In one of my ESL classes, we talked about classrooms around the world. What was yours like? Were there many students in a class? 20? 30? Did your teacher teach from the blackboard? Did students sit at individual desks or long tables? What was the classroom atmosphere like?
Please share your country and the timeframe with me.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Pitchmen and Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader
The late Billy Mays and the current Steve Jobs were/are two great pitchmen. Yes, Steve Jobs is a pitchman, one of the best, ever. Jimmey Mays, OxyClean. Steve Jobs, "a thousand songs in your pocket." You can learn a lot from both if you are a teacher, need to make presentations, or just want to be a better communicator.
Bill Mays used great catch phrases - for Mighty Putty - fix, fill, seal and repair. What parts of speech are these words? Verbs. Verbs are action words and these words place actions or needs in the minds of its listeners. In addition to the basic verb exercises, for example, simple present tense - I eat breakfast, she eats breakfast, etc., have your student use verbs in creative ways. Play the Mighty Putty commercial for your students, analyze it, and then see how creative your students are.
Mighty Mendit - Before you throw it away let Mighty Mendit save the day! That is a nice sentence! Ask your students if that type of advertising is popular in their countries. If not, discuss the differences. Marketing is different in different cultures. Latin America, Korea, China, etc. like marketing that focuses on community not the individual. How would the product help family or neighbors as opposed to just you? How could a Billy Mays commercial be adapted to focus on the community aspects of a product. This could be a great assignment for advanced ESL classes.
Billy May's style is a great tool to use when teaching students the difference of language as used for writing/reading and speech. What is the difference between writing a play and a novel, from a language point of view? When you write a play, you use words that will be heard. When you write a novel, your words are read. It is like music. Words that are meant to be listened to or heard, rely on rhythm, intonation, alliteration, etc. Fix, fill, seal and repair are rhythm, drumbeats. Boom, boom, boom ... boom! Before you throw it away let Mighty Mendit save the day. That is melody, a riff, a hook! Words that are read describe and create worlds in the minds of readers.
For once class each semester, I go to the local "dollar store" and buy some items. I pass them out in class and have the students write commercials for the product. It is fun ... and the students get to keep the products.
Steve Jobs is the master of presentation. He may sound spontaneous but a lot of work and practice, practice, practice is the heart of each of his presentations.
What can you learn from Steve? Craft your classes, your presentations, your performance. Know what you are going to do, how you are going to do it, and what you are going to do if what you planned to do doesn't work. Know all these things before you enter the classroom or conference room. What do you do if your computer crashes in the middle of your presentation? What will you say? How will you react?
What if your first slide gets your students talking which is good, but the conversation flows in a direction that is different from what you planned? What if your class just doesn't get it?
Steve Jobs has all these "what ifs and more" all worked out. He is so good at it that the audience has no idea if he has shifted the flow of his presentation. So ... before you throw it away let you preparation save the day.
Are you smarter than a fifth grader? Jeff Foxworthy is an excellent entertainer. The show's contestants are interesting; certainly the producers don't pick boring people to appear on the show, but Jeff's presentation keeps the show flowing.
I use, OK steal, some of Jeff's techniques. Teaching at language schools is a business. Students pay for classes and if they find the teacher boring they will not sign up for another semester. As teachers, we sell language instruction. If students don't like your classes, the school will find another teacher. Simply, studetns are the money that keeps the school in business.
What techniques do I copy? If a student is not sure of an answer, I tell them they can ask another student for help. It gets a laugh and relaxes the student. Ironically, they usually ask their friend for help, not the smartest student in class who has the correct answer. When I catch a student copying from another student I ask the student if the person they are copying from is the smartest student. Usually they say no and I offer them the chance to sit next to the smartest student in class. They refuse, are a bit embarrassed in a fun way, and stop copying.
When a student gives me the right answer I'll have fun and start shaking my head say something like "I feel bad you chose that answer because ..." I pause, watch the expression on the student's face and then continue, "you are correct!" Students laugh and they have fun while learning. Sometimes when a student gives me a correct answer, I'll tell them, "I'll give you one dollar right now to change you answer." If they say no, I offer them two dollars. Nobody takes me up on my offer. They laugh and they tell their crazy teacher that they know their answer is right so they won't take one or two dollars to give me the wrong answer.
