It's been a pleasure!!

Hi there!!

Today we've had our last class... and I think we all enjoyed it!

I wanted to share with you the videos I mentioned in class. Even if they are not directly related to the teaching of English, they are great examples of the possibilities the TICs offer... I'd love to read your comments on them!

I have found this one unforgettable!!

And here there's another...

Well... it's time to go now, but we'll meet again soon!!

Some more links

Hi!!

Here there is some material that last Friday's groups wanted to share with all of us!

These are some links the girls recommend:

Virtual classrooms:

https://www.schoology.com/

https://www.edmodo.com/

There are endless sources of resources on the internet. Here are some of them:

https://www.englishclub.com/

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/

http://www.kidsunder7.com/

http://www.freehomeschooldeals.com/category/free-printables/

http://www.cookie.com/

http://www.abcfastphonics.com/

http://www.magickeys.com/books/

We are all familiar with www.youtube.com but sometimes we don’t have access to internet at schools. If you use Mozilla Firefox to browse the web, then go to the section of complements and download http://www.downloadhelper.net/ it is really easy to use and allows you to download any video from YouTube (it’s a Firefox extension, therefore only works with Firefox)

You are used to do hundreds of notes and cards on your computer and don’t know what else to do to try to make them interesting? Have you tried using different types of letters? (Fonts).  Already tired of using the same one’s time and time again? Then install new ones! This site has thousand of new interesting fonts. http://www.dafont.com/es/  Some can even be used just for decoration! And they are free!

Are you in need of pictures? This site http://www.deviantart.com/ has billions of them and its users are constantly uploading more. From designers’ stuff to cartoons and concept photos. And tutorials for hand crafts too! Just try exploring it! Some of the photos are just great to engage students in discussions!

Educational technology

Hi there!

Last Friday, after we managed to get a room, we had some feedback on the term test.In particular,we clarified some questions several students had found problematic. Afterwards, we had the last presentation, which was on Educational Technology. It was really clear and well prepared.

Here I share some videos on the use of cuisenaire rods, which we discussed in class.

If you are interested, continue surfing the net...there's a lot of  material on the subject!

Here there are two more links:

video 1

video 2

Have  a great weekend and see you next Friday!!

Next class

Hi everyone!

The girls who are going to deliver the presentation on educational technology next Friday would like you to take a pendrive to class in case you are interested in keeping a copy of the presentation.

See you!!

Next stop.... 2nd term test

Hi everyone!

Last Friday we had the end of a presentation (the one on tools, activities and techniques) ad the presentation on Testing, which was very clear indeed.

Remember next Friday we'll have the Second Term Test: the topics included are:

• Syllabus Design
• Planning Lessons
• Classroom Management
• Focus on Language and
• Testing

So, study hard!

Quiz, class and reminder

Hi there!!

First of all, let me share the link to the quiz the first group prepared to help you go through the topic they presented. I recommend that you do it. Quiz on classroom management.

Second, let me remind you that in two weeks we'll be having the term test, so I suggest you start studying (if yo haven't started yet!). The topics included are all covered in the second part of the year except for the Natural Approach and TBLT.

Third, today we had two more presentations: one on Focus on Language and one (to be completed next Friday) on Tools, techniques and activities. Make sure you read the material on these topics and ask if you have any doubts.

Finally....

Video

Hi there!

The girls from the first group wanted to share this video to illustrate some of the points made in the section: "Do you understand?"

Presentations are on!!

Hi there!!

On Friday we had the first presentation. It was on Classroom Management.... one of the "hot" topics of our subject. Many important points were made; for example, what is included within the term "classroom management", what the different roles a teacher can fulfill are, the good and effective use of the board, etc.

Next Friday there are no classes,so on the following Friday we'll have two presentations (45 minutes long each) The first on Focus on Language and the second on Tools, techniques and activities, so please read the material on these topics.

See you in two weeks!! And remember to contact me if you have any doubts....

Today's class

Hello everyone!

Today we had a class during which we discussed syllabus design in detail and planning, not in a lot of detail yet.

Next class we will start with the presentation on Classroom Management (so please read the material on the topic) and then we will finish working on Planning.

Enjoy this lovely day!!

Today's class

Hello!!

Today we had an unusual and unexpected class. Since most of you had not been able to read the material, we used the class to have more detailed feedback of the homework you handed in last class and to start working on the yearly plan you have to prepare.

For next class we will stick to what we had already agreed on....

Happy teachers' day!!

I wish you a very happy day!! And keep working hard to make children happier and wiser and more ready for a better life!!

Survey for you to complete...

Hi there!

Please answer the following questions and press the "send" button.... Thanks!

Class and news

Hi there!

Yesterday we had another class, during which we organized the presentations and we dealt with TBLT.

