Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Computers in the EFL lesson?

Today I'd like to share a slideshow on technology in the EFL lesson with you all:



I invite you to go through it and then post a comment discussing any of the issues mentioned in the slides, or any additional point you'd like to make!

Looking forward to hearing from you,
Gladys

PS: I've just come across an incredible site with plenty of information for those of you looking for reading materials on this topic (technology integration to the EFL curriculum with and without access to the Internet): ICT4LT. Enjoy!

Friday, July 17, 2009

The Audio-lingual Method vs Communicative Approach: teacher´s role

Hi everybody!! How are you?? I miss you a little!! This is my first try too!!! first I was in panic and then with a little help from my lovely husband we created the account. I hope to hearing from you soon!!!

In the Audio-lingual method, the teacher is like an orchestra leader, directing and controlling the language behaviour of her/his students. Teachers are responsible for providing her/his sts. with a good model for imitation.
In contrast, in the Communicative Approach the teacher is a facilitator of his students´ learning. He´s a manager of classroom activities. One of his major responsibilities is to establish situations likely to promote communication. He acts as an advisor, answering student´s questions and monitoring their performance.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Error correction: Grammar-translation Vs. The Direct Method

Well, well well, this is my first try!! I'm not sure if this is what I have to do, but if not... I'm sure I'll have a second chance and will be able to do it better !!
I have decided to start at the very beginning ... so I have compared this two methods taking into account "error correction". In the Grammar -Transaltion method, having the students get the correct answer is very important. So when students make a mistake or they don´t know the answer, the teacher supplies them with the correct answer. It is like this since the teacher is the authority in the classroom, and they are expected to learn things by heart and they have to memorize them with no mistakes. On the other hand the Direct method, in totally different since the role of the student is more active, the class is directed by the teacher but students are expected to self-correct whenever possible, so the teacher tries, using various techniques to get students to it.

Well this is a first idea!! Any comments gilrs? Come on, don´t leave alone !! Any suggestions Gladys? Am I on the right track? Hope so !!

A remote future for language teaching and learning?

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/a-virtual-game-to-teach-children-languages/

A Virtual Game to Teach Children Languages - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com via kwout

This was published today in the "New York Times"... How long before we see this kind of technology integrated into our classes, I wonder?

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Total Physical Response



Principles advocated by this method have also been shared by other methods. Can you identify any?
Gladys

The Silent Way



SUGGESTION: have a look at the comments posted to the video on YouTube. Some say the method is the best option ever, others loathe it. Some say this is a great example of the Silent Way, others find reasons to disagree. Who do you support, and why? Post a comment here (or there, if you prefer to interact with the whole world!)

Suggestopedia: short lesson demonstration

Watch this 2-minute lesson applying Suggestopedia:



What do you think? Post a comment!

Gladys

Welcome, class!


This blog is an experiment: a group of teacher trainees (currently attending a f2f course on "School and Education today") and working with me for a short period are invited to share their views on topics discussed in class to make up for the fact we cannot meet face-to-face for over a month. Will they enthusiastically embrace the opportunity and become passionate bloggers? Will they just ignore the invitation and never make themselves visible online? Will some shy voices become louder in this virtual arena?

Stay around and discover this with us!
Gladys