So...that's it!

Hi my dearest students!!!

On Thursday we had our last class...for some of you it was THE last class... I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

I just want to tell you that I have really enjoyed our year together....it has been a difficult year for me, as regards my private life, and it is really amazing that I got to enjoy Thursday evenings so much. So...Thanks!!!

And I want to wish you the very best in the next stage you are about to start...classes free!!!

The end is near....

Hi there!!!!

Just a line to remind you that you have until next Tuesday to finish the presentation on How to Teach Writing.... So far only two groups have shared their Googledocs with me...

Come on!! One last effort!!

Last but not least

More feedback

Here we have more!!


Feedback

and

Feedback

Feedback

Feedback

Hi mates we have read your short story “Groomed” and now we are going to provide

feedback on it. We are going to use the model of the ‘traffic light’.  We really liked the story, we are just going to comment on the aspects that we enjoyed more and those which we consider  can be improved.      

                                                      

Positive aspects:

• Catchy cover, good selection of imagery.
• Good use of repetition at the beginning of the first paragraph.
• We liked the way you presented the characters, you developed them gradually through the first page.
• Effective use of dialogues.
• Real to life theme.!! It is great how you could create a short story based on one of the most important and problematic topics of our society.
• MORAL: At the end of the story, you presented and transmitted a specific message to the reader… When we finished reading “Groomed”, we could appreciate that you wanted to show the reader how dangerous/ beneficial technology can be in our society. You left a clear ending/message in the last paragraph of the short story.        

Suggestions:

• The selection of pictures (except the first one) was a bit flat. Some of them did not reflect the mood of the story.
• Some adjectives were repeated several times. For example, the adjective ‘handsome’, maybe next time you can use synonyms to refer to the same word.
• Little use of visual, auditory and kinesthetic images. We expected to have a more detailed description of the place where she was kept and the way in which she was kidnaped.  
• A twist ending can give the reader a jolt. We were expecting something to happen in the end other than something “happy” but it was not the case. In a sense it was a bit predictable.

To bear in mind

• I would have liked to have a little more action towards the end.
• When she writes to this fictitious boy where she will meet him, it reads “12:30 am” but you can tell it’s really 12:30 pm.
• Also, Jane tells her mother she is going to be late because she will do some homework with a friend, but then when Summer asks Carol if her daughter is supposed to be home, Carol says that she is. That is a bit incoherent.

The story is overall well written, though a little flat. The action rises in a real pace but almost as soon as it hits the turning point it goes down again for the purpose of the moral.

The characters are very relatable and so is the scenario, which makes the story interesting from the point of view of its plausibility: this is something which could happen to any of us, and that makes us feel uneasy, which is a good characteristic to have in a short story. We also found it as a resource any teacher of english could use for a themed lesson since it is easy to read. Finally, although it was written collaboratively by four people with different tastes, you can hardly tell since the story maintains a general structure from beginning to end.

Well done!!!

Play...feedback and more!

Hi!!

How are you?? Just starting the weekend?? Way to go!!

Yesterday we did not have classes....because we had the fairy tale festival. In fact, many of you participated in the performance of Hamlet.... Congrats!! It was really good!!!

I have already received the feedback of one of the groups... I'm sure I'll receive the others during the weekend... I'll have a look and then we'll share in the blog.

I'll also be reading your blogs these days, since I've noticed many of you have posted....

Finally, next week we have a new workshop.... are you ready??

And remember you have to start with the presentations on "How to teach writing", based on your reading, and on your experiences as teachers, and as students and also reflecting on this experience of the assessment project. Do it in a Google doc and remember to share it with me.

Well, that's all for now....

Hi!!!

How are you??

Last Thursday we had another workshop... this time on Teaching Reading.... it was excellent!!! It was entertaining, original, enriching.... congratulations!!!!

This week you have to work on the feedback of one of the short stories, as part of the assessment project. I know you are tired... but there is so little left.... you can do it!!!

Remember to contact me if you have any doubts!!!

Second Workshop...check!

Hi there!!

How are you?? Tired? Probably yes... but you have only one more month to go!! You can do it!!

Last Thursday we had the second workshop on Teaching Listening, delivered by Carolina, Emiliano and Julia. You then wrote some feedback for them.... We all enjoyed the workshop and would have liked it to be longer!!

Today I'll finishe correcting the short stories and then you have to give them an attractive layout, using some application. After that, we'll have the feedback step of the assessment project.

And, next Thursday we have the workshop on Teaching Reading!!

First workshop...check!!

Hi my dear 4th!!  How are you? I hope you are doing well!!!

Last Thursday we had the first Workshop, delivered by Cecilia, Celeste and Belén. It was about Direct and Indirect Strategies. They told us about the classification and all the options there are as regards strategies. They made us play too!!

