Teacher Discussion Forums

TPR is such a great way to get students of any age involved and eager to learn! I have yet to become a teacher (I'm in graduate school now) but I am thinking that I would like to work with preschool-4rd graders. What TPR activity works best for the preschoolers? I would think activities that involve...

The issue of incorporating/allowing students to use their native language in the classroom is something I'm still very unsure about while studying to become an ESL teacher. While I FULLY support and encourage the use of students' L1 at home, I'm uncertain whether or not to allow future students to u...

I have been reading about teaching speaking in Teaching by Principles by H. Douglas Brown. Is there a "right" time to really concentrate on oral communication skills for ELLs? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I would have thought the earlier in their schooling (i.e. preschool and kindergarten) the bette...

Is it possible for a first time English speaker (or even someone who has been speaking English for only a couple of years) to benefit from listening exercises? From what I’ve read in Brown’s Teaching by Principles, it seems very difficult for ELLs to breakdown what they hear, whether it be on televi...

Although I have yet to teach in an ESL setting, I have to say that I was surprised to learn how many different tests ESL students have to take. I agree with you, Wendy, that it would be nice to stray away from standardized tests because they do cause a lot of extra and unnecessary pressure. I myself...

However a teacher assesses or tests their classroom’s comprehension is important. There seems to be a checklist for what constitutes a valid assessment. In my opinion, making sure a test is valid is probably the most important aspect of the assessment. According to Brown’s Teaching by Principles, va...

I feel that group work is an excellent way to get students motivated and involved in everyday lessons. It is a great tool to ensure students' comprehension because it enables them to communicate with other students and the teacher so much more. In order for ELL's spoken English to improve, I believe...

How helpful is the SILL (Strategy Inventory for Language Learning) version for Speakers of Other Languages Learning English? I think it’s important to get an understanding for both students’ language learning capabilities and their desire to learn English but is there an easier way than through a te...

I have to agree with mlordon's point that technology is changing at a ridiculously fast pace. So fast it seems impossible to be able to keep up. Is it possible to ensure ELL's exposure to technology? As everyone knows, new technology is not cheap. Suppose you're teaching ESL in a school where there ...

Nowadays technology seems to be the number one teaching assistant. Where should the line be drawn between a healthy use of technology and overuse of technology in the classroom? I do not want to become reliable on software and technology to make it through everyday lessons. Are there workshops speci...

I appreciate your replies! It's nice to know I'm not completely alone with my fears. Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I've heard it seems as though an ESL teacher never knows what to expect student-wise or curriculum-wise before entering the classroom. I've been told stories about teachers hav...

Is there a "right" way to create a lesson plan? It seems near impossible to draw out a lesson plan that is so detailed that anyone can teach the lesson or unit. It would be extremely helpful for new teachers to have a skeletal plan - one where they can get a feel for how a lesson plan should realist...

This is a fear of mine that I have for my future teaching career! I'm nervous about the lack of respect and dismissal of ELL students by mainstream teachers. I have heard stories about the attitudes teachers have towards their ESL students (or just ELLs in general!) and I have to say it makes me wan...

Teaching by Principles suggests that teaching beginners ESL is probably the most difficult. This question goes out to those who have a lot of ESL teaching experience: do you think it's wise to start out your teaching career with beginners? Or would you suggest intermediate to advanced? I realize th...

Although I'm not an official ESL teacher, I'm very much aware of what you're saying. I have read a number of books that tell teachers to not continuously correct your ELLs but to let them correct themselves. Giving positive feedback is clearly essential but at what point should a teacher let an ELL ...