podcast Anancy Story Poderato.com/bbdavis

podcast Anancy Story Poderato.com/bbdavis

Don't give up

"The only lifelong, reliable motivations are those that come from within, and one of the strongest of those is the joy and pride that grow from knowing that you've just done something as well as you can do it."
 Lloyd Dobens quotes

Eleven Principles of Coping in large multilevel classes

By Licda. Belinda Davis

Based on Hess, N (2001). Teaching large multilevel classes.



There are many ways to deal with the challenges of  large classes. Some of the principles are: variety, collaboration, individualization, setting up routines among others. Pinciple four I think is very necessary to achieve our goals of teaching a second or foreign language. Also a reality check of our teaching style, method or techniques are required. What can I do to help my students keep motivated and interested in learning? 

Principle four: Interest

As teachers of large classes, whenever students loses interest, the problems began. Generally they cause trouble or just distraction for themselves and the rest.

Here are three fundamental characteristiscs of topics that bring students interest:

* arouse students curiosity 

* tap into meaningful existential questions

* touch students' lives

                                                                                                

These interesting activities can be develop at all leves and in a variety of cultural settings. Some topics that lend themselves for these type of activities are:

*management of time

* family relationships

*food and eating habits

*latest news

*home

* travel                                                                             

To create real student interest requires the creation of game-like activities with clear goals and motivating steps that guide students through involving tasks and activities into thoughtful and insightful use of the language. We need to use attractive visuals, meaningful activities, personalizations and role plays all to add to the making of student interest.

Creating interest will be beneficial for both sides: help with group control, have more students involve and participating actively in their own learning process. Whenever creating or searching for activities keep in mind the new trends, fables, songs, games and fashion aspects that could be helpful in developing and keeping your students interest; the results will sure be amazing.   

       

                                                   

Motivation

"Strength, confidence and courage are gained by each experience. We must take the step of trying new things of which we think we cannot do."
www.motivationalphrases.com


"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving."

Albert Einstein

Romans 12:16

"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position"
 

Authentic Materials and Cultural Content in EFL Classrooms

By Licda. Belinda Davis  

Do you use real newspaper reports, magazines articles or cooking recipes in your classroom? If so you are using materials which involve language naturally occuring as communication in native-speaker contexts of use: Authentic Materials.
But, what are authentic materials? a common definition stated by the author of this article Ferit Kilickaya, says exposure to real language and its use in its own community, real life and meaningful communication.
Some of the main advantages of using authentic materials are:

* They have a positive effect on learner motivation.
* They provide authentic cultural information.
* They provide exposure to real language.
* They relate more closely to learners' needs.

* They support a more creative approach to teaching.                       

Disadvantages of Using Authentic Materials

They often contain difficult language, unneeded vocabulary items and complex language structures, which causes a burden for the teacher in lower-level classes. Also sometimes the materials may be too culturally biased.

Using Authentic Materials: At Which Level?

The use at lower levels may cause students o feel de-motivated and frustrated since they lack many lexical items and structures used in the target language. A Survey carried out by Chavez (1998), shows that learners enjoy dealing with authentic materials since they interact with the real language and its use. However, learners need lots of support, guidance and cues.
To help learners with the difficulties dealing of authentic materials we can use audio-visual materials aiding students' comprehension. As teachers we need to provide constant pedagogical support. 

Cultural Content

The reason for the use of cultural content in classroom is for the supposition that it will foster learner motivation. Successful language learning requires language users to know that culture underlying language in order to get the meaning across.
Shanahan(1997) states that cultural content provides exposure to living language that a foreign language student lacks. So, culture is not something consisting of facts to be learnt, but a helpful tool to make learners feel the need to speak and use the target language.

How Can We Introduce Cultural Content in Our Classrooms?

We should create a relaxing environment where students can discuss their own culture together with the target culture in meaningful and communicative tasks and activities.
Some sources of cultural information are: Newspapers, video, talks/discussions, role paly/dramatizations and culture quizzes. The internet is also a valuable source of information.
Remember there should be a variety of culture in the materials, not a specific one. Authentic materials are important to complete the gap between the competency and performance of the language learners. As teachers we need to keep trying new materials and techniques to best achieve our goals, so be creative and don't be afraid to use authentic materials.

                                                        

Childhood Obesity in America : The Causes (Part 1)

Choosing a Textbook and Other Printed Materials

The article that I read states a very realistic fact about a number of programs that are still available were written many years ago (1960s) and do not reflect the importance of communication and language acquisition we need today.

We need to search for materials that are helpful according to our students environment and reality.

When age appropiate materials appear, the best of them will have more in common with thematic, integrated materials for the elementary school than with the traditional high school textbook.

Even when a satisfactory text is available, it represents only a starting point for the curriculum. Supplementary materials and activities chosen or devised by the teacher respond to the interests and needs of children , and they constitute the most dynamic part of elementary school foreign language instruction.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING TEXTBOOKS

As teachers of a foreign language, the following are some questions to remember in order to evaluate materials:

- Do the materials reflect authentic use of the language?

- Are the goals of the program or authors clear?

- Does communication rather than grammar serve as the organizing principle?

- Is the material oriented to activity and experience rather than to exercise and drill?

- Is culture presented from a global perspective rather than focusing on a single country or region?

- Are the materials adaptable to different program models adn time allocations?

- Do the materials provide options for variety of students learning styles?

- Is there a teacher's manual with abundant suggestions for the teacher?

- Are the materials affordable?

Materials are very necessary in our daily lessons, but we careful and selective in order to reach the goals and  have better performance of the language.

Motivations Just For You

7 Secrets of Success.....

I found the answers in my room:

Roof said: Aim high

Fan said: be cool

Clock said: Every minute is precious

Mirror said: Reflect before you act

Window said: See the world

Calendar said: Be up-to-date

Door said: Push hard to achieve your goals.