OMG!

We've just our last class but one... unbelievable!

Today we had a very enjoyable and enriching presentation on Educational Technology. Paola, Yamila, Tamara and Eliana delivered their class and shared with us some very interesting ideas.

This is the video they shared... very interesting!

And here is the video I mentioned...

Well, I hope you find it interesting and thought provoking!

Testing and others

Hi there!!

Today we had a very interesting presentation on Testing. It was delivered by Cynthia, Yamila, Yanina, Natalia and Micaela. Afterwards, we focused on some of the trickiest points when it comes to testing. Please remember that it is important that you read the material.

We will be meeting again in two weeks, for the last presentation (on Educational Technologies). That day some people will also be sitting for an exam.

Finally, we will meet on November 18th for our last class. That day I will be signing your cards, we will deal with Focus on Language and we will share some rounding off activities.

For now, let me just tell you to...

Just three more classes to go!

Hi there!

Today, just a few hours ago, we had the Second Term Test. There are only four more weeks before classes finish:

October 28th: presentation on Testing
November 4th: Fairy Tale Festival
November 11th: presentation on Educational Technology and MAKE UP
November 18th: Focus on Language and LAST CLASS ACTIVITIES

So, try to relax a bit to gain strength for these last few weeks!!

Next stop... term test!

Hi there!!

Yesterday the second group delivered their presentation. Luz, Johana, Brian, Estefanía and Valeria shared interesting ideas on tools, techniques and activities. I hope you were paying attention, because some of those ideas are going to be included in the term test!

Click here to see their presentation

Please remember to hand in the plan... only those who haven't handed it in yet (those who have to make some corrections can do it after the term test).

Remember you have to study all the topics we have dealt with in this second part of the year... and let me know if you have any doubts.

Finally,

We are meeting next week

Hi there!!

You must have heard it by now, but I wanted to let you know all the same.... Today there are no classes....

So, we are meeting next Friday!

Presentations are on!!

Hi there!!

Yesterday we had the first group presentation of the year. Milagros, Victoria, Daniel and Matías delivered a clear and entertaining presentation on "Classroom Management".

Remember that even if your classmates present the topic in class, you MUST read the material. Also, please remember to bring feedback on their presentation for next class (you can write your name or leave it anonymous, as you prefer).

Bear in mind that it is highly likely that next Friday we won't have classes due to the Day of Escobar... stay tuned for news and updates.

Let me remind you that even if there are changes in the dates because of the holiday or any other reason, WE WILL NOT CHANGE THE DATE OF THE TERM TEST.

So far, the topics to be included are:

• Communicative Language Teaching
• The Natural Approach
• Task Based Language Teaching
• Syllabus Design
• Classroom Management.

To these we will add the other topic/topics we will share in class before October 21st.

If you have any doubts or comments, do not hesitate to leave your comment below!!

Last but not least, 

Syllabus design

Hi there!

Today we dealt with Syllabus Design, which is not a difficult topic in theory but that may be complicated in practise. For homework (for September 30th) you have to make a yearly plan. You have to choose a class (4th, 5th or 6th primary school) and design the syllabus for  a year. You have to write it both in English and in Spanish and you have to include information as regards the unit, project or final task, time, linguistic items and examples of activities.

Remember you can either post a comment or send me an e mail if you have any doubts.

Also, remember that next class (September 30th because September 23rd I'll be absent) we have the first presentation. It will be about Classroom Management, so please read the material on this topic.

Finally, I'd like to thank you again for the lovely gift. It was a lovely surprise!!

And now just...

TBLT

Hi there!!

Today we had classes. Again several people were absent and several were late. Let's try to improve attendance and punctuality, shall we?

We worked on Task Based Language Teaching, fousing on the key aspects: background, approach (theory of language and theory of learning), design (syllabus, objectives, types of activities, roles of learners, teachers and material and procedure). We also concentrated on the similarities and differences between TBLT and CLT.

For next class you have to read the material on Syllabus and the "Diseño Curricular".

And remember that presentation dates are getting nearer, so start getting ready!

Last but not least...

The Natural Approach

Hi there!!

Today, after my successful "classroom hunting", we had a class on The Natural Approach. We discussed the background and the theories of language and of language learning underlying it.

