tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.comments2017-05-02T11:25:16.020-04:00Free-Range ELTKathy Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560485763212635239noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-78096759019668955242014-09-11T22:59:43.142-04:002014-09-11T22:59:43.142-04:00Referring to word families might help, for sure! ...Referring to word families might help, for sure! I don't want to pick on MacMillan ... the myth is widespread!Kathy Faganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03560485763212635239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-30823231351876849152014-09-11T22:54:57.765-04:002014-09-11T22:54:57.765-04:00Excellent and thanks, see you there!Excellent and thanks, see you there!Kathy Faganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03560485763212635239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-6916200745529584442014-09-11T18:51:20.682-04:002014-09-11T18:51:20.682-04:00hi good point about the importance of collocations...hi good point about the importance of collocations and phraseology;<br />also macmillan have gone for simplicity of message as it should be word +families+ :)<br /><br />ta<br />mura<br />muraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-18404053292252172472014-09-11T18:41:04.831-04:002014-09-11T18:41:04.831-04:00hi kathy
you may like to check out some #corpusmo...hi kathy<br /><br />you may like to check out some #corpusmooc info from course in jan that carol was on over the the G+ CL community https://plus.google.com/communities/101266284417587206243/stream/ea5b64fa-abb3-4788-bdaa-1db319ebcce0<br /><br />also my quick report of Amy Tate and Emilia Seravo webinar may be of interest - https://plus.google.com/104940199413423400545/posts/YKiLX2F61db<br /><br />hope to see u over at G+ when you start the #corpusmooc :)<br /><br />ta<br />muraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-15967814997118521212014-07-14T17:11:08.378-04:002014-07-14T17:11:08.378-04:00Hi Jim, you had me laughing out loud envisioning t...Hi Jim, you had me laughing out loud envisioning the class ignoring you while you desperately tried to get their attention (and also cringing with a familiar feeling!). When our program first started, it had rolling enrollment and we took in all levels below "advanced". There is a whole set of challenges that goes with that situation! I really like the specific topic courses ... It would surely appeal to learners who are in it for the purpose of keeping their brain in tune. Or how about an English-learners movie group, that prepares for, watches, discusses, writes a review about a specific movie once every few months. (Anybody running a school out there who wants to try it?)Kathy Faganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03560485763212635239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-46296594689815165812014-07-14T16:56:08.952-04:002014-07-14T16:56:08.952-04:00(Working on an iPad and hit the 'publish' ...(Working on an iPad and hit the 'publish' button before I was finished!) I love the creative approach you took with your group. In fact, it rings a bell ... One of the eight (one of the two who joined later) was once highly engaged by a minor creative activity in one of our lessons. It involved a series of drawn pictures without captions. She not only delighted in writing a story to go with the pictures, but she later went on to expand it to several pages. I used her text as the input to a later lesson with the whole class, which I could tell made her feel especially good. I think the reason that the seniors are more interested in the English class than the activities at the senior center is because the English class is not "for old people" but about learning and creating and staying young. It seems like the activity where learners narrate the audio for a clip is sort of like the sequence of pictures activity. I will be keeping that idea in my pocket for the near future in my new speaking and listening class!Kathy Faganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03560485763212635239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-73105746251125265092014-07-14T16:43:50.448-04:002014-07-14T16:43:50.448-04:00Hi Ceri! Thank you for sharing your very similar ...Hi Ceri! Thank you for sharing your very similar experience. Part of why I finally decided to post was because teachers can end up feeling like they're alone in dealing with some problems. I definitely thought my problem was unique! It's helpful to know that others have been in a similar situation ... Though I wouldn't wish the stress on anyone! Kathy Faganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03560485763212635239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-37708836251293551272014-07-14T09:44:02.554-04:002014-07-14T09:44:02.554-04:00Kathy,
