Cambridge English Signature Event - Observation and Reflection: tensions between best practice and reality

Observation - something which ELT teachers are always trying to be alert about and be prepared for. 

1) But how effective is observation? 
2) At what stage is observation effective?
3) What are the cultural, social and personal factors that influence all the 3 - the observer, the teacher and the student?
4) Are students observed at all? Why is the focus only on teachers?
Dr. Craig says -'Teachers or students- who are the elephants in the room?'
5) What makes observation uncomfortable?
6) Solutions? Best practice vs reality.

See more at:
http://iatefl.britishcouncil.org/2016/session/cambridge-english-signature-event-observation-and-reflection-tensions-between-best

The native vs the non-native speaker - Plenary by Silvana Richardson- 14th April

In these times, in the world of ELT, there is a divide based on preferences for a native speaker (NS)over a non-native speaker (NNS), in terms of hiring. Why is it? Though studies show that a NNS can equally be efficient or in some cases more effective than a NS. 

In this plenary, Mrs. Silvana Richardson excellently explores the issues surrounding the NNS in terms of employment, discrimination, NS-bias etc.

See more-
http://iatefl.britishcouncil.org/2016/session/plenary-silvana-richardson

Enhancing speaking and writing using Google Apps- 14th April

In this digital age, with digital natives, everyone wants fast and quick action be it learning or teaching. In this video, Mr. Dale speaks about how to use Google Apps internally in the classroom and externally. 

Some apps discussed were:
1) Talk and comment
2) Soundation
3) Padlet
4) Todays Meet

See more at
http://iatefl.britishcouncil.org/2016/session/enhancing-speaking-and-writing-outcomes-using-google-apps

12th April - interview sessions with top educators in ELT

There were interview sessions with many of the top ELT educators in the ELT yesterday, 12th April  by such as:

1) Dr. Andy Curtis, TESOL president
2) Mrs. Marjorie Rosenberg, IATEFL president
3) Mr. Herbert Puchta
4) Mrs. Anna Searle 
5) Mrs. Lisa peter

There interviews can be seen at:
12th April - interviews with top ELT educators- IATEFL 2016


Remember, today, 13th April, Wednesday, is the first day of the IATEFL sessions starting with opening plenary by Dr. David Crystal, at 11:15 AM (KSA time) on 'Who would of thought it? The English language 1966-2066.'

For details, follow the link:
IATEFL 2016 plenary schedule

Attend and enjoy!!!


Android users - click to download from Google Playstore

Don't miss the 50th IATEFL conference and exhibition!!

-Starts today at 3 PM - Saudi time.

-Lots of plenaries

-Excellent workshops for professional development

Don't miss the live sessions of the 50th IATEFL conference and exhibition

http://iatefl.britishcouncil.org/2016

Medicine 1 - Pages 39-43

Download  the lesson covered in class from Unit 3:

Medicine 2 - March 31st - Unit 3 - Pages 20-25

Click on the slides to follow:

Medicine 1 - Unit 5 - Page 36 - Types of medication

Types of medication

Medicine 2 - Unit 2 - page 18

Language spot

Medicine 2 - Unit 2 - page 16 - 17

Reading exercises 2 - 4 (pages 16-17)

2) Skim (read the text quickly) and match the headings with the correct paragraph. So, read the text on page 17:

First, study the flash cards and pronunciation:

Practice online - Present simple, present continuous and present perfect

http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=7106

http://englishteststore.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10626:present-simple-present-continuous-present-perfect-test-01&catid=290:basic-grammar-present-simple-continuous-perf&Itemid=391

Medicine 2 - Unit 2 - Vocabulary - Accidents - Page 12

Medicine 2 - Unit 2 - Vocabulary - Accidents - Page 12

Online game for present perfect - for and since

Present perfect - for and since:
http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=5876

Unit 1 - Lesson 2 - Section D - Page 7

D) Use the words to write statements or questions in the present perfect.

1) Have you gone sightseeing before?
2) She has already tried Guatemalan food.
3) Have they ever been to Buenos Aires?
4) We haven't taken a tour of Prague yet.
5) Has she gone to the top of the Empire State Building yet.

Unit 1 - Lesson 2 - Section C - Grammar - Page 7

C) Grammar

Yet - Used in 2 places
   a) end of the question - Have you seen Riyadh yet?
   b) negative statements - We haven't seen Egypt yet.

Already - Used in positive statements after has/have
   
I have already eaten Mandi.    

Ever and before used only in questions.

Has he ever gone to UK?
Has she gone to USA before?

Please revise:

http://bengpy.blogspot.com/2015/02/unit-1-present-perfect-yet-page-6.html

http://bengpy.blogspot.com/2015/02/unit-1-present-perfect-yet-page-6_11.html

http://bengpy.blogspot.com/2015/02/unit-1-present-perfect-ve-yet-page-6.html

http://bengpy.blogspot.com/2015/02/unit-1-present-perfect-ever-pages-6-7.html   

Unit 1 - Lesson 2 - Exercise B - Page 6

A) Study the vocabulary on slides 5 - 10 at

http://bengpy.blogspot.com/2015/02/unit-1-greetings-and-small-talk-lesson.html

B) Use the vocabulary to write the words in present perfect.

climb -  He has climbed the Uhud mountain.

go sightseeing - I have gone sightseeing.

go to the top - We have gone to the top of Kingdom tower.

try - You have tried Kapsa.

take a tour - She has taken a tour of the Corniche.

take pictures - They taken pictures of Jeddah

Unit 1 - present perfect - ever (pages 6-7)

We use the words "ever" and "before" to talk about life experiences.

Unit 1 - present perfect (-ve) (yet) - Page 6

Yet is also used in negative statements

Unit 1 - Present perfect (Already) (page 6)

Use already in positive statements

Unit 1 - Present perfect (Yet) (page 6)

Yet

This is used at the end of the questions in present perfect to ask about recent experiences.