Putting together a syllabus

Hi guys,

Here is the summary of the four concepts kept in mind when designing a syllabus. Remember we can use the same concepts to evaluate the material you use with your students. Keep the hard work!

LEARNABILITY

This concept explains that some structural or lexical items are easier for students to learn than others.

Based on this concept we teach easier things first and then increase the level of difficulty as students’ language level rises.

This concept might tell us that, at beginner levels, it is better to teach uses of was and were immediately after teaching uses of is and are, rather than follow is and are with the third conditional.

FREQUENCY

This concept tells us that it would make sense, especially at beginning levels, to include items which are more common in the language, than ones that are only used occasionally by native speakers.

Thanks to this concept we are in a position to say with some authority, for example, that SEE is used more often than UNDERSTAND, than it is to denote vision (e.g. Oh, I see). It might make sense, therefore, to teach that meaning of SEE first.

COVERAGE

 This concept explains that some words and structures have greater scope for use than others.

We might decide, on the basis of this concept, to introduce GOING TO future before the present continuous with the future reference, if we could show that GOING TO could be used in more situations than the present continuous.

  

USEFULNESS

 This concept explains the reason that words like BOOK and PEN figure so highly in classrooms (even though they might not be that frequent in real language use) is because they are words normally used in that situation.

This concept helps understand that words for family members occur early on in a student’s learning life because of the context of what students are linguistically able to talk about.

Forum 4: Books are not perfect. Let's look for solutions!

Hi everybody,

Here is our last forum. In class we will discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of using a book. Based on the disadvantages we could predict some of the problems we might encounter when using a book. Look at the following chart presenting some common difficulties students and teachers might face when using books. Choose a problem and post a solution to overcome that difficulty.

Thanks for sharing!

Weakness	Teacher/Student Difficulty	Ways of Overcoming Problem
The textbook is designed as a the sole source of information.	Students only see one perspective on a concept or issue.
Textbook is old or outdated.	Information shared with students is not current or relevant.
Textbook questions tend to be low level or fact-based.	Students assume that learning is simply a collection of facts and figures.
Textbook doesn't take students' background knowledge into account.	Teacher does not tailor lessons to the specific attributes and interests of students.
Reading level of the textbook is too difficult.	Students cannot read or understand important concepts.
The textbook has all the answer to all the questions.	Students tend to see learning as an accumulation of correct answers.

Technology and ELT

Here is the link to the presentation on Educational technology. Once again I want to thank Patrick for providing the picture of his old primary school classroom.

Educational Technology

P.S. You don't have to learn the acronyms in the presentation but I would be really impressed if you do.

Cooking a lesson plan!

Hi everybody,

Once again I want to congratulate you for the great job you did tonight in class. Hope you keep up the good energy. Here are the pictures of the delicious recipes you put together with the elements of lesson plan we discussed in class. Bon appétit!

Approaches to lesson planning

Hi guys,
Here are the links to the description of the three approaches you worked with in class tonight. Anytime you want you are free to peruse them.

Have a good one

PDP

PPP

TTT

Plus the pictures of the two approaches that were explained visually. Pretty well done!

Team 2: Angie, Tanya and Mauricio

Welcome team 2,
Your mission should you choose to accept it is to go through the following 4 steps individually (20 minutes), then your partner discuss the use of the different tools in EFL teaching (10 minutes) and finally present your ideas to the rest of the groups (10 minutes). As always, should you or any of your team be lost surfing the internet or caught visiting other webpages, the teacher will disavow any knowledge of your actions. Good luck!!

Step 1
Go to the following link and listen for a while:http://splendidspeaking.podomatic.com/player/web/2006-10-26T05_07_12-07_00
This is an example of podcasting. How do you think a teacher can use this tool with his/her students?

Step 2
Check the following online dictionary: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/
Take a look at the different dictionaries they have in there. How could a teacher maximize the use of a tool like this with his/her students?

Step 3
Check the following sites: 
http://online-voice-recorder.com/es/

https://voicethread.com/

What kind of activities could teachers ask students to do here?

Step 4
Check the following two sites:
https://storybird.com/

https://prezi.com/

How appealing do you think students will find them?

Team 3: Erika, Mar and Jenniffer

Welcome team 3,
Your mission should you choose to accept it is to go through the following 4 steps individually (20 minutes), then with your partner discuss the use of the different tools in EFL teaching (10 minutes) and finally present your ideas to the rest of the groups (10 minutes). As always, should you or any of your team be lost surfing the internet or caught visiting other webpages, the teacher will disavow any knowledge of your actions. Good luck!!

Step 1
Go to google and find a page that can tell you a little more about what a wiki is. Think of some ways of using this with your students

Step 2
Check the following site: http://www.newspaperme.com/
How would you integrate a site like this to your classes?

Step 3
Check the following link: http://vocaroo.com/
Is a site like this of any help for a student? How could you help your students to use it?

Step 4
Find the name of two online encyclopedias. Take a tour of the site and make a list of advantages and disadvantages of using a site like these with your students.

Team 4: Mariana, Alejandra and Patrick

Welcome Team 4,
Your mission should you choose to accept it is to go through the following 4 steps individually (20 minutes), then with your partner discuss the use of the different tools in EFL teaching (10 minutes) and finally present your ideas to the rest of the groups (10 minutes). As always, should you or any of your team be lost surfing the internet or caught visiting other webpages, the teacher will disavow any knowledge of your actions. Good luck!!

Step 1
Visit the following site: http://es.englishcentral.com/videos#!/index/all/all/trending/0

What kind of skills could students practice here?

Step 2
Check the following site: Piktochart
Is there anything a teacher could do with his/her students in class using this site?

