Interesting articles

These articles have to do with topics that have been discussed and covered in class. 

The first one has to do with an element that is embedded in our written and spoken language: Grammar. To know how to use it improves tremendously our capacity to produce accurate and understandable outcomes. Such article explains that memorising a list of rules is not needed since grammar can be learnt in a natural way. How to do it? Just take a look at this short but useful article that can guide us to modify our learning habits and enjoy more of learning and teaching grammar. Moreover, we can go beyond and read other further and related readings.

Article on grammar and vocabulary   what not to do

View more documents from Professional Development Course ELTB.

The second article has to do with some issues that might be present when teaching at any learning scenario: Feedback and discipline. Part of our professional performance as teacher is to analyse the students' learning process. Each students has a different way to learn and to be orientated in order to get awareness and the things that can be improved. It is in this case in which feedback plays an important role. A good feedback is always enriching and beneficial. And, speaking of beneficial things, nothing is compared to study in a quite and comfortable environment, then discipline comes into the arena to help us provide a proper environment for learning. Enjoy therefore, the following presentation:

Feedback to learners & discipline

View more presentations from Professional Development Course ELTB.

Online and free solutions for checking grammar mistakes

Do you feel that sometimes you need a final revision for your written text? Don't you have anyone to revise them? Don't get despaired! The internet can help you with two options that can  detect plagiarism and give you general feedback on your writing.

Paper Rater - Fill in the space, choose the appropriate options and click on "get report" to start receiving your revision results. Review your title if necessary, change the traces of detected plagiarised text, correct the spelling, follow the grammar suggestions, receive scores on bad phrase and transitional words, get a feedback on style and obtain a vocabulary score at the end. Besides diagnosing and measuring your written texts, Paper Rater gives you recommendations to boost your vocabulary and if you like what you get, you can share it on Facebook.

Grammar check - If you want to have a slight revision of your text, you can paste your written product on the table and click on the check mark. You will receive feedback instantaneously. You can also use the "grammar check" widget that is embedded on the right side of this blog.

Self Study: How to make the most of your study time.

English has become the Lingua-franca of nowadays. It is the language with the most quantity of users. It can be in a classroom, in the virtual world or at home, each English learner decides where, how and why to study it. If you are one of those learners that want to improve your English level,  find tips for making the most of your study time or go out from the comfort zone, this booklet is for your:

Self study: How to make the best of your study time.

(Click on the picture to download the study guide)

This booklet belongs to a series of study guides designed to help all English students that are interested on boosting vocabulary, and the four language skills (Reading, listening, writing and speaking) and developing professional skills and study habits. The following are the study guides you can download for free: New Professional Skills, Learning Circles, Vocabulary Notebook, Upgrade Your English ('Ideas which can give your confidence a boost), Effective Reading ('Reading literature in English'), Learning Guide ('Build vocabulary, make phrases and correct your own errors'), Self Study ('Make the most of your study time'), The Language of Study and Work ('Write better essays, give effective presentations - and get that job!'), The Language of the Media ('News headlines, sports commentaries, arts reviews...').

These materials are available on http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/studyguides/#guides

Shaping the way we teah English

"Shaping the way we teach English" is a video-based training series for English language educators. This product, developed and produced by he University of Oregon, includes 14 modules (topics), videos showcase with classroom scenes from around the world and has an accompanying training manual plus additional readings. If you are a teacher whose objectives are to build an academic or “pedagogical” foundation; and to improve classroom practices, these materials are for you.

Then, here you are the official WebPage. Click on it and have access to the manual, 14 modules with videos, video transcripts, video viewing guides, supplementary international video library collection, teaching and classroom observation check-lists and a list of supplementary WebPage readings:

http://oelp.uoregon.edu/shaping.html

All materials were developed and produced through funding from the U.S. Department of State, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Office of English Language Programs in 2007. These contents are free of charge and copyable for non-commercial educational use.