Search found 18 matches

by birdy
Thu Jun 21, 2012 4:11 am
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Role of teacher
Replies: 4
Views: 3878

I read a book (Brown) that says that students who are self-confident are more willing to communicate. Student that are being able to take more risks, while using their language skills, have the ability to accomplish more. In order for students to take this risk, they need to be confident in their la...
by birdy
Thu Jun 21, 2012 3:22 am
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Alternative Assessments
Replies: 8
Views: 5074

In regards to the portfolio I would usually, depending on the age group, have students make a guided choice of which work they want to put in their portfolio. That can enhance students’ ability to choose and select their work based on their learning achievement. I also have students fill out "forms"...
by birdy
Sun Jun 17, 2012 8:30 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Writing strategy
Replies: 3
Views: 2996

I agree. I also think that there are many techniques that help students to write sentences; even they do not know many words or do not know how to spell the words. For ELL I think it is for example important to provide a lot of visuals connected to word, e.g. have vocabulary poster in the classroom ...
by birdy
Thu Jun 14, 2012 12:39 pm
Forum: Secondary School Education
Topic: host family wanted for 13-year-old German pupil
Replies: 2
Views: 3460

Many of our students are Americans with German Heritage. So, they would both benefit from an exchange.
by birdy
Thu Jun 14, 2012 12:35 pm
Forum: Secondary School Education
Topic: host family wanted for 13-year-old German pupil
Replies: 2
Views: 3460

I think the American Association of German Teachers could be helpful. I work in a German Saturday School and will post your offer there. Wish you all the best.
by birdy
Thu Jun 14, 2012 12:28 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Teaching Listening Skills
Replies: 1
Views: 2343

Teaching Listening Skills

I read a book chapter (Brown) on how to teach listening skills effectively. It is important to integrate all four skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) with a special focus on the intended objective. Additionally, the listening activity should be intrinsically motivating and authentic. ...
by birdy
Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:01 am
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Alternative Assessments
Replies: 8
Views: 5074

I want to add, that portfolios also show students that language learning is a life-long process.
by birdy
Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:59 am
Forum: Assessment
Topic: How often do you give assessments?
Replies: 2
Views: 5667

When I was teaching English as a Foreign Language the book provided 4 tests (reading, writing, listening and speaking) to every chapter. I never did all the tests that the book provided. In addition the book had self-check exercises for students. I think it is important to have a good relationship w...
by birdy
Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:32 am
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Alternative Assessments
Replies: 8
Views: 5074

Portfolios are a great way of assessment, because students can collect the work that shows their progress in the language they are learning. I did portfolio work with first graders before, because the school wanted every child to have a portfolio which shows their progress in language learning throu...
by birdy
Mon Jun 04, 2012 3:25 am
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Questions
Replies: 1
Views: 1812

Questions

I am currently studying to become an ESL teacher and I read a book chapter about questioning strategies that enhance interactive learning. As an elementary school teacher I once had a peer observation focusing just on the type of questions I ask. I was surprised, how many questions I asked in one le...
by birdy
Tue May 29, 2012 4:29 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Making Decisions Based on Reactions of Students
Replies: 6
Views: 4005

I think they can learn English easier through contents, e.g. science. You are still teaching them English and in addition the students for instance learn the frog development. I had very good experiences teaching content integrated language classes and my students appreciated the enriching topics.
by birdy
Tue May 29, 2012 4:22 pm
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: Making Decisions Based on Reactions of Students
Replies: 6
Views: 4005

I totally agree that it is important to have additional materials to be prepared for changes. There can be many unexpected challenges that will demand the teacher to change the plan for the day. Sometimes an insect in the room or snow outside are enough to distract the entire class for the lesson. I...
by birdy
Sun May 27, 2012 4:08 am
Forum: Activities and Games
Topic: List of great web activities & games
Replies: 70
Views: 169570

Can I be cheeky and add my Grammarman site to the list? http://www.grammarmancomic.com It's small in comparison to the giants listed above, but I think it's the only EFL site with comics specifically for English students. Brian I think this is a great website. There are comics for beginners, e.g. f...
by birdy
Sun May 27, 2012 3:51 am
Forum: Computer Assisted Language Learning
Topic: How to make CAll effective in middle school teaching?
Replies: 6
Views: 9547

That is true. If the computer is used as an efficient tool, I think the students can really benefit. I noticed that it very helpful and motivating to use for example entertaining or informing videos. But I actually only use the computer when I directly instruct the whole class or the class needs it ...
by birdy
Tue May 22, 2012 2:28 am
Forum: Elementary Education
Topic: teaching beginners
Replies: 5
Views: 3601

I also read the book and I think Brown states in his book that teaching beginners is challenging, because there is so much focus on the teacher. For beginners it is more difficult to initiate language learning. They first need to learn some concepts before they can for example ask questions. Therefo...