I know 'Igor' very well indeed. He...Kathy,<br /><br />I know 'Igor' very well indeed. He is alive, ish, and pottering along in a class of mine in Japan. He has been doing so for at least a decade. He still thinks I'm American...<br /><br />Igor-san is retired, a widower, and has beaten cancer. The highlight of his week is to come along to my 'open' class at a kind of public community organisation once a week, prime-time evening slot, at a level that has been progressively beyond him. And reconnect with his friends, some of whom are very keen to engage in L1 as you have beautifully outlined above - a natter instead of an exchange; a check of answers a/b/c "ok" where I so want to here the language (any) of opinion, agreement, checking, listening, contrasting (anything!)...I look up after 10 seconds scanning my plan/tuning in to other conversations to see broad smiles of accomplishment & 'finished' from a predictable (far) corner of the table.<br /><br />After that, interference with other groups correcting their 'mistakes' (in L1) before they've had time to negotiate in any language. All of the answers for any possible activity in the text book have been filled in for at least the next 3 units...but will I hell do any 'homework' or review in the workbook? And don't give me a worksheet<br /><br />It is a rolling 3 month sign up that I do not control; hitting a minimum number = class gets canned. And anyone can sign up, and occasionally do because it is cheap, a good time of the evening, free parking etc. No graduation, testing, any kind of requirements at all beyond a pulse & a few quid.<br /><br />Class never notices the occasions when I have totally given up and stabbed myself in the eye with a marker pen/dragged my fingernails across the board to attract non-verbal attention/baked a cake in the corner of the room/given completely wrong answers or spoken in French.<br /><br />I like Igor-san out of class - he makes sure I have a full glass at parties; he has taken himself around the world to visit casinos (he then treats class on return to a 90 minute slideshow entirely in L1 of off the cuff commentary, unedited timeline, no maps or supporting references all the while munching on the obligatory souvenir haul class requires from any traveller returned). He has cocked a snook at the big C & knows loads of stuff. But less English than when I 1st met him & indulged his L1ness.<br /><br />I have absolutely no solution; when I'm in a good mood (last class of my day) & he isn't nodding off or answering his phone in class we can glide past the pot-holes "tell your partner what your last partner just told you" ('I have no idea because I couldn't be bothered listening')...or "what do you think the speaker will mention on the audio" ('I already read the tapescript & translated it').<br /><br />Thank you ever so much for posting about your class/experience, Kathy. I had a good chuckle & know these things are sent to try us. I loose new students in this class because of, and other learners loose great opportunities to become better (English) learners. However, their generosity to him informs me that maybe he has every right to be there & I had just better pull my head in a bit - it's their community after all (unlike your situation I think). I would love to deliver Rolls-Royce lessons week in, week out, but I usually end up with a Toyota Hilux (Top Gear variety).<br /><br />If at my own school - I'd offer short (3-month) "grey hair" courses on specific topics eg English baking (sic), Facebook, Venice, Christmas and try hard to retain the keepers, with a breathing space between to allow mutual cooling off. Yes, also brings in the exclusive aspect of next enrollment, but you are often doing the 'too polite to say anything' co-students a favour. Of course, you have to do this in such a way that you do not become an ogre!<br /><br />Apologies for the longer comment! You struck a nerve :)<br /><br />Jim<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17456177073785347711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-63570810831411997592014-07-14T06:14:24.760-04:002014-07-14T06:14:24.760-04:00Hi Kathy, I recognise and sympathise with the prob...Hi Kathy, I recognise and sympathise with the problem! I've been teaching senior students this last year and have been fascinated by the difference it makes to the dynamic, the teacher's role, everything! My context is very different. The students are in Spain and have very little contact with English speakers, except for the odd cruise passenger getting lost on the streets of their town. They're retired and studying English as part hobby (something to fill thier day), part therapy (keeping their brains young and alive). They don't need or want to do or pass tests, and luckily our funding doesn't depend on data. But at the same time they do pose a challenge and they don't always fit in comfortably alongside other students. I don't have any solutions to