As regards the presentations, these are the results:

• 3/10 Classroom management. Group 1: Johana, Carolina, Paula, Melina and Mercedes
• 10/10 Focus on Language. Group 2: Julieta, Laura and Cristina
• 17/10 Tools, techniques and activities. Group 3: Alejandrina, Antonella, Carla, Romina and Verónica
• 24/10 Testing. Group 4: Joaquín, Matías, Nicolás and Cecilia
• 7/11 Educational Technology. Group 5: Ángela, Silvina and Natalia

Those who have not joined any group should do so asap.Groups 1 and 3 are complete, so you have to agree with the people in groups 2, 4 and 5.

Remember guidelines for presentations:

• each presentation should be between 1 hour and 1hour and 20 minutes long. NOT longer, please!
• Before you divide the material among the members of the group, read all the material carefully and then divide it fairly.
• Use projector and possibly other visual aids.
• Preapare at least one activity for your classmates to do at the end of the presentation
• Keep a dynamic pace: interact with the audience, don't have long monologues, etc.

Homework:

Read the Diseño Curricular, and the material on Syllabus Design and Planning lessons.

Print the questionnaires on these two topics I will shortly upload

Prepare (alone, in pairs or in groups - whatever you prefer) a Yearly Plan for either 4th, 5th or 6th grade primary school. This is to be handed in on October 3rd.

We will meet again on September 26th (next Friday I'll be absent and the following there are no classes for Student's Day).

I will also upload a survey soon, which I'd really appreaciate you to complete. Thanks!!

A new class...

Hi there!

Today we started organizing the presentations you have to deliver in this second part of the year. Next class, which will be on September 5th since next Friday I'll be absent, we'll finish organizing them. You have to get into five groups of four or five members each (please, not more than five). The topics and the likely dates are as follows:

• Classroom management - 3/10
• Focus on language - 10/10
• Tools, techniques and activities - 17/10
• Testing - 24/10
• Educational technology 7/11

The likely date for the term test is October 31st.

Then we dealt with the Natural Approach, checking the questionnaire and going deeper into Krashen's five hypotheses.

For homework you have to:

• prepare questions 20 to 22 of the questionnaire on the Natural Approach to hand in.
• re-read the chapter on Task Based Language Teaching
• read the "Diseño Curricular"
• And remember: get in groups

And one more thing to think about: Mercedes mentioned a specific situation she is facing at work: she works at a bilingual school and most of her students refused to speak in English in class. So she decided to put into practice a system through which she hands out stars to all the students who make an effort, work hard and speak English. She does this every day. And at the end of the week she gives little presents to the ones who have more stars. Still, there are several students who refuse to speak in English... How would you deal with this situation? Think about it and post your suggestions!

About tomorrow's class

Hi there!

I wanted to let you know that tomorrow I'll be absent because my son is ill. If you want to get your test score, send me an email and I'll reply asap...

During the holidays check the blog for any news... I'll publish what you have to do and read for after the winter break...

Have great and relaxing holidays!!

Next class

Hello everyone!

In just a few minutes you'll be doing your First Term Test... good luck!

Bear in  mind that for next Friday you have to read chapters 15 on the Natural Approach and 18 on TBLT.

Have a great weekend and go Argentina go!!

About the term test

Hi everyone!

Last Friday a lot of students were absent... remember you have to study for the term test we have on Friday. All the material we have discussed in class will be included in the test. The chapters on Natural Approach and TBLT will NOT be included.

Study hard and see you in three days!

Reminder

Hello everyone!!

Since last Friday there were no classes, I wanted to remind you that in two weeks we'll be having the First Term Test. So, it would be a good idea to start studying.... thus, on Friday you can ask me any questions you have...

Seventh class

Hi everyone!

On Friday we had a new class, during which we discussed Whole Language in depth. Afterwards, students worked individually or in pairs (as they preferred) on the questionnaire on CLT. We only got to discuss the first question, the one on the backgroud of CLT. We mentioned the advantages of making your own timeline, marking with one colour methods/approaches and with another important events in the realms of politics, or economics or any other that has any relevance. This will complement the detailed study of each method in isolation.

For next class (June 27th, since the 20th is a holiday) you have to complete the questionnaire on chapter 14 (not to hand in: to be discussed in class). You also have to read chapter 15 on the Natural Approach and print the questionnaire on it.

It is important to highlight that last Friday I insisted on the importance of respecting deadlines for the homework. From now on, students who do not meet deadlines will no longer have the option to promote without a final exam.

If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to contact me.

Sixth class

Hello!

Yesterday we had our sixth class. Students got in groups according to the groups for the World Cup and then they worked on the questionnaire on Whole Language. They also worked on a five-to-ten-sentence long summary of the chapter. We did not finish sharing the results because a few concerns triggered a reflection on general topics related to teachers and to academic life. So,  we'll finish next Friday.

For next Friday you have to correct the quizzes (this was homework for yesterday but most people didn't do it so I'm giving you another chance) and send me the code again. Also, you have to read chapter 14 on CLT and print the questionnaire you'll find in one of the pages of this blog.

Fifth class

Hello everyone!

