Teaching English As a Second Language to Adults

If you will be working with adult learners of English, start by assessing their needs. Many English as a Second Language students know what they want to learn. At the beginning their needs will most likely be "survival" phrases (i.e. Where is the bathroom? How much does it cost? Traffic sign reading.). Then they will need basic functional English for filling out job applications, getting medical care, and signing their child up for school.

Ask your students to identify what they want to learn by using any of the following methods or a combination of them.

1. Have the students look through their textbook or picture dictionary and place Post It Notes on five pages with the information they think is most important. 

2. Have students check off things they want to learn on a pictorial list depicting different activities (grocery shopping, reading a note from school, filling out a driver's license application, job applications, etc). 

3. Show students a pictorial strip illustrating three reasons why Antonio wants to learn English; then brainstorm with the class and substitute their reasons for learning English.

This gives the students a voice in their instruction and makes the content relevant to their lives. It also gives you a chance to evaluate what skills your students have already and what they need to strengthen.

Once you know what your students hope to achieve, use the principles of adult learning. Adults are problem solvers, self-directed, and disciplined. They already know how to think and they know how to learn new things. They will want to know why something needs to be learned and that it is applicable to their life.

Language tasks involve integrating the four language skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Plan your classroom time such that all four skills are used in every class session. Learners find this engaging approach reinforces each skill. Include field trips to give your students a chance to practice with you close at hand for assistance. Visit a museum, grocery store, post office, restaurant, or library.

There are a number of classroom activities which provide useful practice prior to class outings. Try an assortment of these activities to stimulate interest and discussions.

Dialogues associated with key activities. Start with simple scripted three-line dialogues.

Example:

I would like a hamburger, please. 

With pickles? 

Yes, thank you.

Next, have students substitute vocabulary in the dialogue, on cloze worksheets, during role play, or dictations. For more information on cloze worksheets and how to use them, see my article titled "Cloze Worksheets - What They Are and How to Make Them".

Build Vocabulary. Practice vocabulary with flash cards, concentration games, labeling, vocabulary journals, picture dictionaries, and bingo activities. Homework exercises can include other word games. Word searches build word recognition and standard letter pattern recognition. Crossword puzzles match definitions to words.

Class Surveys. Class surveys involve students questioning their fellow students and recording the information on a form. Questions can be of this type, "What is your last name?", "Where do you live?", "What month were you born?" Or students can be directed to find someone who likes ice cream or who comes from South Korea. In this case, students must ask class members questions in the form "Do you like ice cream?" or "Do you come from South Korea?" Answers can be collected and presented on a graph or list as appropriate. Lists can be alphabetized.

Virtual Learning Environments In Primary Schools

Although the idea of having Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) has been steadily growing in popularity over the last few years, the actual use of VLEs in many educational institutions, especially primary schools, has not really taken off. Ofsted blames a black of enthusiasm and peer support from teachers and learners for the lack of development on VLE initiatives, but there may be a wider issue to contend with, especially when it comes to how few primary schools have adopted VLEs as part of their everyday management.

VLEs are designed to allow learners and staff to access a wide variety of learning materials through specially designed computer systems. Resources commonly found on VLEs, especially in university and college environments, include notes and handouts, practice tests or exams, PowerPoint presentations, video clips and links to useful websites.

Ofsted's report on VLEs found that they were still a relatively new concept which represented only a very small (and in many cases non-existent) aspect of learning. Colleges and universities were found to be making the most use of VLEs, while primary schools were lagging furthest behind.

The main problem in primary schools is the lack of a so-called "technology champion" - normally a key staff member who gets to grips with the idea, sees the benefits and works to help colleagues do the same in order to get whatever it is adopted in the school.

Most VLEs are designed for use by secondary or higher education institutes, with large amounts of storage, complex timetabling systems and a relatively streamlined appearance. This makes "off the shelf" VLE solutions eminently unsuitable for primary schools. Aside from the fact that most VLEs are priced out of the range of the average primary school due to the extensive features and storage (essential for secondary and higher education, but unwanted price padding for primary), their interfaces and functionality are fundamentally unusable by 4-11-year-olds. What use is a VLE which the pupils cannot access?

A primary school teacher does not want to add VLE updates to his or her already extensive workload. Who wants to enter a big list of marks twice? The mark of a proper primary school VLE is that it should simplify the job of the teacher while being easily accessible to pupils and parents. Big buttons, colourful graphics and easy-to-understand instructions are needed for younger students. Simple and easy administration which reduces workload rather than increasing it is needed for teachers and school admin staff.

