Second Workshop!!

Hello!!

Last Thursday we had the second workshop...this one was about Teaching Vocabulary. The girls chose a theme: Holidays!...I think we can all agree it was a well chosen theme, one we could all relate to.

I cannot say much...I have to wait for your feedback...but I can say that the girls were hard working and creative!!

And well...tomorrow we are having the third workshop...I'm really looking forward to it!!!

Hello hello!

Hellooooo!

How are you on this Sunday morning?!...I hope you are fine!!

In the last few classes we dealt  with learning styles, personality factors and mistakes and feedback. Those of you who have not read the material should definitely do it.

Next Thursday we are going to finish working on the material on mistakes and feedback and then we are going to work a little on teaching writing.

The following week we start with the workshops!

Remember that you have to post in your blog: you should post something related to feedback (an anecdote, a reflection, a video, an article...)

Well...see you on Thursday and

1. 

Relax and enjoy the much deserved winter break!!!

Hi my dear students!!

Well...the most important thing to tell you this time is to rest and be happy!! This break is essential to not only survive the second part of the year but also profit from it...

I have been veeeery kind and have given you no homework, except for getting organized in groups of 4 or 5 for the workshops you will have to deliver and for the series of assessment tasks we will carry out in the second term....

Whatever doubts you have do not hesitate to contact me!

And if you can...keep your blogs alive during this month!!

FLA

Hello hello!!

How are you on this rainy day?? I hope you are great...resting, relaxing, eating tasty food...enjoying life!

About last class, we first discussed some very important general concepts about Fist Language Acquisition: why it is important for us to study the topic, which the different positions from which the topic can be studied are, and what the facts are that need to be explained by any theory of FLS.

 Afterwards, yougot together in groups with a very simple activity, which had as a secondary playful effect to introduce you to the Stroop effect. Once in groups, each group picked a card with a seciotn of the chapter they had to read, summarize and explain to the rest of the class.

On the 20th there are no classes... so you have plenty of time to re read the chapter to get a better undestanding of the P and P model. You also have to read the chapter "Baby born talking describes Heaven", by Steven Pinker.

Bear in mind that we will have one more class before the term test. So, we should get together on June 27th, and have the test on July 4th. If soemething happens on the 27th, then we will have the test on July 11th.

Well, that's all for the time being....remember to keep your blogs updated!!

Rapport above all!!

Hello my darlings!!

How are you?? How has your weekend been?...I hope great!!

Last Thursday we finished our game on chapter 3.... Here are the winners!!

Congrats!!! And don't think I don't remember I owe you!!

We had time to start dealing with chapter 5 on TBLT...for instance, we talked about the strong version of TBLT.

For next class, you have to read chapters 5 and 6 on TBLT.

Finally, remember the date for the first term test in July 4th.

Well...having kept you updated, I leave you now, wishing you an amazing week!!! And remember...

Ready for the new week?

Hi dears!! How are you? How was your weekend?...I hope it went great!

Last Thursday we had a very wet class... OMG! It really bucketted down!!

We dealt with TBLT, chapter 2...most importantly the six-steps-sequence and the seven principles. And we started our competition on chapter 3....but we just got started...so those of you who were absent can join in next Thursday!

For homework you have to think of a task and classify it in terms of macrofunction, microfunction and grammar, and you also have to do a six step sequence...both tasks you should post in your blogs!

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

Yesterday...

Hi there!!!

How are you?? Ready to start the weekend?? Let's relax, rest and enjoy!! We all deserve it!!

Well, yesterday we had an unusual class...but I hope it was of some use. All the situations we face can help us achieve personal growth. And remember: I'm here if you need me....

The originally planned class was...to get in groups by favorite colours...

Here are the groups according to the information YOU gave me:

• Black and more than one favorite colour: Yamila C., Nancy, Noelia, Emilce and Camila...
• Green and Pink: Lisandro, Grace, Bárbara, Natalia and Ayelén
• Blue: Paula, Flor K., Haydeé, Marina, Celeste, and Yamila S.
• Purple/Violet: Valeria, Majo, Flor FB, and Ivanna.
• Red: Belén, Flor L., Sebastián, and Antonella.

Mmmm...let me see...

Find the misplaced ones...

Well...anyway...We managed to do the activity on chapter 1 of TBLT.

Next class we will work on chapters 2 and 3...So, you must read chapter 3 and get ready for a competition!! For the competition, you must be organized into four groups...but this time YOU CHOOSE!!! Please, organize the groups beforehand.

 Moreover, remember you have until Wednesday to create your blog and share the link  in a comment in this post. So far, I have only two...(Bárbara´s and Vale's/Flor's). There is one that I cannot access...takeyourtimeteacher.blogspot.com....

Finally, I hope you have a great weekend!!!

Teaching and Learning Styles...and something else

Hi there!!

How are you?? I hope you are enjoying your weekend!!

Last Thursday we worked in groups (organized based on birth dates)...and we worked on the chapter about Second Language Learning and Teaching Styles. As you worked in groups and I walked around the class, I could see that most people had read the chapter (Great!! Reading for each class makes a big difference since you can both participate and clear your doubts). I also enjoyed watching the different dynamics in the groups...which is a topic we will discuss later on in the year...

For next class you have to read chapters 1 and 2 on TBLT, by David Nunan, which are in the first bunch. You also have to create your blog...in fact you have until May 8th to so so.

Remember you have to decide whether you prefer to do it individually or in pairs... In the blog, sometimes you will have to create posts following specific instructions related to the subject, and at other times you will be asked to post but you will be free as to the contents.

To get started, here there is a tutorial on how to create a blog with blogger...

Oh! And once you have created the blog, please post a comment below this entry with the link...Thanks!!!

About Thursday

Hi there!!!

