Using Music and Movies in the ESL classroom

Instructor: Mike Simpson

Coaching in the ESL classroom

Instructor:  Certified Coach and TESL teacher, Andrea Griggs of Catalyst Communications.

Learn how the principles and objectives of Coaching can enhance your teaching in the classroom.  
                                           
Coaching is a creative and thought-provoking process designed to help individuals reach their goalsand maximize their potential. In this workshop, we'll look specifically at ways to help your students become more motivated,set better goals and assess their progress. While regular English Language training teaches effective communication skills, transferring the knowledge from the classroom to real life situations can remain a challenge. This workshop looks at ways to help ESL students overcome those blocks that might impede progress (eg. lack of confidence, resentment, and lack of knowledge about how to learn) and integrate these learned skills into their daily lives. We look at ways to help students personalize their learning and their goals.
     
Ideal for a classroom environment as well as one-on-one situations, participants will have a chance to coach each other, and try some activities for se in the classroom. Be prepared to participate. 
                                                                   

How To Teach TOEFL (IBT)

                                        
This workshop offers practical approaches to teaching the IBT-TOEFL. The first hour will provide an overview of the test and of available teaching materials. During the next four hours, participants will gain a hands-on understanding of the four parts of the test. At the start of each hour, they will do an abbreviated version of the reading, listening, speaking or writing part; then, they will engage in a detailed discussion of the problems that students typically face when doing this part of the test; finally, they will be given specific suggestions on how to build students' skills. Participants will receive numerous handouts illustrating how to guide studetns through each part of the test.

                
Teaching Business English

                                       
This workshop introduces participants to teaching Business English using authentic materials such as newspapers, TV shows, radio programs, business letters and stock market information. Activities can be adapted to different language proficiency levels and different teaching contexts, e.g. one-on-one, pair work, small group and whole class.

Reading, writing, listening, speaking and pronunciation skills are integrated. Cultural differences in the business world are discussed                      

                   
Teaching Children in the Language Classroom             

                    
Teachers in a variety of language programs, encounter several challenges in the creation of lessons and establishment of a supportive classroom environment unique to the elementary level. Teachers must also continually adapt instruction to provide challenging and engaging content as children progress along the continuum toward English proficiency. In this workshop, participants will examine basic theory of how children learn languages compared with the adult learner. The instructor will provide models of how to design and adapt adult oriented lessons to meet the needs of the child learner. Participants will also have the opportunity to apply learned concepts and ideas in the creation of their own activities.

                  
Using Games in the Language Classroom

                 
This workshop is about creating and playing games that give your students the English practice they need while having fun! First, we will discuss how and why to use games during any stage of your lesson. Then, you will get hands-on experience playing games that practice grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and communication skills. You will also get the chance to adapt a well-known game into your own ESL game. You will go home with plenty of new ideas for your class and the tools to create the games that meet the needs of your students!                       

                
Teaching Vocabulary

                  
This workshop has been prepared to provide participants with various multi-leveled, student-centred, ready to use, engaging and meaningful activities to introduce new and review already taught vocabulary.

Participants will be provided with the same handouts that ESL students receive during their classes. Instructions for each activity will be given and participants will be asked to partake in them. After each activity, time will be allotted to discuss and further clarify any concerns or questions.Furthermore, participants will be shown how to teach and review vocabulary through music, TV shows, listening, pictures and games
                                                                         

Error Correction

                   
Correcting student errors can be a complicated thing. When and how a teacher corrects can affect the effectiveness of the lesson and the effectiveness of the correction itself as well as the flow and dynamic of the class. This workshop will look at various ways to correct errors in both spoken and written work in a way that can help everyone "learn from their mistakes”.

                                                                                           
Teaching Overseas

                   
This workshop demonstrates how the principles of teaching ESL can be adapted to the realities of an EFL teaching position overseas. Topics include: characteristics of ESL and EFL, lesson planning, classroom management, types of classes, cultural adaptation. Be prepared to lesson plan and use your imagination.

                 
Teaching Vocabulary                    

                    
This workshop looks at both the theoretical aspects of vocabulary (what is it? what needs to be taught?) and how to present, practice and review new vocabulary with your students.

                                                                              
Elicitation Techniques

                   
This workshop will examine techniques which go beyond "question/answer” to evoke meaningful responses from students and create genuine interaction in the classroom.

Participants will walk away with practical ideas and strategies that work at all levels.

               
Communicating Effectively as an ESL Teacher

          
This workshop will focus on helping participants become aware of their own speech patterns and adapting them to make themselves clearer to ESL students. It will also focus on

giving clear and simple instructions, a difficult task for beginning ESL teachers

                   
Improving Students' Listening Abilities

                    
The objective of this workshop is to assist participants in linking the current theory of listening comprehension with effective classroom procedures for listening activities and the use of authentic listening materials. The presenter will identify some of the areas of difficulty in teaching listening comprehension, and provide suggestions for addressing these difficulties in adult ESL/EFL classes. The presented activities, based on commercially produced materials and authentic texts, and extensive handouts will assist the participants in empowering their learners with strategies for real-world listening.                                                                    
 

                                      
Lesson Planning

For those who feel they need more guidance on how to put a lesson together.

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Modules