Consider a primary school teacher, Miss Thompson, with a class of thirty pupils. Each time she wants to set homework for them, even a simple task like practicing spelling, Miss Thompson has to photocopy thirty task sheets, pin them into thirty homework books, and then later trudge through twenty-nine or twenty-eight returns books to see who has failed to return their work.

Most VLEs will then also require poor Miss Thompson to log in and do electronically the same thing she just did by hand in order to keep the admin system up to date. Her workload has been increased, if not doubled, by the new technology, so she is quite justified in not being a big fan of it! What's worse is that none of her pupils or their parents bother looking at the VLE because it is far too complicated and looks like it was designed for a university, what with all the greyed-out buttons marked "timetable" and "practice exams."

Now let's compare Miss Thompson's experience with a different VLE, which is not an adapted or trimmed down version of something originally made for secondary education or universities and colleges. This is a primary school VLE, designed and built carefully from the ground up to meet the needs of primary school pupils, teachers and parents.

Can You Teach Your Toddler to Read? Should You?

At four years old I was primed and ready for the world of academia. I loved books - an inheritance from my wonderfully bookish Mom. I knew enough of the letters to write my OWN name on the Library Card Application! And, well, I had new shoes. What more does a lil lady need? Kindergarten was going to be my oyster.

But no! Day ONE! There he was... "Kebin" could read! He was trotted up to the front of the room, every two seconds it seemed, to read the 'small print' for the class. Boy, oh BOY, that burned me up! It still does all these years later.

The fact of the matter is that old 'Kebin' had older brothers, and during the previous year, while the younger brother had been laid up for quite some weeks, parents and older brothers had read to him. Kev was a bright toddler with few distractions, so he paid attention. Once the family realized he was getting it, they worked in earnest. By the time September arrived, Kev was reading fluently at a 2nd or 3rd grade level.

Kev was never bored. It seemed to me that every day there was something he read. He 'always' got to hold the pointer as the class worked its way through Spot and Puff. We went to Catholic School, so there were prayers and stories of the saints to read, and Kev 'always' got to do it. He was the one appointed to the "Task of Honor" - opening the classroom door and politely greeting visitors. Every time he said, "Good Afternoon and Welcome," I'd cringe.

I was so jealous my fingernails must have turned green! I indignantly demanded to know why I hadn't gotten sick so they would have been forced to teach ME to read. Mom fed my angry insistence on learning right NOW. She got out the books, the pencils and the paper and set about to teach me. By Halloween I'd caught up - and could handle those letters and words as well as Kev.

To tell the truth, in the thirteen years Kevin and I went to school together I never DID get a clear lead on him academically. None of us did. Heaven KNOWS we tried! He was a good, conscientious student [who got the lead in the play EVERY year, the bum!], and now he is a busy lawyer, a good Dad and still a great friend.

Jobs Teaching English Overseas

obs teaching English overseas are plentiful for college graduates with a TESOL certificate. TESOL is an abbreviation of Teaching English to Speaker of Other Languages.

The highest paying jobs are university jobs and go to the people with some teaching experience and a teaching degree. However, there are plenty of jobs for those with a bachelor's degree and a TESOL certificate. There are even some jobs where only a TESOL certificate will suffice.The best jobs are given to teachers with experience and a teaching certification, however there are many good jobs which do not require teaching certification if a TESOL certificate is obtained. The preferred age is between 20 and 30 although 50 years is not too old. Many countries expect you to retire in your 60's so it is harder to get a job at this age. Some countries prefer women to teach young children, but again gender is not always a factor. A country which pays well and has a great demand for teachers is China.

There are government schools, private schools, language schools and corporate training classes in most countries with jobs teaching English overseas. The government schools do not pay as well as the private schools, but the jobs are easier to get. Asia is known for paying higher salaries, but sometimes the cost of living is also higher there than other places.

The schools which provide TESOL certification often can help with job search as well as work visas and other requirements for getting in the country. It is important to research the requirements for a work visa; most countries require a bachelor's degree, although in countries where there is a great demand, this may not be a requirement. There are a few places which do not require a bachelor's degree for jobs teaching English overseas, however, most of the desirable employers will.

A Guide On Teaching English Abroad

All over the globe, there is a great demand for people who can teach English as a second language. Many individuals have experienced the benefits of teaching English in an overseas country. The advantages of helping other people gain knowledge of the English language at the same time as immersing yourself in another country's life| will make any uneasiness you may feel concerning packing up and flying to a different country quickly fade away.