I talked to Moni yesterday and she said we can use one of the upstairs classrooms....soooo... we can have our last class on Thursday!!!

I'm really looking forward to seeing you!!

Coming next...

Hi dear!!

How are you? Lazying on a rainy Sunday afternoon?

We have already dealt with SLA, Learning Styles, Personality Factors and most of Mistakes and Feedback...

Next Thursday we start with the Workshops...so come ready to participate and observe keenly for the feedback task!!

We will be starting with the Workshop on Teaching Strategies (both Direct and Indirect)...

Thursday class

Hi there!!

Last Thursday we worked in groups on SLA. A crazy thing happened: I prepared a grouping activity with cards related to different rock bands...and as it turned out, as you picked the cards, you ended up grouped exactly as you were sitting!!

You worked on a questionnaire, and each group had to deal with a different theory.

Also, we reached an agreement on how the second term is going to be assessed. We will have a combination of evaluating activities. We will have a traditional second term test, but including only a few topics. Then, there will be the workshops you will have to deliver. And also, there will be a collaborative task involving the use of technology.

For homework, you should post something in your blogs. Free entry.

Next class we will finish dealing with SLA; we will have the feedback on the assignments on FLA and if there is time we will start working on leatning stlyes.

Well, that is all for the time being...

Back to work!!

Hi there!!

How are you? Enjoying this sunny weekend? I hope so!!

On Thursday we started working on Second Language Acquisition. We brainstormed factors that play a role in the process and we highlighed the differences between FLA and SLA.

For next class you have to read chapter 10 by Brown on Theories of Second Language Acquisition,; you have to add an entry to your blog related to either FLA or SLA (or both) and you have to get organized into four groups of four for the workshops you'll be in charge of in this second term.

Please remember it is important to respect deadlines. Last class the assignment on FLA was due, but not everybody handed it in.

Well...that's all for the time being!!

For next week...

Hi there!!

We've just had a class... with your presentations on the chapters on CLIL.

Next class we'll start with the presentation of group 5, and then we'll dive into First Language Acquisition.

So, for next class you must:

• make sure you have at least four entries in your blog (the introduction, something about the Four Methods and two free entries)
• Read chapter 3 by Cook on First Language Acquisition
• Write (to hand in) some feedback on the four mini presentations delivered so far: general feedback, not about each group. The idea is to start thinking about the presentations you will have to deliver in the second part of the year...so think about the things you liked and about suggestions you may have.

Well, I'm here in case you need me! Take care and...

TBLT

Hello!!

How are you? How is your weekend going?... I hope great!

Last Thursday we had the most interrupted ever class.... still, we managed to finish dealing with chpaters 1 and 2 of TBLT. And, as usual, we tried to relate the theory to the reality you, well we, encounter in classrooms.

Next class we'll start with a game to check the main concepts dealt with in chapter 3. And after that, you will start sharing the chapter summary and activity you prepared on CLIL.

Remember you have to post something in your blogs...a free post this time....

Well, see you soon!!

Hi again!

How are you? How are you spending your weekend?

Last class we finished working on Second Language Learning and Teaching Styles...it is a very important topic because nowadays, in the post methods era, you can choose to combine different methods...but it is important that you do it conscientiously and not just because.

Then we started working on TBLT, chapters 1 and 2. You are grouped by movie genre preferences...so please remember next Thursday to sit in the same way. We'll devote the first part of the class to working on the activities on ch 1 and 2, and the second part of the class to playing a game on chapter 3.

So... for next class you have to read chapter 3 on TBLT. For Thursday 31st you should prepare a summary and an activity on one of the chapters about CLIL (this time, you chose the groups...). And bear in mind that the Term Test will be on June 28th.

Also, I want to apologize because I am behind with my corrections of your blogs...it doesn't usually happend to me and I hate it when it happens. I'll be catching up in the next few days. And again, I am sorry.

Finally, here there is a video I'd like you to watch.... then we will comment on it:

Hello!!!

How are you, dears? Enjoying this long, rainy weekend? I hope so!!

Last Thursday we continued with our review of and reflection on different methods and styles.

For next class you should read chapters 1 and 2 on Task Based Language Teaching, by Nunan, and you should post two entries in your blogs: an introduction and a video or link about the Four Methods we mentioned last Thursday.

Also, please remember we are not meeting next Thursday, since I will be absent. We are meeting again on May 10th.

And please, contact me about any doubts you may have (just leave a comment in the blog and I will receive an email!).

Review of Methods and Approaches

Hi there!!

How are you?

First of all, a brief summary of what last class was about. We dealt mainly with a revision of methods you studied on previous years. We also talked about the blog you have to create and about preferneces for how to work in class.

For next class you have to read the chapter by Cook on Second Language Learning and Teaching Styles. You also have to finish the chart with weaknesses and strengths of different methods, to discuss in class (not to hand in). Finally, you have to create your blog. Here I leave you a tutorial to complement what Matías explained to you on Thursday:

Whatever doubts you may have, we'll devote some class time to clearing them next Thursday. So don't worry!

2nd class

Hello, hello!!

How are you, my dear? I hope you are awesome!!

Last Thursday, apart from singing Happy Birthday to Hernán (I'm still not sure if he owes us a cake or we owe him...haha!), we discussed the concept of Language. It took longer than planned, but I think it was worth it because different concepts, ideas and doubts came up that deserved being attended to.

We worked partly in groups and partly with the class as a whole... I haven't asked you yet...what do you prefer? Individual work? Pair work? Group work? Class work? (please leave your comments below)

For homework you have to read the chapter by Yule on The Properties of Language and the syllabus, and you have to check Matías´ blog and the blog from my list The Wizarding World of English. In that way you can start thinking about what kind of space your blog will be...

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!!!

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...