Learn from the great communicators. Some people do not like Billy Mays. That is fine. He does know how to communicate and sell (and yes, we all sell.) Millions of dollars prove that people listen to what he says.
Do you really need an iPhone? Has an iPhone changed your life so much that you don't know how you lived without one? No! You want an iPhone because they are cool! You don't need it but you want it! Me too! I don't have one or need one, but since my birthday is tomorrow, July 22nd, if somebody wants to buy me one, I will happily accept it. And, "one thousand songs in your pocket" - that is a great pitch.
Are you smarter than a fifth grader? Some may not like the show and some may find the concept offensive. All television shows sell advertising. That is the reason for their existence. If the show doesn't make money, it is taken off the air. That show makes money!
Being a bit of a pitchman or pitchlady is a good trait to have. You need to capture and retain your audience's interest. Take what works and make it part of your routine.
Bill Mays used great catch phrases - for Mighty Putty - fix, fill, seal and repair. What parts of speech are these words? Verbs. Verbs are action words and these words place actions or needs in the minds of its listeners. In addition to the basic verb exercises, for example, simple present tense - I eat breakfast, she eats breakfast, etc., have your student use verbs in creative ways. Play the Mighty Putty commercial for your students, analyze it, and then see how creative your students are.
Mighty Mendit - Before you throw it away let Mighty Mendit save the day! That is a nice sentence! Ask your students if that type of advertising is popular in their countries. If not, discuss the differences. Marketing is different in different cultures. Latin America, Korea, China, etc. like marketing that focuses on community not the individual. How would the product help family or neighbors as opposed to just you? How could a Billy Mays commercial be adapted to focus on the community aspects of a product. This could be a great assignment for advanced ESL classes.
Billy May's style is a great tool to use when teaching students the difference of language as used for writing/reading and speech. What is the difference between writing a play and a novel, from a language point of view? When you write a play, you use words that will be heard. When you write a novel, your words are read. It is like music. Words that are meant to be listened to or heard, rely on rhythm, intonation, alliteration, etc. Fix, fill, seal and repair are rhythm, drumbeats. Boom, boom, boom ... boom! Before you throw it away let Mighty Mendit save the day. That is melody, a riff, a hook! Words that are read describe and create worlds in the minds of readers.
For once class each semester, I go to the local "dollar store" and buy some items. I pass them out in class and have the students write commercials for the product. It is fun ... and the students get to keep the products.
Steve Jobs is the master of presentation. He may sound spontaneous but a lot of work and practice, practice, practice is the heart of each of his presentations.
What can you learn from Steve? Craft your classes, your presentations, your performance. Know what you are going to do, how you are going to do it, and what you are going to do if what you planned to do doesn't work. Know all these things before you enter the classroom or conference room. What do you do if your computer crashes in the middle of your presentation? What will you say? How will you react?
What if your first slide gets your students talking which is good, but the conversation flows in a direction that is different from what you planned? What if your class just doesn't get it?
Steve Jobs has all these "what ifs and more" all worked out. He is so good at it that the audience has no idea if he has shifted the flow of his presentation. So ... before you throw it away let you preparation save the day.
Are you smarter than a fifth grader? Jeff Foxworthy is an excellent entertainer. The show's contestants are interesting; certainly the producers don't pick boring people to appear on the show, but Jeff's presentation keeps the show flowing.
I use, OK steal, some of Jeff's techniques. Teaching at language schools is a business. Students pay for classes and if they find the teacher boring they will not sign up for another semester. As teachers, we sell language instruction. If students don't like your classes, the school will find another teacher. Simply, studetns are the money that keeps the school in business.
What techniques do I copy? If a student is not sure of an answer, I tell them they can ask another student for help. It gets a laugh and relaxes the student. Ironically, they usually ask their friend for help, not the smartest student in class who has the correct answer. When I catch a student copying from another student I ask the student if the person they are copying from is the smartest student. Usually they say no and I offer them the chance to sit next to the smartest student in class. They refuse, are a bit embarrassed in a fun way, and stop copying.
