Job Discussion Forums

fluffyhamster · Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 6:46 pm Post subject:

Maybe he's just playing dead? (Edit: or playing hibernating piano LOL). Luring the over-confident predators closer, closer... . (The last thing they'll see is something just like my avatar Very Happy

).

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

They clearly snatched that hamster from the jaws of a fierce terrier and have simply laid him on the white tablecloth as a gesture of respect for his final moments.

Hmmm, how to link THIS to the actual topic of the thread....I don't normally teach (or engage in) creative writing tasks, observed or not...

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 8:14 pm Post subject:

Schnauzers are noted for their hamster-hunting prowess, I believe...

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 8:17 pm Post subject:

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 8:25 pm Post subject:

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Wow, the thread-title fairy's been at work!

Maybe the hamster is in post-observation death throes, having been excoriated for not toeing the CELTA party line, and having applied some undefined conversation-chain approach...

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 7:53 am Post subject:

I think he just talked too much. In the lesson and outside. That's a big no-no. Loose lips sink hamsters, as they say over the Urals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciXzCffoR1w

fluffyhamster · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 12:34 am Post subject:

Move along, move along. Nothing to see here but a half-dead hamster exhausted from searching for better methods.

Re. "Hamstertanic":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og1fQyN1mmg

Sashadroogie · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 5:22 am Post subject:

Half-blind hamster, did you say? Look right under your nose, man! Plenty of solid methodology strewn about the place. Doesn't come with instant treats, though. Which I know is what hamsters and lab rats require most when they solve laboratory puzzles. Perhaps that is the underlying issue? Not cheesy enough? : )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwR6HOe8P3Y

Sashadroogie · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 5:23 am Post subject:

"Hey teacher! We don't need no methodology!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyHJxZB3pMs&feature=related

Good treats here : )

teacheratlarge · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 192 Location: Japan

Sashadroogie · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 7:57 am Post subject:

What has Fluffy given us, exactly? I must have missed that detail due to the presence of a high number of distractingly cute videos...

Sashadroogie · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:55 am Post subject:

"I still disagree as to textbooks for a new reason; why should a teacher have to exploit a crappy book; why be forced to use it at all if it's that bad (which some of the texts are)? "

For the same reason that teachers have to deal with poorly motivated learners, broken equipment, illogical management, bad weather etc. There is not always a lot one can do to change it, so developing ways of dealing with it is the only realistic solution. Unless we consider just whining a solution. I don't.

artemisia · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 875 Location: the world

Fluffy talked about the pair relationship as being the ideal language learning situation for students who had studied the basics of language on their own first.

ELT involves so many different situations that it is risky to make generalisations. However, as far as I can see, the majority of most teaching situations for most English language teachers would involve dealing with groups of learners, at least at some point or another. I doubt the majority of those learners would be solely self-taught before turning up in your classroom, but they almost certainly would have had some experience of English learning prior (unless they really are absolute beginners). I�ve had a lot of one to one situations, but most of my experience has been with groups.

For those who haven�t seen it:

Jeremy Harmer at the International House Conference 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJWT0oaX9V0&feature=related

A very interesting plenary talk on conversation-driven language teaching, but also in relation to the use of course books since that topic's come up. The intro (another person first) is a bit slow, but it�s worth hanging in there.