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Verbal Planet

Verbal Planet

Language Teachers, Tutors, Classes - Private Lessons, Home Tutor 70+ Online Language Communities and Resources The world wide web can be a good place to start learning a foreign language. This is a compilation of language communities, tools, and other online resources that'll help you get started. Also don't forget these resources - 30+ Language Tools For Firefox and Dictionary Toolbox: 50+ Dictionary & Reference Sites Language Communities Chaula - Chaula is a pronunciation dictionary created by the community and a social network where you can help other people learn your language. FriendsAbroad - An online community of language learners speaking over 80 languages across 200 countries. Huitalk - This is a language learning community where you can chat with other Huitalk members, access the article resource, and join the forums to learn new languages. iTalki - Language exchange network wherein you can find a partner and practice speaking a foreign language using an instant messenger or iTalki's text and voice chat tool. Novlet - A collaborative story writing tool in several languages.

How to Create an (Almost) Perfect ESL Lesson Plan from Scratch ATTN: Newbie ESL teachers. I have a story for you that should sound familiar. My first six months teaching English in Korea were a disaster. I had no training, and no idea what I was doing. A blank sheet of paper had to become 45 minutes of constructive ESL teaching. After a lot of trial and error, I finally figured out a simple recipe to create ESL lesson plans that work. How to Create an (Almost) Perfect ESL Lesson Plan from Scratch The challenges of ESL lesson planning While beginning to teach English in Korea, I only kept my job because of my incredibly patient co-teachers. What made it so hard? With no educational training, I was expected to teach English to Korean middle school students without a book. If any of this sounds familiar, then this blog is for you. Questions to ask before making a lesson plan Give these questions some thought before you outline your ESL lesson plan. 1. 2. 3. The 6 crucial stages of ESL lesson planning Step 1: Decide on your lesson plan objectives 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Languages - Homepage EU Framework of Reference for Languages The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment,[1] abbreviated as CEFR or CEF, is a guideline used to describe achievements of learners of foreign languages across Europe and, increasingly, in other countries (for example, Colombia and the Philippines). It was put together by the Council of Europe as the main part of the project "Language Learning for European Citizenship" between 1989 and 1996. Its main aim is to provide a method of learning, teaching and assessing which applies to all languages in Europe. Development[edit] In 1991 the Swiss Federal Authorities held an Intergovernmental Symposium in Rüschlikon, Switzerland, on "Transparency and Coherence in Language Learning in Europe: Objectives, Evaluation, Certification". Theoretical background[edit] General and particular communicative competences are developed by producing or receiving texts in various contexts under various conditions and constraints. Common reference levels[edit]

‘Can you teach well without a sound knowledge of educational theory? The answer is no’ On what evidence did George Bernard Shaw base his infamous slur "Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach"? In the case of teaching teachers, this simply isn’t my experience. Excellent classroom teachers take up teacher education positions in universities as a positive mid-career choice. In a published pamphlet, Professor Chris Winch and I argue that the structure of teacher training may be contributing to teacher education’s image problem, so it needs a radical rethink. Instead, we are concerned that teachers also need to know and understand educational theory if they are to teach well, and this aspect of their professional knowledge is insufficiently developed at present. Teachers need to know and understand established theories that have stood the test of time about how children learn, and apply them successfully to their practice. There are serious defects in the argument that the university-based element of teachers’ professional formation is unnecessary. This is so sad.

French MyMemory 10 Creative Ways to Use Popular Movies in Fun ESL Lessons Bored of book work? Tired of teacher-talking? Want something exciting for your students? Then watch a movie! Now, I know what some of you might be thinking: Isn’t watching a movie a cop-out? It’s tempting to think that putting on a movie is simply a great excuse for the teacher to sit at the back of the room, dim the lights and fall asleep clutching the remote. Creating a lesson around a popular movie is a sure-fire way to have fun, engage your English learners and gain some much coveted popularity! How Does Watching a Movie Help ESL Students? There are countless ways in which movies can support your lesson. For example, they can be used to: Reinforce a grammar pointListen for gistPractice vocabularyDiscuss and debateRole play Movies are a brilliant way for students to hear up-to-date authentic speech and be exposed to various accents. To help your ESL students improve their English using any movie or short film, try out the following activities! 5 Great ESL Movie Comprehension Activities 1. 2.

Spanish How can film help you teach or learn English? What can film and video add to the learning experience? Kieran Donaghy, who won the British Council’s TeachingEnglish blog award tells us why film is such a good resource and recommends some useful websites, in one of our top five articles of all time, illustrated by artist Jamie Johnson. Language teachers have been using films in their classes for decades, and there are a number of reasons why film is an excellent teaching and learning tool. Learning from films is motivating and enjoyable Motivation is one of the most important factors in determining successful second-language acquisition. Film provides authentic and varied language Another benefit of using film is that it provides a source of authentic and varied language. Film gives a visual context The visuality of film makes it an invaluable language teaching tool, enabling learners to understand more by interpreting the language in a full visual context. Variety and flexibility Lesson plans Allat C Lessonstream Viral ELT Film English

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