REFLECTIONS ON CREATING AND USING A BLOG

At first it was difficult to set up the blog because it needed IT skills I did not have.  Also, the time to check the Blog and make contributions, easy enough for someone who has first language English but one hour becomes three hours if you need a dictionary too.  Planning is important, so you blog is not chaotic.  I think this is good for students, who can comment with each other and the teacher.  It is a form of Brainstorming and I like Brother Pisutr idea that parents can check their children's work and even comment on the work. It is another technology that give more power and responsibility to the student.  Overall, I think that Blogging, or the Weblog is more suited for students than teachers like me, with a heavy workload, very large classes and a lot of marking and documentation.  However, it would be good as a homework resource or to post advice for students...or start a topic and let the students carry on that topic with each other.

EFL ASSESSMENTS

ASSESSMENT OF EFL STUDENTS is especially important.  There is an international standard where assessment levels are divided into:
Beginner, High Beginner, Elementary
Intermediate, Advanced.

However, it may be important to break these general assessments into skills assessments:  I think it important in my teaching that I have a strong set of assessments that guide my teaching.

 Examples of ESL/EFL Rubrics

http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=ShowRubric&rubric_id=1034333

http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/actbank/collaborub.html

http://www.shambles.net/pages/learning/EnglishP/eslassess/

What kind of Assessments do you use?

ESL/EFL Writing Activities

Encouraging student participation in the exercise, while at the same time refining and expanding writing skills. The teacher should be clear on what skills he/she is trying to develop.

http://www.brighthub.com/education/languages/articles/86386.aspx

Writing to due to the following reasons:

• to have them communicate with a reader
• to allow them express feelings when the person they want to talk to is not in front of them
• to be able to narrate and record experiences
• to become familiar with English conventions

http://www.brighthub.com/education/languages/articles/86386.aspx#ixzz15sT5b82L

ESL / EFL Listening Activities

Listening Test Demo

Look at these examples. Studentst listen to the demo sound file. They will hear the examples only once. They decide which of the words printed in red they hear, and select the answer by clicking the radio button to the right of the word. Then they press the 'Check answers' button to see the answers. Click on the icon to start.

Top of Form

Listening Test Demo

1 She's a really fine kind girl. 2 I saw them both dancing in the dark park .

Bottom of Form

http://www.edict.com.hk/Diagnostic/listening.htm

Short Speaking Activities

Student Interviews










Purpose: Introducing Students to Each Other / Expressing Opinions
Ask students to write five or more questions about this topic (students can also come up with the questions in small groups). Once they have finished the questions, they should interview at least two other students in the class and take notes on their answers. When the students have finished the activity, ask students to summarize what they have found out from the students they have interviewed.
This exercise is very flexible. Beginning students can ask each other when they do their various daily tasks, advanced students can make up questions concerning politics or other hot topics.

http://esl.about.com/z/js/o.htm?k=speaking%20english&d=Speaking%20English&r=http://esl.about.com/od/esleflteachingtechnique/a/lmh_speaking.htm

http://esl.about.com/od/speakingenglish/Speaking_English_Pronunciation_and_Conversation_Skills.htm

Improve Your Reading Skills in English

Improve Your Reading Skills in English

Free reading activities and tests 

Aptitude for speed reading

Anyone wanting to improve their reading skills in preparation for English exams such as Cambridge PET, FCE and CAE!

Elementary / Pre-Intermediate:

Intermediate:  

Advanced: 

http://www.world-english.org/improve_reading_skills.htm

http://englishenglish.com/reading_skills.htm