Step 3
Visit the following site: Powtoon
What kind of skills could students practice here?

Step 4
Find out what a wordle is: wordle. What could teachers do with this tool?

Web-based activities and Critical Thinking

Hi everybody,

Thinking about time constraints I put together a presentation for you with the elements you need to keep in mind for the final assignment of the module. Get yourself comfy, something to eat and click on the link below so you can understand how the activity works.

Presentation

Good luck!

Team 1: Diego, Carlos, Juan David and Cristina

Welcome team 1,

Your mission should you choose to accept it is to go through the following 4 steps individually (20 minutes), then with your partner discuss the use of the different tools in EFL teaching (10 minutes) and finally present your ideas to the rest of the groups (10 minutes). As always, should you or any of your team be lost surfing the internet or caught visiting other webpages, the teacher will disavow any knowledge of your actions. Good luck!!

Step 1:
Watch the video on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2I1pWXjXI
Think of what language skills a teacher could promote using blogs.

Step 2:
Check the following link. What skills could students practice with it? http://edu.glogster.com/

Step 3:
Go to: http://translation.babylon.com/
How could an English teacher use a site like this one?

Step 4:
Check the following two links. How could students benefit from using these two websites?
http://www.ted.com/talks/browse

http://esl-bits.net/

Forum 3: Educational Technology: Two sides of a coin!

Hi everybody,

One of the other topics we will be discussing tomorrow is the use of technology in ELT. Here are the link to two videos I'd like you to watch. Once you have watch them post your comments to the following question: Is the use of Educational technology taking us away from the real nature of teaching?
Keep the great work!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA1Aqp0sPQo

http://www.ted.com/talks/ramsey_musallam_3_rules_to_spark_learning#t-381128

Forum 2: The secret of effective lessons

Hi everybody,

Welcome to Forum 2. I want to thank you for your participation in Forum 1 and I hope you keep the good pace. This time, I'd like you to read a short article that describes the characteristics of an effective lesson. Once you have done that, post a comment describing which of the characteristics you personally consider most important and the reasons behind your choice.

Don't forget to comment on a partner's opinion. Deadline for forum 2 is Sunday, March 13 at midnight.

Have a lovely weekend!!

Effective lessons

Lesson plan samples

Hi guys,

Hope you are all excited about planning your lessons for Beth. As I promised here are two sample lesson plans using different approaches we will discuss in detail next week. I also added one of my own lesson plans which is not perfect but it will help you get more ideas for all of the planning you are to do during the course. Keep working hard!

PPP lesson plan: http://www.slideshare.net/willys007/ppp-sample-lesson

PDP lesson plan: http://www.slideshare.net/willys007/pdp-sample-lesson

Extra lesson plan: http://www.slideshare.net/willys007/sample-lesson-plan-willy-45520268

Forum 1: Lesson planning pros and cons

In class we discussed the different paradoxes of planning. Here is a short list of pros and cons of lesson planning. Do you think it is necessary to have a written lesson plan for every single class we teach? Post a comment explaining your answer and do not forget to comment on somebody else's opinion.

Some advantages and disadvantages of lesson planning - HIMANSHU MALLICK

Advantages of Lesson Planning

1. It inspires the teacher to improve the further lessons.

2. It helps the teacher in evaluating his teaching.

3. It develops self confidence in the teacher.

4. Proper care is taken on take into consideration, the level and previous knowledge of students.

5. The teaching matter is organized in a time-frame.

6. It inspires the teacher to ask proper and important questions.

7. It provides guidance to the teacher as to what and home he should teach.

8. It helps in creating the interest of students towards the lesson.

9. It stimulates the teacher to think in an organized manner.

10. It helps the teacher to understand to objectives properly.

Limitations of Lesson-Planning

1. In new or odd situations teacher feels himself helpless.

2. Sometimes simple matters become complicated.

3. More time is required to plan a lesson.

4. Teacher cannot work/teach independently.

5. There is lack of flexibility in lesson-planning.

6. The teaching process becomes more difficult.

Our goals!

TEFL - MODULE 3 - WILLY S.

CURRICULUM AND MATERIAL DESIGN

CHAPTER 11 – TECHNOLOGY FOR LEARNING (Pages 192-209)

CHAPTER 12 – PLANNING (Pages 210 – 227)

VIRTUAL SUPPORT COURSE   www.2016teflmodule3.blogspot.com

DAY 1: March 10, 2016 (7:00 – 9:00)

Goals:

Understand goals and work plan.

Talk about the importance of planning a lesson by discussing some general beliefs and the things teachers have to keep in mind when planning.

Learn how to work with the virtual course by checking the blog.

DAY 2: March 15, 2016 (5:00 – 9:00)

Goals:

Learn about the main elements of a lesson plan by prioritizing from a list.

Discuss three different planning approaches by presenting a graph.

Understand how educational technology has impacted ELT by learning about its development.

Research on different ways of using technology to enrich EFL classes by having a virtual quest.

DAY 3: March 16, 2016 (5:00 – 9:00)

Goals:

Practice how to write instructional objectives by following a model.

Talk about textbooks by discussing their pros and cons.

Discuss tips to use a textbook by reflecting on a graph

DAY 4: March 17, 2016 (5:00 – 9:00)

Goals:

Talk about the different uses of objects, pictures and things in the EFL class by making presentations.

Share some hints on how to use some presentation aids by preparing an activity.

Review the contents of the module by experiencing some communicative activities.

Present web based activities and their lesson plans.

Assignment 1: Participation in the support course (A minimum of 2 entries per activity)

Assignment 2: Lesson plan for the web-based activity and presentation.