Mar 15, 2018
Other 1309 Views
The best games are the ones we play together, aren’t they? We believe that it’s the same with educational games. So, we’ve created delightfully interactive educational games that bring together kids and their very first teachers – parents. Early learning experiences with parents influence how, and how much, a child learns; that’s why bonding is just as important as skill building. Because if learning time is loved, the lessons will be too.
Mar 14, 2018
Teaching 1649 Views
~~Reading is a very important element in our everyday lives and learning (83% of our learning is visual) and it is important to consider that we never stop learning to read.
How do you read the following text styles?
Poetry, stage dialogue, a cinema listings page, a web page, a text message, a train timetable, information on an air ticket, an instruction booklet, a recipe, an academic text, the news bar that runs under newscasters on television, fictional genres (Sci-fi; thrillers etc.)
You have learnt, through exposure and practice, to read all of the above and each of them requires a different application of reading strategies. To understand these texts the reader needs a good grasp of language, knowledge of the writer’s culture and appropriate strategies to read the information. With all this in mind we can help our learners become better readers.
First, we will look at how we read and then look at some practice activities.
We read things that interest us
Obvious when you think ...
Mar 10, 2018
Learning Methodology 2474 Views
When it comes to teaching, it may seem challenging to aim for new perspectives related to refining the Learning Process. In this context, phenomena like Globalization and the advent of the Internet exemplify that students' minds have constantly changed, showing that school subjects have to be taught under a new glance. Opposing to individualistic practices, Cooperative Learning is an excellent way to introduce 21st century students to a changing world, letting their voices be heard and bringing back interaction to the classroom.
Whenever teamwork is valorized, a more meaningful knowledge is produced. By working together, students can get effectively involved with the issues they study and be stimulated to share resources and information with each other, so that everyone's learning is maximized. Rather than being shy and not asking questions, through Cooperative Learning students are invited to expose doubts that enrich the learning environment.
Adopting Cooperative Learning, however, ...
Mar 10, 2018
Career Development 3373 Views
Language teaching is a unique field which has seen a tremendous amount of change in recent years. Emerging technologies have fundamentally altered the language teacher's role and opened up instructional opportunities undreamed of just 15 years ago. Government policies have mandated bilingual education programs, fostered the development of a Common European Framework, and acted to protect endangered languages. Theoreticians have moved to a post-method era in recognition that language teaching and learning is a dynamic system with the teacher as autonomous agent in the classroom, responsible for making calculated decisions based on experience, professional training, and the immediate needs of his or her learners.
While our field's rapid evolution is exciting to watch, it also signals the importance of ongoing professional development. For teachers with limited resources (monetary, time, or access), the challenge comes in the form of weighing options. There are five paradigms of ...
Mar 10, 2018
TOEFL/TOEIC/IELTS 2053 Views
The IELTS Academic Writing Test is regarded as the toughest test out of the four sections of the IELTS test. In the Writing Test. There are two tasks to do - Task1 and Task2. Candidates should first collect some free study materials from the Internet, and follow the instructions and tips given there about how to write an essay. But this is not a skill to develop without expert help, because apart from writing the essay in the correct format, the candidates need to know how to write error-free complex sentences, using a wide range of vocabulary appropriately. Execution of grammatical skill is a big factor. The essay writing job falls in Task 2, and candidates need to write in minimum 250 words, with hardly any spelling mistakes while chasing for a high Band Score.
A candidate should study at least a 'High Standard Essay Book' for gathering adequate knowledge on how to compose a top quality, perfectly structured essay.
The candidates should always follow the basic structures of an ...
Mar 5, 2018
E-Learning/CALL 2023 Views
Just like any other language, English has its moments of beauty and grace. A small punctuation mark can make a tremendous difference to what you want to convey. This example will help you understand.
A group of people were given a sentence to punctuate.
‘A woman without her man is incomplete.’
The men in the group wrote, ‘A woman, without her man, is incomplete.’ At the same time, the women had a different view of the same. They wrote, ‘A woman, without her, man is incomplete.’
See the difference in the way men and women use the punctuation marks. The sentences now have two diametrically opposite meanings. This is the beauty of the English language. You learn such small nuggets of wisdom at Wizmantra’s English classes online.
Pronunciation is a very important aspect of any language, especially English. Take the example of the word, ‘psychology’. You write it with the ‘P’ but while pronouncing it, you omit the ‘P’. No other language in the world has such subtle adjustments. You need to ...
Feb 20, 2018
Teaching 2672 Views
Facts about Volunteering Teaching in India.
Volunteering teaching is one of the noblest acts anyone with proper education can do for others. The best gift you can give to anyone is knowledge; this gift abides forever with whomever it has been given. Every other thing can be lost in this world but the education that one acquires can never be lost – it abides forever. When you volunteer in India as a teacher you are offering the most precious ruby that can never be lost to the young ones, which will be passed from one generation to another.
If you are interested in volunteering as a teacher in India, there are some facts you should consider to prepare yourself beforehand. Obviously your fluency in English and some level of education is a necessary asset, but there are some other important facts that will determine your success as a volunteer in this third world country. I have seen a lot of volunteers start out with a lot of zeal and excitement and end up in frustration, just because ...
~~1. Establish ground rules from the first day of class and be clear, consistent and fair throughout
2. Remember the learners' names. Encourage them to use and remember their classmates' names. Use their names often when teaching (ie. talking to them, making requests, TPR exercises, learners passing back notebooks or workbooks, playing games, etc.)
3. Show them what to do. Don't explain. Just do. They will follow your lead. English needs to be experienced, not explained.
4. Encourage trust between you and the learners. Through your actions show them that you will never embarrass them for making a mistake in English.
5. Use eye contact to communicate your praise and disappointment.
6. Create well-planned, consistent lessons with a predictable format which gives the learners a sense of security and balance. Learners feel more confident if they know what to expect.
7. Always be pleasantly surprised when learners interact with each other or you in English.
8. Reassure your learners that ...
Feb 13, 2018
Teacher Training 2981 Views
~~What are Concept Check Questions (CCQs)?
What are Concept Check Questions? A question to lead learners to understand or demonstrate their understanding of the meaning of a new item (vocab or structure).
Why Use Them? They involve learners in the process of clarifying meaning and the teacher can check if learners have understood.
When are They Used? During the clarification stage, before highlighting the form and drilling so learners are clear on the meaning of what they are saying. As well as throughout the lesson.
How are They Made? Simplify language analysis so learners can understand the language used, then make the main points into questions. For example:
Target Language Main Points Questions
I’ve been to China. I went in the past. We don’t know when. I’m not there now.
Did I go in the past?
Do we know when I went?
Am I in China now?
CCQs are not the only way to check learners’ understanding of the language or concepts presented.
Ways of Checking Meaning
...
Feb 3, 2018
Career Development 1587 Views
Applying for a qualified teacher position that you seen advertised does not mean you will be appointed to the role. When is a teacher not a teacher? When you do not have the specific qualifications and past experience in the subject area that the employer is looking for. This information is based on my personal experience and input from others.
As a qualified/certified high school teacher in the UK, native English speaker, BA, MA holder and years of teaching experience I am suitable for various teacher roles. Business & Economics specialist, although I have also taught English first language in England to 11-18 year old pupils.
Attending an interview for an English teacher job in the Middle East with one of the best employers is an achievement for many people. They have looked at your resume/cover letter and matched skills, personal characteristics, traits and your command of the English language.
Difference between a language teacher of English and a high school teacher:
...