One of the greatest aspects to living as well as teaching English abroad is the level of experiences and observations you will benefit from as you learn from another vibrant culture. Spending time with the local people along with learning about their history, culture, in addition to the traditions, is the most effective way to experience a culture and its people. The knowledge you will acquire is enormous. You will be taking part in every day local events which will involve interacting with locals and you will shop, tour the country, and see all of the sights. As well, you will gain knowledge about how people live, work, and play. You will also be exposed local and national celebrations, holidays, art and culture, artisans, festivals, and more. You will also be able to taste the local cuisine. Teaching English overseas is a terrific way to have fun and learn about another culture.

Another great benefit of teaching overseas is earning an income while living in a foreign land. English teachers will often teach in the mornings or afternoons and the other part of the day is theirs to do what they want. There is time take in all of the local activities and attractions. Traveling and teaching in another country will allow you to meet people from all over the world. The teachers you meet will become great friends that you keep in contact with for a long time. Experiencing new countries and their people will result in great personal growth. You will appreciate other cultures and their traditions and you become a more rounded individual with more confidence and skills. You will overcome any challenges and learn new skills which will look great on a resume. English language teachers feel proud as they observe their students learning the English language. It is a personally rewarding experience to assist others in learning the English language.

It is not a difficult task to become an English language teacher in a foreign country. Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate (TESL) is required but you do not always need a university degree although it will help you get a better teaching job. TEFL/TESL certification courses and programs are available. Teaching English abroad is a fantastic way to make money while living in a foreign country. Paid teaching positions allow you to earn an income while seeing the world. Teaching the English language in a foreign country is a rewarding career that is definitely worth exploring. When you teach English abroad you will make a lifetime of great memories.

Achieve Gratification With Educational Toys

Are you gratified with the way your child is learning things and gaining education? Well the parents' gratification is really important. Parents are the one who work for whole day long and even in nights to give their children the best education. But you know what there are many other ways including the books as well that help your child in seeking education. That includes the toys. Education toys are such toys that help children in understanding the educational concepts in a much better way.

It is all about providing your children with the best procedures and proper planning should be made. The children should develop more interest in education rather considering it as a burden. And this aim can be achieved if studies are accompanied with the Education toys. Substantial results can be gained and by the help of toys children's interest level will surely increase. As they wish to play, they will also wish to clear their concepts and in knowing what they actually do not know. Knowledge is power and we all know that. Education toys help in getting such power in a short span of time. Education toys act as a convenient way. When the children will play with the toys this way they will be able to study as well. So, Education toys as an important tool have made it feasible for combining studies with playing. So, playing and studies can be done together simultaneously if the access is given to the toys. Incessant progress in studies is achieved when the Education toys are used for enhancing the incentive. The efficacy lies with the toys. Without playing the life becomes insipid.

This time, when you buy Education toys for your kids then you will not have to stop your children from playing and they will be studying. Children do not have to sit for long studying the books. This can really make them bore and ultimately they will not be able to concentrate more on studies. Toys can help developing the concepts and parents can attain the state of gratification. Education toys actually form an amazing nexus between the books and the kids and this nexus is really useful and in fact helpful. Playing with these toys can never leave one in pandemonium. The parents can get relaxation. Some of such toys are dainty.

The Ways After School Programs Can Benefit Moms And Dads And Children

There are countless reasons for registering one's boy or girl in after school programs, and one of those reasons is to keep their boy or girl active while they, the mom or dads, are working. Today, father or mothers seem to be working harder and a lot longer than they ever did, and not just one mother or father, but both. On the plus side, after school programs are accessible to help keep their youngsters busy while the dad or moms are not at home. Also, dad or moms can not coordinate their routine with the timetables of their youngsters. Whatever reason preventing the parents from being with their youngsters, after school programs are accessible to fill in the gap left open between mom or dad and child schedules.

At times in a boy or girl's life, there is a big opportunity for boys or girls to get into trouble when they're not kept busy or monitored; after school programs help minimize this trouble before it commences through a variety of monitored programs.

A very critical reason to think about after school programs for your youngsters is that is has a dramatic effect on a their self-worth. Being part of a team or group making an effort toward a common goal has an exceptional positive effect on anyone including youngsters. A boy or girl can feel wanted, and important partaking in an after school activity that involves working together and thus generate self-assurance and a sense of worth.

Sports teams have been the most popular type for quite some time now. With this type of program, a youngster is part of a group that competes in games against other groups in the area such as baseball, hockey, and soccer, as an example. Here again, we can see how these activities help youngsters learn cooperation with other youngsters.

Clubs are another type of program where boys or girls can become involved in after their last class has ended for the day. After school programs that are club oriented are: debating clubs, chess clubs, photography clubs and more. Many boys or girls shy away from sports, and this after school club program might be the best alternative for the child. These types of after school programs are more individual oriented and emphasize the child's intellect.