Articles by April, 2014

To be able to speak English or any other foreign language has become a prerequisite for vast numbers of people throughout the world, and many ways exist for improving your second language without it costing an arm and a leg.
Firstly, it is important to fall in love with the end result rather than concentrate on the difficulties you are going to face trying to get there. Let me give you two examples.
When I was a young lad, and even so today, though time constraints these days have their impact, I used to enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles. When choosing a jigsaw, I never considered how long it would take me to complete, how difficult it was going to be to assemble all the pieces in the correct positions, the possibility of it being in the way for some time, the constant risk that someone passing by could knock it off the table, sending the pieces crashing to the floor, or that there may be a piece or two missing. I fell in love with the finished product, the picture on the lid of the box, and ...

You've been in school for a few months now, and the work is beginning to pile up. Between lesson plans, grading, report cards, parent-teacher conferences, and your personal life, it's easy to lose yourself in the never-ending "to do" list. But it doesn't have to be that way. There are some easy actions you can take to ease your stress and busy schedule:
1. Prioritize:
To do this well, you'll need to be honest and realistic with yourself. Look at your commitments and daily schedule. Decide which activities, committees, and tasks are non-negotiable, and then take a hard look at everything else. Ask yourself questions such as: do you really have to grade every homework assignment? Or can you spot check occasionally and still have a pulse on where your students are? At home, can you cut out a TV show or two to give yourself extra free time (or simply to have time to sleep?). Decide what's important to you and be sure that these activities are part of your "non-negotiable" list. Even ...

All teachers have discipline issues at times. Kids are kids and they simply are more interested in each other than they are in your class. Think of discipline issues as challenges and tackle them immediately before they become chronic problems. How? Ask yourself these questions over a cup of coffee and a piece of cheesecake.
Question 1: "Which of my non-negotiables is being broken in this situation?" Your non-negotiables are the behaviors that must be present in students before you can do your job. Often teachers don't really take time to think about what these are and to share them with students. But even if you haven't overtly thought about them you definitely know when they aren't in place.
For example: It drives you up the wall when students continue to talk while you are trying to instruct. Your non-negotiable is: Students must be quiet and listening when I speak.
Question 2: "What is my first course of action to improve this situation?" Brainstorm. Write down as many ...

Scaffolding Instruction
The term "scaffolding" is often heard in educational circles as a method of instruction in which the teacher models the learning strategy or task and then gradually shifts the responsibility to the students. The teacher first determines the students' zone of proximal development and then incrementally improves the learner's ability to become independent with the task at hand.
We usually think about scaffolds with regard to construction where a very organized structure is put up beside a building under construction in order to support workers as they perform their required tasks. In education we are using scaffolding to support students to construct meaning or the ability to independently complete an objective.
Within the field of education, the scaffold provides clear structure and precisely stated expectations, along with models and direct instruction. For example, it begins with "I do--you watch" which in reading might seem like a teacher reading aloud ...

The grammar is the nuts and bolts of a language. It is the foundational stone to get the grip of a language and master it.
So, a sound knowledge and clarity in comprehending English grammar is mandatory for every English language teacher. Just like the nuts and bolts need to be used for the smooth functioning of an engine, similarly sound knowledge of English grammar is a must.
An English teacher could inspire confidence in a classroom scenario when she has comprehended the English grammar. She will be able to re-structure and apply it under different tenses without altering the meaning of the sentences or use the sentences differently to highlight the different meaning implied.
It is only through the understanding of grammar one comes to know the use of 'will' and 'shall' and tenses and its usage which are the fine points of grammar that in turn reflect the language proficiency of a teacher.
When the teacher is thorough in her grammatical skills, she could ensure the students grasp ...