Teacher Discussion Forums

Best I know for working with a single student is:

One-to-One
by
Peter Wilberg
Pub: LTP, London 1987

You might also want to read (for excellent general info on teaching):

The Lexical Approach
by
Michael Lewis
Pub: LTP, London ~1994

Larry Latham

Strider , Indeed they do say "competencies" in the school districts here in Southern California. 8) Actually, that doesn't bother me. The concept bothers me, but not the word. Your dictionary ignores what I think is a striking feature of language ( at least of English ) . Certain aspects we attribu...

Showem , I can't really say that I disagree with what you have said, but I must say that I fear your point-of-view might be dangerous. One of the greatest influences on our professionalism as teachers is whether or not we grow. I would hardly suggest that your point-of-view is unprofessional (indee...

This has the potential to be a huge discussion, and perhaps very valuable for everybody who follows it. But posters who get into this will need their thick skins on--it's time to be adult, everyone. John, you're my kinda guy!! I have great troubles with "concepts" and, as administrators in my part o...

...how do you encourage attendance in adult classes? First of all, as you are no doubt familiar with, a certain amount of attrition is to be expected in adult classes. Adult students have a life outside of the classroom, what with changes in job assignments, family responsibilities, and the like. Th...

Mark, I'd just like to heartily endorse Norm's suggestion. It has several wonderful features: 1. Your student will work with materials and language he himself collects and deems appropriate to his English study. 2. He will study the language and identify those particular parts which are relevant to ...

But if we use the nominal form "We are Australians" we are thinking of ourselves more as individuals. Does it work the same in American and other Englishes? Norm, Indeed it does, at least for "American/Americans" and "Canadian/Canadians". I really love your word, " Englishes "!!! :D What a fine exa...

Mark, Actually , I just wanted to remind you that a good many adverbials are "sentence adverbials" which comment on the entire sentence in which they appear. Frankly , they often come at the beginning of the sentence, although they can alternatively come at the end--as if you didn't think of using i...

Matthew, I have a fair amount of experience with Rosetta Stone . My reaction is mixed. I believe it is generally good for beginning level students who need to increase their vocabulary quickly. It would be fairly good for more advanced level students too if they would use it properly. But the system...

Great point, Strider ! 8) You remind us not only of the living language we speak (and teach...it has ramifications for us to consider when we think about just what we tell our students is " correct "), but also that users of English--and I imagine any other language too--always say just the minimum ...

Hi Roger and Roddy, I've been away for a few days, and haven't seen your replies until now. Roger , There is always some subjectivity involved in such statements. The teacher has the unique privilege of being allowed to judge others' performance Actually, I don't object to the subjectivity. In fact,...

Hi there, Iain and Diana, Just got back from a weekend away, and see you've both been busy with this topic. :D when it comes to teaching it can't but help to understand better how the mind works. Don't you think? Yes indeed, Iain, I certainly agree that the more we teachers understand about how stud...

Hi Iain and Diana, I looked at the article just now. I say "looked at" because I can't really say I read it all. After starting to read, it didn't take me long to feel that I was being propagandized by someone with something to sell. I'm afraid I lost interest pretty quickly and scanned most of the ...

Yes, I also agree with showem that Yes, there's a lot would be the more natural phrase. Remember, I suggested that the other sentence might not be very likely. My interest was in responding to Cecilia's original question of whether her phrasing could be acceptable.

Larry Latham

I would like to know more about the use of these two words. I already have two grammar books, since they are not new I wonder if these words can be accepted in affirmative sentences such as answers like this:" Yes, there is much." The grammar books say they are used mainly in negative statements an...