Job Discussion Forums

[gregd75]

US Consulate General Guadalajara

Public Affairs Office

Dear English Teachers:

Web Chats for English Teachers

We are pleased to invite you to participate in a series of Web chats on English teaching methodology, organized by the US Embassy in Lima, Peru. Join us from a computer with audio and internet access through https://statedept.connectsolutions.com/peru; choose the option �Enter as a Guest�, register yourself entering your name and city (Example: Marcela � Lima) and click on �Enter Room�.


* If you want to submit your questions in advance, click on the link above. Please provide your name, city, and country.

Program:

Webchat Speaker Date Time
Using Learner Centered Communicative Methodology for Teaching English: Student Engagement through Reading

The Communicative Approach to language teaching and learning emphasizes real communication to promote learning. Students are encouraged to use English in tasks that are meaningful to them and as a means of expressing themselves. How can we as teachers design lessons to create an active, student-centered classroom where the students� interests and needs are taken into consideration? Vivian Leskes, English Language Specialist Nov 10 3pm � 3:45pm
Using Learner Centered Communicative Methodology for Teaching English: Communicative Conversation Classes Vivian Leskes, English Language Specialist Nov 12 7:30am - 8:30am


Vivian Leskes Ward, English Language Specialist


Vivian Leskes Ward is an English Language Specialist with the US Department of State and Professor of ESL at Holyoke Community College, Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA, where she has worked for nineteen years and served as Chair of the Department of Language Studies. In 2008 she was an American Fulbright Senior Scholar at Irkutsk State Linguistic University (IGLU), in Irkutsk, Siberia, Russia where she lectured English teachers and modeled current methodology in language instruction in the United States. In addition to three years of teacher training work in Russia, she has conducted trainings in Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Indonesia. Professor Leskes is a student of languages as well as an English teacher. She speaks Spanish, has intermediate skills in French, and has been studying Russian since 2002. Her book of essays, Lost in Siberia, will be published by Haley�s, Athol, Massachusetts at the end of 2010.

Additional resources on Using Learner Centered Communicative Methodology for Teaching English:


Hsu, J. (2004). Reading without teachers: Literature circles in an EFL classroom.

Paper presented at the Cross-Strait Conference on English Education. Education Resources Information Center. http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED492558

Vivian Leskes� Merlot website on the Learner-Centered Classroom: http://contentbuilder.merlot.org/toolkit/html/snapshot.php?id=86502000118142

[mejms]

Great stuff. I wish you had posted it even earlier. Where did you come across this? Really excellent.

[MotherF]

The US Embassy department of Language support has a mailing list (and a facebook feed) that keep interested professionals in the loop about these kind of events.

Contact
Jose Manuel Villafuerte
Office of English Language Programs
U.S. Embassy Mexico

To get on the email list. Or search Office of English Language Programs for Mexico and Central America on facebook.

[gregd75]

As part of my efforts to develop professionally I have (as you probably already know) gotten involved in MEXTESOL.

Through this medium, I receive lots of information like this!

Theres lots out there for EFL teachers - if people are interested.

I'd second the previous comment concerning Jose Manuel. He's a GREAT guy and if you get on his mailing list, you'll receive a bunch of great resources.

Good luck! Greg

[Professor]

Thanks for the information, Greg. I'll put it to good use.

[mejms]

[gregd75]

[email protected]

mail him, explain that you'd like to be on the his State department mailing list and he'll oblige.

Him, Brenda and Kitty are a great team there in DF

[mejms]