For next class, you must prepare a chart or summary on the design aspects of this approach, answer the question of how  the procedure of this approach is innovative and draw your own conclusions. Also, you have to read chapter 18 on Task Based Language Teaching.

Now, I'll share with you the video Valeria recommended (thanks Valeria!!)

Finally, let me wish you a....

Classes and organization

Hello!!

Yesterday we had classes.... again several people were absent, and again many of those who were present had not done their homework.... I know we are all busy and we all have a lot of responsibilities, but it is still very important that you attend classes and that you read the material for each class.

We covered all the questionnaire on chapter 14: Communicative Language Teaching, focusing on the most important characterisitcs and contributions of this Approach.

For next class you must read chapter 15 on The Natural Approach and you have to do the questionnaire on the chapter that you can find in this blog.

Also, we organized the presentations:

Likely date	Topic	Group
23/9 or 30/9	Classroom Management	Matías, Victoria, Daniel and Milagros
7/10 or 14/10	Tools, techniques and activities	Luz, Johana, Estefanía, Braian and Valeria
14/10 or 28/10	Testing	Cinthia, Natalia, Yamila A., Micaela and Yanina
28/10 or 4/11	Educational Technology	Paola, Tamara, Eliana and Yamila S.

Next class we will discuss more details on the presentations.

And well, now just let me wish you...

Back from the winter break

Hi there!!

Yesterday we met again after several weeks. Well, some of us did: there were several people absent....

I gave you back your term tests and provided feedback, both as regards contents and as regards language. We started dealing with chapter 14, on CLT, focusing mainly on its background.

For next class you must read chapter 14 (very few people had read it for yesterday's class....). You must also answer the questionnaire on this chapter that you can find in this blog. The answers are not to hand in, but you must have them ready to share in class. You should also read chapter 15 on The Natural Approach, and print the questionnaire on this chapter.

Next class we'll also organize the presentations you will have to deliver in groups from September 23rd onwards. You need to get into 5 groups (so that would be 4 groups of 4 and 1 group of 5). If you do not organize the groups, I will have to do it,... of course it is far better if you decide for yourselves, don't you think?

Well, now it's time to

Friday class!!

Hello!!!!!!

In three days, we'll be meeting again!!!

Please make sure to have read chapter 14 on CLT (Communicative Language Teaching), so we can have a more effective class!

See you soon!!

IMPORTANT!!

Hi there!!

I'm sorry to tell you that tomorrow I won't be able to go, since I have a (painful) ear infection. Therefore, the new date for the term test is July 15th (remember next week I'm not going and the following one Friday is a holiday).

I'm really sorry to be changing our plans, but such is life: unexpected things happen!!

Take care and study!!!

One more!!!!

Code:

Another quiz!!

Third Quiz

Second quiz

First Quiz 2016

Audiolingualism

Hi again!!

We've just finished dealing with Audiolingualism. Each group explained a section of the chapter, and then together we clarified some points. I hope that by now all doubts have been cleared.

For next class you have to read chapter 9 on Whole Language, you have to print the questionnaire on that chapter that you can find in this blog (check the page that says questionnaire 3) and you have to finish making up your own quiz.

It might be a good idea for you to check the quizzes made by students last year. To do that, click on the word "audiolingualism" on the word cloud to your right, so you can find earlier entries...

And remember that on June 24th we have the term test...

Audiolingualism

Hello dear!!!

Have you arrived home yet? We've just had a class....

 Today you worked in groups, organized by colours. Each group got a section of the chapter on audiolingualism to focus on. You had to make a poster and prepare an explanation for your classmates. You all worked really well!!!

Next class each group will share their poster and explain their part. If we have time, we'll start dealing wtih chapter 9 on Whole Language, so please read the chapter (don't worry, it's very short!!!)

Also, you have to prepare the quiz I had told you about. You have to do it in groups. It should contain between ten and fifteen multiple choice questions. The questions can be about audiolingualism (about all the chapter or the part of the chapter you focused on today) or about the three chapters we've read so far. Once you have the questions ready, you should use an application to share it with the rest of us. It can be http://www.quizrevolution.com/ or any other that you prefer. When you have finished your quiz you have to send me the embed code (by mail or as a comment in the blog) so I can post your quiz here in the blog!!

Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any doubts....

And now...

IMPORTANT NEWS

Hello, my dear students!!!

I'm sorry to tell you that today I won't be able to go...I'm sick... I hope you see this on time!!

