, such as psychologists and teachers, who understand better how learning operates. This is a battle that has always existed in educational technology, but it’s one I fear the educators are losing. The result could be disastrous, but that’s a theme for a whole set of blog posts.
See more at: http://www.tonybates.ca/2014/04/15/time-to-retire-from-online-learning/#sthash.S2oLXqE9.dpuf
Lastly, I am concerned that the computer scientists seem to be taking over online education. Ivy League MOOCs are being driven mainly by computer scientists, not educators. Politicians are looking to computer science to automate learning in order to save money. Computer scientists have much to offer, but they need more humility and a greater willingness to work with other professionals, such as psychologists and teachers, who understand better how learning operates. This is a battle that has always existed in educational technology, but it’s one I fear the educators are losing. The result could be disastrous, but that’s a theme for a whole set of blog posts.
See more at: http://www.tonybates.ca/2014/04/15/time-to-retire-from-online-learning/#sthash.S2oLXqE9.dpuf
Friday, April 18, 2014
Thursday, April 17, 2014
The Secret to a Long Successful Marriage
The secret to a happy marriage is kissing and saying 'I love you' 10 times a week and going on three dates a month, an American report has revealed.
The detailed study of 1,000 married Americans also found three surprise romantic gestures and 10 deep and meaningful conversations each month are key to a harmonious relationship.
Having three shared hobbies and interests and going on two vacations a year are also among the requirements for romantic bliss.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
We Are Online
http://www.wiziq.com/online-class/1793714-we-are-online
I am interested in cultural awareness, cultural
knowledge, and cultural skills. My
project is about improving self-understanding, knowledge of the value systems
and practices of diverse groups and factors related to age, gender, ability,
racial, ethnic, lifestyle characteristics…
How about you?
Saturday, April 12, 2014
My Infographic Resume
My Infographic Resume: Check out my infographic resume created via Vizualize.me. Create yours with one click.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
DIY Professional Development: Resource Roundup | Edutopia
DIY Professional Development: Resource Roundup | Edutopia
Why wait for a formal workshop environment to start improving your teaching craft, when there are so many opportunities to build your network and learn new skills on your own? We've compiled a list of the best resources for do-it-yourself PD to get you started. (Updated: 4/2014)
Why wait for a formal workshop environment to start improving your teaching craft, when there are so many opportunities to build your network and learn new skills on your own? We've compiled a list of the best resources for do-it-yourself PD to get you started. (Updated: 4/2014)
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