Thanks!!

Hi there!!

First of all, I'd like to thank you for your good wishes!!!!

Second, my intention was to carry out a little reflection on the test scores in class today. But as teachers we very well know that very often things do not go according to our plans, right? So, next class I will provide some explanations about the corrections and the scores of the tests. There are people who are probably very happy with their results, but there are others who might be wondering... Let me just tell you, for the time being, that when I correct I am fully aware of how transcendental the score is for you. Therefore, I am extremely careful to be as fair as possible. I give a lot of thought to the whole correction process. I read, re read and re re read.

Finally, have a great weekend and start reading on Second Language Acquisition (there are two chapters)

Something to share....

Hello again!!

This time I'm writing to share a movie that is intensely moving....Apart from enjoying all the emotions, try to reflect on what it might have to do with us teachers...

Let's get back to work!!

Hi!!!!

      Yesterday we had another class. We talked a lot about First Language Acquisition and Second Language Acquisition. We reflected on the similarities and differences of both processes, and we brainstormed factors that need to be taken into account when studying SLA.

      For next class, you have to read the new chapter I gave you on SLA (the one by Cook), and if you have time, re read the one you already read for yesterday. Next class each one of you will get a specific aspect of this topic to explain to the rest of the group....

      Also, don't forget to work on the assignment on FLA I gave you before the winter holidays. It's important to highlight that, in order to promote the subject without final exam, you need to hand in assignments on time, apart from getting 7 (seven) or more in each task (term tests, presentations, and each task you do during the year). Moreover, you need to read the material for each class, and you have to participate. Let me say it in other words: you have to prove, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that you understand each topic we deal with and that you are committed to the subject. I know you are already tired at this time of the year, but it's one last effort before you can relax once and for all!!!!!

      Next class we will discuss the topics and likely dates of the presentations for this second part of the year. We will also specify requirements on the use of the blogs that you have created, since some of you frequently post material and others tend to forget about it....

      Well, now I bid farewell until next Thursday, saying...

Feedback on blogs...

Hello my dear students!!

I've spent a few hours visiting your blogs.... it's been fun!!

Some of you are keeping your blogs updated and frequently publish very interesting material... well done!!

Others just have one or two entries so far, so you need to become more active bloggers... come on! You can do it!

So far only two people have published the reflection you have to write... They are both very interesting so I recommend that those of you who still have to work on this read Daiana's and Marisol's words.

Now, I'll include a list of sentences from your blogs that need to be corrected. What I want you to do is to publish as comments the corrections you can make...

1. ·      Technology shortens our students span...
2. ·         We have to provide them with plenty opportunities to interact with each other.
3. ·        ....I put in practice with a beginner level.
4. ·         Argentinian speakers find very difficult to deal with some specific particles.
5. ·         ....these combination of sounds do not exist in Spanish
6. ·         It's really interesting starting the lesson ...
7. ·         If you have watched any of her videos you would probably be interested in buying one of her books.
8. ·         I don't know where it would take me....
9. ·       ....  teenagers who are building their identity sorrounded by technology impact
10. ·         Students' misbehaviour and lack of respect are relevant issues that cannot be avoided in any sense (meaning)
11. ·         Every group is different as well as each individual is different...

Another class has come and gone....

Hi there!

On Thursday we had our first presentation. It was about "Teaching Direct and Indirect Strategies".The girls in charge of the presentation were Jimena, Araceli and Soledad. They prepared several entertaining games and some other activities. It was all great except for one thing:timing. They were supposed to take between one hour and one hour and twenty minutes. Instead,they took almost three hours...

As I mentioned on Thursday, let's reflect on this and learn... after all, that's what we are here for...

Whenever you prepare a presentation and you have a time limit, rehearse and time yourselves so there are no surprises. This also means that if you have games or activities prepared you have to know exactly how much time you can allow for each one. And in this aspect, you should stick to the plan. Another point  to take into consideration is that you should have plan A (everything you would like to say and do), but also plan B (a ranking of what is the most and the least important so you know in advance what could be left out if necessary). Moreover, when it is a presentation in groups, try to achieve collaborative work: all the members of the group should have equal participation, and should help one another to find the right balance. For example, if in the group there is a shy person,  the others should help this person to feel more comfortable and to participate. Or if there is someone who talks a lot, the other members should help him/her to focus and move on.

What other suggestions do you have? Please leave your comment!!

And ....

Study Weekend

Hi everyone!

Today we had the last class before the term test. We dealt with chapters 5 and 6 on TBLT by David Nunan. You all worked wonderfully well in groups and designed clear and creative posters... Well done!

Now it's time to study... and to rest a little too!

Congrats!!

I want to congratulate all those of you who have been posting news, sites and articles in your blogs! Keep up the enriching work!

Once more, I remind all of you of checking one another's blogs... thus you can benefit from the hard and creative work your classmates are doing!

Reminder

Hi there!!

Remember it is a good idea to check your classmates' blogs as well as mine... they have interesting ideas and reflections, and some have already included links to useful sites.

If you haven't added to your blog the list with our blogs, do it soon because it will prove useful and time-saving.

Continue enjoying the weekend!

Suggestion

Hi again!

I wanted to recommend that you read Sergio's summary of the lecture.... for those of you who were there it will act as a reminder, and for those of you who weren't it will give you a very general overview. If you are interested in finding out more, ask Andrea: she recorded part of the lecture.

Sergio's blog is http://beingtechnologicalteachers.blogspot.com.ar/

Keep up the good work!

Lecture

Hi everyone!

A few hours ago we had the great opportunity of attending Emilio Tenti Fanfani's lecture. I think all of us who were there can agree that it was an enriching experience. First of all, he is an eloquent and entertaining lecturer. Morever, he discussed ideas closely related to our subject matter and our profession. Furthermore, he brought up topics worth reflecting on...

I invite those of you who were there to make comments in this blog for those who were not there... Which one of all the ideas discussed did you find most interesting and/or compelling?

Changing the world

Anyone can change the world.... at least the tiniest bit... Even more so a teacher who is constantly working with children...

Farewell 2013...

In just a few days another year will be over. A year which has been great for some people and not so great for others... A year that has seen the accomplishement of projects, the realization of dreams and a lot of errors that are such a defining element in the life of us humans: after all, that's how we learn, through trial and error. ...

Let's now turn our eyes, minds and hearts towards the year that's about to start.... let's be energetic, positive, hopeful, and let's make a wonderful 2014, shall we?

How to face life...

In the same way in which there are people who are negative, and who like to complain about everything, there are people who spread joy and energy... Which would you like to be?...

Special

Parents, teachers and anyone who is in contact with children is welcome to reflect on the following....

Relief...

It has happened to all of us: things are going great in a class when suddenly an unexpected event jeopardizes the success of our lesson... What should we do?

The answer, of course, is to adapt to what has happened... We have to use our intuition, resort to our previous experiences and "pull a bunny out of a hat"...

But that's ok, is it not? That is an important part of what teaching is all about! So let's enjoy it!

Reflection...

As the famous phrase "Food for the Soul" suggests, it can be very enriching to dwell on some thoughts.... Let's share...