For next class, I need you (the ones who were present on Thursday) to write some feedback for the girls (you should hand it in to me).

In fact, the last part of the class was devoted to dealing with how to provide feedback and with how important it is to provide enriching, and adequate feedback.

Next Thursday we have the workshop on Teaching Listening...I'm really looking forward to it!! Also, next Thursday is the deadline for the short stories! (In the Google document so I can correct...later you will use an application to illustrate it and give it a more attractive presntation).

Well... that's all for now...

Class cancelled.... reprogramming

Hi there!!

How are you?

Last Thursday we were all there but we could not have classes.... since classes were cancelled because there were no janitors.

So... this would be our new calendar...

Group	Topic	Likely date
Celeste, Belén and Cecilia	Teaching strategies	October 5th
Emiliano, Carolina and Julia	Teaching listening	October 12th
Joaquín, Matías, Daiana and Noelia	Teaching reading	October 19th
Eugenia, Gustavo and Marina	Teaching writing	November 2nd
Johanna, Aldana and Claudio	Teaching speaking	November 9th

Anyway... we can talk about any doubts on Thursday!

Coming next... workshops!!

Hi there!!

Just a line to remind you that on Thursday we start with the Workshops... and ...

Mistakes, feedback and others....

Hi!!

How are you? How is your weekend going?

On Thursday we worked on the chapter on Mistakes and Feedback. First, we did a grouping activity based on a classification of people difficult to cope with. We reflected s little on the different types of difficult people, and the idea is to try to think about how to deal with them... You should select two of the categories and write in your blogs about how you think you should deal with them.

Once you were organized in groups, you worked on a questionnaire....I walked around the class, trying to help clear doubts and clarify concepts.

We are next meeting on September 28th, since on  the 21st we have the day off. That day we are having the first workshop, the one about Teaching Strategies (direct and indirect), so you should read the two chapters on this topic.

I'll be correcting your presentations and providing feedback... so we'll be in touch!

And remember the deadline for the short stories of our assesment project is October 12th.

Learning Styles and Personality Factors

Hi!!

How are you?? I hope you are doing great!!

Last Thursday we finished dealing with learning styles, with the different ways of classifying them, different quizzes to find out about them and the implications for teachers. We mentioned briefly some ideas related to strategies, but we did no go into details because we will soon have a workshop on that!!

Then we briefly discussed personality factors. We just mentioned them and explained a few central ideas, but we did not have time to go deeply into it.

The idea is that if yu have any questions or doubts on the chapter you ask me next class at the beginning of the class. And after that we will focus on Mistakes and Feedback, so make sure to read chapter 8 by Brown.

Well, finally, I hope tomorrow you all spend a wonderful day!!

Learning Styles, assessment project and workshops

Hi there!!

How are you on this rainy Sunday??

Last class we worked on learning styles, explaining what they are, what determines them and what are some of the ways of classifying them. Next Thursday we'll continue working on this and we'll start dealing with personality factors. So, for next class you must read chapter 6 by Brown on Personality Factors.

Also, remember that you have this and next week to work on your presentations on Characteristics of Good Short Stories.

Last but not least, here I share the information on the Workshops you will deliver for us:

Group	Topic	Likely date
Celeste, Belén and Cecilia	Teaching strategies	September 28th
Emiliano, Carolina and Julia	Teaching listening	October 5th
Joaquín, Matías, Daiana and Noelia	Teaching reading	October 12th
Eugenia, Gustavo and Marina	Teaching writing	October 19th
Johanna, Aldana and Claudio	Teaching speaking	November 2nd

This is exactly what we discussed  before the Winter Break. The only change is in the date of the last workshop because on Ocotber 26th there is the Fairy Tale Festival.

Well, that's all ... I'll start viviting your Google docs in a few minutes !!

Last class and links to short stories

Hi there!!

How has your weekend been?? I hope great!!

Last class we spent most of the time discussing our assessment project....The rest of the class we devoted to going through some general ideas related to syllabus design and coursebooks.

Here I share with you the links to three short stories I would like you to read to start working on your presentations on what the characteristics of good short stories are:

The Kiss
The Way up to Heaven
The Masque of the Red Death

Bear in mind that in the last two links there are several stories. The ones I want you to read are the ones I name in the links.

Of course you are free to read more stories (and also to recommend other stories to us)!!

The presentation should be ready by September 14th. Remember to do it in Google docs and to add me to the list of people who can edit: sracker2000@gmail,.com .

Whatever doubts you may have...we'll be in touch!!

Please remember!!

Hi my dears!!

How are you? How was your winter break?... I hope it was great!!!

Please remember that on Thursday 17th I will be absent (I'm taking my daughter to the eye doctor). I mentioned this before the winter break, but I want to be sure you remember.