When a student gives me the right answer I'll have fun and start shaking my head say something like "I feel bad you chose that answer because ..." I pause, watch the expression on the student's face and then continue, "you are correct!" Students laugh and they have fun while learning. Sometimes when a student gives me a correct answer, I'll tell them, "I'll give you one dollar right now to change you answer." If they say no, I offer them two dollars. Nobody takes me up on my offer. They laugh and they tell their crazy teacher that they know their answer is right so they won't take one or two dollars to give me the wrong answer.
Learn from the great communicators. Some people do not like Billy Mays. That is fine. He does know how to communicate and sell (and yes, we all sell.) Millions of dollars prove that people listen to what he says.
Do you really need an iPhone? Has an iPhone changed your life so much that you don't know how you lived without one? No! You want an iPhone because they are cool! You don't need it but you want it! Me too! I don't have one or need one, but since my birthday is tomorrow, July 22nd, if somebody wants to buy me one, I will happily accept it. And, "one thousand songs in your pocket" - that is a great pitch.
Are you smarter than a fifth grader? Some may not like the show and some may find the concept offensive. All television shows sell advertising. That is the reason for their existence. If the show doesn't make money, it is taken off the air. That show makes money!
Being a bit of a pitchman or pitchlady is a good trait to have. You need to capture and retain your audience's interest. Take what works and make it part of your routine.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Teaching and Cultural Etiquette
One of the interesting aspects and challenges of teaching ESL is learning the cultural etiquette and customs of your students' countries. These differences are useful to know and are very interesting. They are helpful to me. One common misunderstanding that I had was that some of my students would not look at me directly when I taught. I thought they were bored. I learned though, that in their culture, looking directly at the teacher or an older person was a sign of disrespect.
This will be an ongoing series that I will write from time to time. I've created a page for this information. Click here to read.
This will be an ongoing series that I will write from time to time. I've created a page for this information. Click here to read.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Lingq
I love when readers comment and when they refer me to new language learning sites. Today, a reader referred me to an interesting site called Lingq (www.lingq.com). This site offers both free and paid lessons.
Lingq offers a variety of languages. I chose Italian; I have many Italian friends from as they refer to it, the old country. Also, for each language CD or site I review, I'll choose a new language.
At Lingq, you can create your own course or purchase a course offered by a tutor. I chose to create my own course from the free lessons. A wealth and variety of free courses are available. You choose from the many categories offered. Some of these categories are: Beginner 1, Business and Economics, Food, Literature, and New and Politics. There are many more categories. There are also blogs and podcasts to choose from.
I chose the Beginner 1 category which provides me with ten lessons about eating out (good start :) ). This course also includes eight Greeting and Goodbyes lessons and a 26-chapter story titled "Who Is She?".
Each lesson consists of five steps: Listen and Read, Creating Lingqs - highlighting words that you don't no to create lingqs (links) to create flashcards, Download and Listen, Submit Writing, and Speak (to a tutor via Skype). There is also an online forum.
Lingq looks very promising. I like the philosophy (the five steps). Many sites offer just listening and speaking, but don't offer solid reading, and often ignore writing.
I will share my Italian learning experience on Lingq with you.
Lingq offers a variety of languages. I chose Italian; I have many Italian friends from as they refer to it, the old country. Also, for each language CD or site I review, I'll choose a new language.
At Lingq, you can create your own course or purchase a course offered by a tutor. I chose to create my own course from the free lessons. A wealth and variety of free courses are available. You choose from the many categories offered. Some of these categories are: Beginner 1, Business and Economics, Food, Literature, and New and Politics. There are many more categories. There are also blogs and podcasts to choose from.
I chose the Beginner 1 category which provides me with ten lessons about eating out (good start :) ). This course also includes eight Greeting and Goodbyes lessons and a 26-chapter story titled "Who Is She?".