Yesterday we had our fifth class. We continued working on Audiolingualism, this time mainly through a group competition. There were four groups: the fatties, the flowers, the all-girls group and the bohemians, who won the competition. We covered in detail everything related to the background of the Audiolingual Method. We also spent some time correcting some language mistakes from the quizzes.

For homework you have to:

• make a chart summarizing the main aspects of Audiolingualism. You can either send it to me by mail or hand it in next class.
• revise and edit your quiz
• read chapter 9
• print questionnaire 3

So... let's get to work! Have a great weekend!

Last but not least....

Here we have one more quiz... Nice work Joaquín, Matías, Nicolás, Cecilia and Samanta!

One more...

Another quiz to take... Only a few students have yet to send me their code...

Another quiz for all of us to take

Well done Rodrigo, Melina, Carolina, Johana, Paula and Mercedes!

Third quiz by students

Nice work, Silvina, Angela, Natalia and Cristina!

Second quiz by students

Good job, Verónica, Antonella and Anabella!

Important!

Hi there, my dear students!

I wanted to let you know that on Friday I'll be absent. So, we'll meet again on Friday 30th.
I hope you get the message, and I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

Meanwhile, keep working on the quizzes. Apart from submitting yours, you should take those prepared by your classmates.

Whatever doubts you have, do not hesitate to contact me.

First quiz by students

Well done Romina, Pablo and Carla!

Fourth class...

Hi dear students!

And yet another class has gone by...

Today we went through the questionnaire on chapter 2, clearing doubts and focusing on key concepts. We also took a look at an application called QuizRevolution

For homework you have to create a quiz of at least ten questions about Audiolingualism; you have to do so in groups of four or five people. Once it is ready you have to send me the embed code by mail so I can publish it in this blog.

Have an excellent weekend!

More links

Hi again!

Here there are two more links provided by students:,

• a comparative chart of different methods http://www.auburn.edu/~nunnath/engl6240/principl.html
• a presentation from Slideshare http://www.slideshare.net/lilianamonserrat/audio-lingual-method

As regards the presentation, you'll see that when the presentation finishes you are shown several other presentations on Audiolingualism. Some of them are worth having a look at.

Links from students

Hi there!!

We'll be meeting in a few minutes... and one of you has sent me three links related to Audiolingualism.... Let's check them out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqeKMwQb1UA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qBq_mcrbC8

and....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqd7OdJoLn0

Another student has just sent me this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz0TPDUz3FU

Now it's someone else's turn... I'm still waiting....

A preview on chapter 4

Third class...

Hi everyone!

We've had our third class. We went through the questionnaire on chapter 1, making sure we cleared all doubts and higlighted the most important concepts. Then students got in groups with a very simple yet useful activity. Each group worked on five of the questions from the questionnaire on chapter 2. Even if we still have to share the results of the group activity, it is clear all the groups worked enthusiastically and very actively... well done! Keep up the good work!

For next class you have to read chapter 4 on Audiolingualism and you have to look for related material in internet. If you find anything especially interesting, send me the link by mail.

Have a great weekend!

Happy day for every worker!!

How much do you know?

Another way of seeing it...

Our second class

Hello everyone!

We've already had our second class. We worked on the chapter "History of Language Teaching". We divided the class into four groups and each group prepared a poster to share. The result was very interesting: four different perspectives on the same topic, each highlighting different aspects of the material read. Well done!

For next class you have to read chapter 2 on the nature of approaches and methods. You also have to work on the questionnaire that I will shortly upload in the "questionnaire" page of this blog. What's more, it would be ideal if you could complement your preparation for next class with some reading on the same topic from different sources: internet is a very valuable resource... let's profit from it!

What teaching is about...

Happy Easter and keep studying!

Hello everyone!

Remember that next Friday we'll be discussing chapter one, on the History of Language Teaching, and the questionnaire on it. If you were absent last class, you have a copy of the questionnaire in one of the upper lids.

Also, and not less important, have an excellent long weekend and very Happy Easter!!

Our first class

Hi there!

We've already had our first class. We started getting to know one another through different activities (a short piece of writing, a game and a quiz) and we started discussing some important concepts of the subject (approach, method, theory of learning, theory of language and others)

For next class you have to get the material from the usual photocopier shop and you have to read chapter 1 "A brief history of language teaching methods". I also handed out a questionnaire that you have to complete based on that chapter.

Also, I highlighted the importance of your consulting different sources so that you can make valuable contributions to the class.

That's all until next class... so far, it's been a pleasure to meet you!

Welcome!

Hello everyone!

I am creating this blog for the students of "Didáctica II", of the English Teacher Training Department of the ISFDyT N°55, in Escobar.

The purpose is to have some extra space, apart from the classroom for us to share material, to keep in touch and to stay updated. I will publish assignments, reflections, suggestions, news and others. I will also publish material created by the students so that we can all profit from the teaching-learning process.

Let's have a great year ahead!