For this first week, I would like you to post something in your blogs related to your favorite books,or the best reading experiences you have had. The deadline for this entry is August 23rd.

Happy Winter Break!!

Hi my dear 4th year!!

How are you? Starting to enjoy the Winter Break?  (And those of you who have to sit for finals starting to go through your stages?)

Let me take this opportunity to tell you how much I enjoy classes with you... you are a very special group!!

Well, on Thurdsay we organized groups and presentations for the second part of the year. I explained what I expect from these presentations and we agreed that "Workshops" is a more accurate word to describe it.

You still owe me the groups for the assessment project.

I did not ask for any homework for the Winter Break because I know you need both to study and to rest. Still, if you want to post things in your blogs, it will be my pleasure to read them.

Blog time!!

Hi there!!

I have just finished checking all your blogs!!! I feel extremely happy because I have found brilliant material shared. I also see that many of you are getting into the healthy and enriching habit of checking one another's blogs.

I want to thank you all for sharing so generously... I feel we are all learning a lot, making ubiquitous learning our reality (which is one of the main advantages of embracing the new technologies).

One suggestion: pay a bit more attention to grammar/spelling/typing.... I have found many language mistakes in the blogs ( I will prepare special feedback on that for after the winter break).

Needs Assessment

Hello!!

How are you on this rainy evening?? I'm guessing many of you felt really cozy at home and decided to stay that way... And since about half the students were absent, today we didn't do any grouping activity... you chose who to work with.

During the class you worked on a questionnaire on chapter 4 about Needs Assessment. During the last part of the class we shared some of the answers and personal appreciations on the topic. Next class we will continue working on this.

Homework for next class:

• prepare (individually or in small groups; you can choose) a tool to get information on your students' needs and interests. (use the examples from the "practice" section of the chapter to get some ideas). This task you have to hand in.
• post in your blog (free post; just remember what we have been saying about the quality of the posts)
• organize the groups for the second part of the year (for the presentations we need 5 groups:4 groups of 3 students and 1 group of four; for the assessment project we discussed last class, I need 4 groups of 4 students each)

Well, for now..

Feedback, homework and more

Hi my dear 4th year!!

Yesterday we had a class during which I provided feedback on your term tests. First, there was some general feedback and content feedback, and then we did some error analysis.

Afterwards, there was some general reflection on the blogs and the quality of your work on your blogs (next week I will provide more personalized feedback).

Later, we decided on the work dynamic we are going to have in the second part of the year (presentations and a series of tasks integrating technology instead of a term test). I also offered the possibility of having some sharing moments based on topics or materials that you want to bring to the class, with the intention of creating a bridge between the reality of our classrooms and the theory we study together.

Finally, I gave you another quiz to gather more information for grouping activities... a quiz some of you found quite challenging!!

For homework, all you have to do (since we did not have time to deal with the chapter you have already read) is post something in your blogs (and, if necessary, catch up with previous homework) for sharing about anything you want (either about the possible topics for sharing moments or about any other material you want).

Results and homework

Hi there!!

Yesterday we had the First Term Test...from the exams I have read so far I can tell that many of you have been paying attention in class and have studied... good for all of us!!... I'll do my best to finish correcting for next class.

For next Thursday I need you to do two things:

• Read chapter 4 on Needs Assessment: Needs assessment in language programming: from theory to practice
• Post a reflection on your blog related to exam situations: it can be about pros and cons, about study strategies, about strategies to handle stress or about any related aspect that you want to.

In the meantime...

Next stop....term test!

Hello!!

Yesterday we had our last class before the term test.

Those who arrived on time got some juicy details on the contents of the test...

Unfortunately, I still can't confirm whether we'll be able to have the test on the 22nd as planned... If there are any news, I'll let you know...

In the meantime,

SLA

Hello!

Today we briefly went over some key aspects of FLA (and hinted at some possible exam questions). Then we moved on to SLA. We haven't began to discuss the chapter you had to read for today, because we were focusing on all the factors that play a role in SLA (they are a lot!).

So, for next week the only homework you have is to think about the similarities and differences between FLA and SLA.

Those of you who haven't posted anything related to FLA, remember you were supposed to...so you have time until Sunday!!

Well, that's all for now...

More about FLA

Hi there!!

Today we continued working on First Language Acquisition, reviewing Chomsky's model and revising the acquisition schedule.

Next class we'll round it up and we'll start discussing SLA, so please read the chapter by Brown on Theories of Second Language Acquisition.

Also, I forgot to tell you, I'd like you to post something on your blogs... something related on FLA (a video, an article, a reflection... whatever you want).

Take care and...

FLA

Hi!!

Yesterday we devoted our class to reflecting on the process of First Language Acquisition. We did so from  a Nativist Position, and we discussed some central concepts of Chomsky's theory.