Remember to check the blog frequently to stay updated.

Have a nice weekend!

It's May already!

Hi!!!

Today we had classes: we finished dealing with chapter two on the nature of methods and approaches and then we started discussing the background of Audiolingualism.

For next class you have to read chapter 4 (only 1 student had read it for today's class!!)

Also, it turns out that the opening activities to celebrate the anniversary of the Institute are on May 19th and 20th and no activities of the English department have been included, so the activity we were planning will be just for us, just for the blog, and only with Quiz Revolution... we'll discuss it in more detail next class.

Just one more thing before leaving you alone to enjoy your weekend: I notice that there are many students who have been absent on several classes, and also there are many students who come to class without reading the material... Let's try to improve this situation for the quality of our lessons. Bear in mind that in order to promote without a final exam, attendance and  participation in class are very important...

Now yes, let me wish you a ...

Last class of April

Hi there!!

Yesterday we had another class, the last one of this first month of classes....

First, we started sharing ideas for the Anniversary class (most likely May 27th), which led to a reflection on the current situation of our Institute and our lace in the Institute.

Second, you got in groups depending on your birthdays...

Third, you worked on the questionnaire on chapter 2 on the nature of methods and approaches.

Finally, we discussed the first questions on the questionnaire. Next class we'll finish dealing with it.

For homework you should:

• re read chapter 2
• finish the questionnaire (not to hand in, but you must have the answers ready to share in class)
• read chapter 4
• get in groups of 4 or 5 students to start working on the activities we'll prepare for the Anniversary class.. And, related to this,
• do some research on the history of language teaching (read from different sources)

Last but not least,

To start working on...

Hi there, my dear students!!

Today, as I posted two days ago, we have no classes (my daughter is ill). But there is something that you can start working on...

I don't know if you know that this year we'll be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Institute. There will be several activities throughout the year with the aim of having students, teachers and the community participate in the celebration.

The beginning of the cycle of activities will be at the end of May. On Friday 27th May, most likely, we'll participate. Yes! WE: you and I and... Ms Martinez.

To start getting ready, there are two things that you can do: get organized in groups of 5 or 6 and do research on History of Language Teaching  (to go deeper into what we read in chapter1).

Soon I'll tell you more about it!

IMPORTANT!!!!!!

Hi there!!!

I want to let you know that on Friday I will be absent because my daughter is ill.

Please check the blog in the next few days for news....

See you soon!!!

Yesterday's class and something else....

Hi there!!

Yesterday we had our third class.... again it was rainy, again several people were absent....

We finished dealing with chapter 1, on a brief history of language teaching history. I'm really satisfied with the participation of several students... well done!! And for the shy ones who still don't dare, and the ones who had not read the material.... come on!! You can do it!!

We started dealing with the second chapter, on the nature of approaches and methods. We tried to clarify some concepts, so that for next class you can re read the chapter and understand it in more depth.

We also exchanged some ideas on the the educational system, its origin, its current status and the challenge ahead of us. In that context I mentioned Flavia Terigi's work... here I share some material worth reading and reflecting on...

http://www.chubut.edu.ar/concurso/material/concursos/Terigi_Conferencia.pdf

Second class

Hi there!!

We've just had our second class... first for several of you... Today we dealt with chapter 1 "A brief history of language teaching". We focused on a questionnaire to concentrate on the most important concepts discussed in the chapter.

For next class you have to read (or re read) chapter 1, you have to finish the questionnaire and you have to read chapter 2. Also, you should print questionnaire 2 (check the upper pages in the blog).

Well... that's all for now...

Welcome to the 2016 group!!!

Today, Friday April 1st, we've had our first class. It's a rainy day, so few people were there.... few but wonderful!! Welcome Cinthia, Yamila A., Micaela, Natalia, Valeria, Paola P., Luz, Johana, Matías, Paola T. (Happy birthday!!), Daniel, Yamila S. and Milagros!!!!

Today we carried some "getting to know one another" activities, we discussed some of the goals of the subject, we discussed the conditions to promote without final exam and we started sharing ideas on the history of language teaching.

For next Friday you need to get the material from Milgraff, and you need to read the first chapter. Also, it would be great if you could print (just print, not do)  questionnaire 1 from this blog.

Well, it's been a real pleasure to meet you.... see you again in one week!!!