Each lesson consists of five steps: Listen and Read, Creating Lingqs - highlighting words that you don't no to create lingqs (links) to create flashcards, Download and Listen, Submit Writing, and Speak (to a tutor via Skype). There is also an online forum.
Lingq looks very promising. I like the philosophy (the five steps). Many sites offer just listening and speaking, but don't offer solid reading, and often ignore writing.
I will share my Italian learning experience on Lingq with you.
Learning Japanese - Day 1
The Instant Immersion program uses a game and quiz approach. When you begin, a message tells you that your goal is earn 1,800 point.
The initial screen offers you a variety of choices. They are: first words, food, colors, phrases, body, numbers, time, shopping, and countries. I chose first words. This choice presented me with five options: word practice, speaking practice, easy game, hard game, and print picture dictionary. I wasn't sure where to begin so I clicked on the help button.
I began with the Easy Game. A lady says four words in Japanese. A picture is shown with each word. Next, a man says one of the previously said words in Japanese. You need to select its meaning from a list of the meanings of the four words. I did well; I got all correct for 50 points. After 5 mins., I didn't remember any of the words but that was fine. At this point, it is more important that I become more familiar with listening and adapting to the rhythms of the Japanese language. It is also a good reminder for me when I teach ESL; speak slowly, a new language sounds very strange. I do believe that the program would be more effective if the man and woman were Japanese instead of American (or European).
Next, I began the word practice exercises. They are nice. Both the male and female speakers alternate saying the words. Some Japanese words that I have learned are:
The initial screen offers you a variety of choices. They are: first words, food, colors, phrases, body, numbers, time, shopping, and countries. I chose first words. This choice presented me with five options: word practice, speaking practice, easy game, hard game, and print picture dictionary. I wasn't sure where to begin so I clicked on the help button.
- Word Practice - Listen to new words and record your pronunciation.
- Speaking Practice - Practice the new words you have learned.
- Easy & Hard Games - Games to learn Japanese. It is suggested that you may want to begin your language learning by playing the easy game.
- Print Picture Dictionary - Build your own dictionary with 270 color pictures - make flash cards.
I began with the Easy Game. A lady says four words in Japanese. A picture is shown with each word. Next, a man says one of the previously said words in Japanese. You need to select its meaning from a list of the meanings of the four words. I did well; I got all correct for 50 points. After 5 mins., I didn't remember any of the words but that was fine. At this point, it is more important that I become more familiar with listening and adapting to the rhythms of the Japanese language. It is also a good reminder for me when I teach ESL; speak slowly, a new language sounds very strange. I do believe that the program would be more effective if the man and woman were Japanese instead of American (or European).
Next, I began the word practice exercises. They are nice. Both the male and female speakers alternate saying the words. Some Japanese words that I have learned are:
- hai - yes
- denwa - telephone
- ohato - good morning
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Learning Japanese
How well do language CDs, books, and other methods work for those that want or need to learn a foreign language? I am going to explore a variety of methods and share my results with you.
I am beginning this exploration by learning some Japanese. Why Japanese? I was in a discount store last Sunday and they had a variety of language learning CDs on sale. I know nothing of Japanese and the language is vastly different than the smattering and bits and pieces of languages that I know (Spanish, French, etc.). I purchased the Instant Immersion Japanese Levels 1, 2, & 3 for $29.95. I like Japanese culture and philosophy, so this should be fun.
If anyone is using the Instant Immersion series or other language CDs/DVDs, please share your thoughts. Also, anyone know of a good, inexpensive Japanese grammar book?
I am beginning this exploration by learning some Japanese. Why Japanese? I was in a discount store last Sunday and they had a variety of language learning CDs on sale. I know nothing of Japanese and the language is vastly different than the smattering and bits and pieces of languages that I know (Spanish, French, etc.). I purchased the Instant Immersion Japanese Levels 1, 2, & 3 for $29.95. I like Japanese culture and philosophy, so this should be fun.
If anyone is using the Instant Immersion series or other language CDs/DVDs, please share your thoughts. Also, anyone know of a good, inexpensive Japanese grammar book?
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