Apart from that, we considered the facts that need to be explained by any theory of FLA. These facts are very important because they highlight how unique the process of First Language Acquisition is.

Next class (in two weeks), we'll continue analyzing this crutial topic of our syllabus, so please finish reading the chapter (chapter 3 by Cook) and read Pinker's chapter 9 (Baby born talking describes Heaven).

That's all about TBLT

Hello!!

How are you on this rainy day??

Yesterday we finished dealing with Task Based Language Teaching, in what can be described as an "entertaining class". First, while you worked in groups, I provided feedback on your TBLT homework (if I haven't given you feedback yet, don't worry! I did not have time to finish!). And then we had another competition... with a lot of suspense!! In the end, it was a tie!! Good for all of you!! There was no time to chek on doubts, so feel free to ask me next class about any TBLT related loose ends...

For next class you have to do two things:

• Read chapter 3 from Cook on First Language Acquisition and...
• Post something in your blog (a free post, anything you want: a video, an article, etc; just remember to explain why you are sharing that material in particular)

Well, I think that is all for now...

TGI Friday!!!

Hi there!!

Yesterday we had fun, didn't we??

First you got in groups following some clues. Then, you decided on a name for your team: we had the Hitchcocks, the gifted and skilled, the witches and the X men. Afterwards, we had five rounds of questions and answers on chapter 3, TBLT. I hope the format of the lesson helps you remember important concepts effectively!

For next class, you should read chapters 5 and 6 on TBLT and you should also add a gadget to your blog.

so...

Third class

Hello, hello!!

Yesterday we started dealing with Task Based Language Teaching. We dealt with chapters 1 and 2. This time you worked in groups, arranged according to your birthday dates. I must say that you all worked very well and at a very good pace. Still, it would be even more enriching if you all read the material for each class. I know you all have a lot on your plate, but I must insist on the importance and the benefits of keeping updated with the reading.

For next class you must read chapter 3. You must also do the reflection tasks on pages 31 and 35 and post them in your blog. You have time until next Thursday to do so.

We also mentioned that the likely date for the First Term Test is June 22nd.

As soon as I post this I'll start checking your newly created blogs and adding them to my list of blogs, so you all have access to all the blogs.

And now yes, I leave you to

So far... three blogs!!

Hi there!!

Three of you (Eugenia, Belén and Joaquín) have already created their blogs... Well done!!! You can see them in my list of blogs in the bottom right corner of this blog... check them and give them some feedback!

About yesterday, homework and YOUR BLOGS!!

Hi there!!!

Yesterday we had our second class (only second!!)... You got in groups (divided by favorite colours) and worked on a questionnaire on Teaching Styles. All the groups worked very effectively and enrichingly... At the end of the class, we shared the answers...

For next class (Thursday 27th April)), you have to read chapters 1 and 2 on Task Based Language Teaching, by David Nunan.

Also for next class, you have to create your own blog!! Some things to take into account:

• you can do it individually or in pairs 
• for next class you just have to publish a welcome sign (you can make your own sign or you can use an image from internet)
• you will have to post something at least once a week (somethimes I will give you specific instructions and sometimes you will have complete freedom to decide what to post)
• the blog must be related to our subject, but you can decide whether it will include material only on teaching English or on other topics too (you can decide to post information and material for your students, or for other teachers of English or for anyone who loves the English language)

Here you have a tutorial on how to do it (there are A LOT of tutorials in YouTube, you can use this on or any other that you prefer)

Now I say goodbye

Oh!! And remember...

/kəˈmjuːnɪkətɪv/ 

In case you are interested...

Hi there!!!

A teacher I know is interested in selling the following used books...

Let me know if you are interested (or you know someone who is)

New homework

Hi there!!

How have you been?? I hope you are all doing great!!

Since we are not meeting until Thursday 20th, I would like you to read, apart from chapter 3 by Yule on the properties of language, chapter 13 by Cook called Learning and Teaching Styles.

If you have any doubts, don't hesitate to post a comment!!

Welcome... class of 2017!!!

Hi there!!

Welcome to a new year together!!

Let's get organized:

• Remember to get the material from Milgraff
• Read for next class: 

1. the syllabus, in detail
2. chapter 3 from Yule on the properties of language

Remember to check the blog on a regular basis to stay updated... 

Next class we will be dealing with Popular Methodologies, so, if you have the time before next Thursday, read chapter 13 by Cook on Learning and Teaching Styles (if we do not meet until April 20th then you MUST read that chapter... for the time being we have to wait and see if we can meet on the 6th).

Also, please think about the requirements to promote that we discussed yesterday and make sure you understand them. Should you have any doubts, please ask next class.

Well... that's all for now... we'll be in touch!!

Welcome you all!!!!