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John Hall · Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:04 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the interesting ideas.

Has anyone ever taught a course by telephone? I did once, and what a challenge it was! The students were beginners and the only visual materials that I could use were scanned images sent by email to students before the lesson. Everything else had to be done audially. For some students, presumably visual learners, the course was really tough. But I think all students improved their audial learning skills. That's partly why I asked the question. I wanted to know if there are techniques for improving the audial listening skills of visual learners.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Here is the link to the movie-making web site I mentioned earlier.
http://www.zimmertwins.ca/

Telephone lessons can be pretty pricey in countries where even local calls cost money. I wouldn't even try a phone lesson without video, and nowadays many people/companies are cashing in on free services like that using Skype and other programs. With those, you have the option of turning off your video, too, and just providing the audio, plus sending text or picture files while you teach.

wildchild · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 519 Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010

Hello,

would anyone be willing to post a sample lesson plan?

wintersweet · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 12:58 am Post subject:

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

It's very true, that trying to present things in different ways is helpful, and may get students to digest something on more than one level.

One thing to note though, trying to 'force' students to learn a certain way doesn't always work or may be counterproductive. I generally let my students take notes in any language and even allow notes in some 'speaking' activities as Japanese learning methods are deeply ingrained in some of them. Even for myself, I like aural and visual reinforcement, hence TPR works well for some.

MELEE · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 11:14 pm Post subject:

zorro (3) · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 202

Is it all just a fad as with most educational theories? Personally, I find the theory of Multiple Intelligences soul sapping and exruciatingly excruciating. I'm sorry, but the thought of sitting down before each class and planning my lesson to try and incorporate Gardner's ideas utterly depresses me. Why can't I just teach English using my nouse (I have no idea how to spell 'nouse' so I guessed)?

Sorry for the mini rant, and please ignore me.

zorro (3) · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 202

Is it all just a fad as with most educational theories? Personally, I find the theory of Multiple Intelligences soul sapping and exruciatingly excruciating. I'm sorry, but the thought of sitting down before each class and planning my lesson to try and incorporate Gardner's ideas utterly depresses me. Why can't I just teach English using my nouse (I have no idea how to spell 'nouse' so I guessed)?

Sorry for the mini rant, and please ignore me.

tedkarma · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 7:21 am Post subject:

"Multiple Intelligences" is just another way of saying, what we knew all along, that some people are better at some things - and others are better at other things . . . uh . . . for different reasons that we can attempt to categorize if we want to.

No need to stress over it - or pay it too much attention. BUT - we should note that our students have different skills and abilities and teach to their strengths and build up the areas where they are weak.

rusmeister · Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 867 Location: Russia

nomadder · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:59 pm Post subject:

Thanks Jetgirly. Interesting! It reminds me of a student I tutored here at home. He really liked learning from movies but detested books or even magazines. His speaking and listening was great but he often made mistakes at very simple things in reading and writing. This sort of explains that and makes you wonder how many could have learned better in different learning environments at school.