offer, just some experiences to share. The L1 problem is obviously the same as in our group of eight and we had to invent characters to invite into our classroom. We had George, a slightly cantankerous visitor who loved to go out and try the local food, we had Beverly, chatty and friendly who'd talk about just about anything, we had Pat (I think his name was) a waiter in a bar in London. We'd draw them or post photos of them on the board and build dialogues with them. The ideas and flow of the conversation came from the students, the language often came from me (these were beginners). And then we'd act them out. They seemed to enjoy the fiction and the pretense. That was one thing that worked to get them out of their L1 trap and communicating in English. Another thing I tried was setting them youtube viewing homework. I'd find simple clips presenting an area of language (once it was vox pops on the street with people talking about their jobs, another time it was a presentation on how to tell the time) and ask the students to watch them at home as many times as they wanted. In class we'd play the same clip without sound and the students had to commentate in English. This seemed to break the communicative ice too. But this is fine if your students are willing to play the game, if what they really want is to be part of a social group with an excuse to meet that also salves their conscience in some way, then I think the conversation class you suggested was the best solution. When I taught in Italy we had the "coffee morning" classes (our internal name for them) for students who really had no intention or need to study. But we were in a context where we could guide other students to other groups and classes. I think you did the best you could in the situation. Ceri Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08659711828316937649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-887193293536246602014-06-13T09:19:45.829-04:002014-06-13T09:19:45.829-04:00Thanks, Chiew! I'm excited to be trying somet...Thanks, Chiew! I'm excited to be trying something new ... and class sessions are only 90 minutes. I'm used to 3 hour marathons!Kathy Faganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03560485763212635239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-19600488486731176422014-06-13T03:14:33.950-04:002014-06-13T03:14:33.950-04:00Good luck, Kath!
ChiewGood luck, Kath!<br />ChiewChiewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10186336034760631486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-90640630577611595902014-01-29T14:02:43.681-05:002014-01-29T14:02:43.681-05:00Hi Kathy!!
Awesome post! I love hearing you thin...Hi Kathy!! <br /><br />Awesome post! I love hearing you thinking through a lot of the same questions I was working through. I feel like our thought patterns were quite similar, and it's so true that we aren't teaching ethics classes, but we can't really divorce ethics from real life, and so it is important to know what our values are and, as you ask, whether or not I am actually living in a way that demonstrates those values!! <br /><br />Thanks for linking back!! Looking forward to reading more of your posts! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-74666464319106001592013-12-25T17:25:49.580-05:002013-12-25T17:25:49.580-05:00Congrats my dear for another year of blogging. I&#...Congrats my dear for another year of blogging. I'm very grateful that you have a blog and that I had the lovely opportunity to connecting to you. Like you I usually carry my Teaching Unplugged with me too. I remember waiting almost a month for it to arrive and happily browse it a thousand times. I highly recommend it too. Cheers to another year of blogging from you Kathy. Please come by whenever you can to share your journey, your learning, your thoughts, anything is so appreciated. Rose Bardhttp://rosebardeltdiary.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-85008251027386764762013-12-22T07:21:30.094-05:002013-12-22T07:21:30.094-05:00Hi Kathy
Thanks so much for nominating me. I hav...Hi Kathy<br /><br />Thanks so much for nominating me. I have just replied to your questions here - http://tinyurl.com/qjyxjpq - I really enjoyed doing this challenge, as it prompted me to write my first blog post in ages, so that's great! I also enjoyed finding out more about you by reading your your lovely post here :-) Janet Bianchinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11091873251779290222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-65482571286580195982013-12-20T05:38:16.177-05:002013-12-20T05:38:16.177-05:00I've responded: http://bit.ly/1hqu4wB
LI've responded: http://bit.ly/1hqu4wB<br />LLeohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16077987567636970527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-57696848080503647142013-12-19T21:46:51.508-05:002013-12-19T21:46:51.508-05:00Hey, if we pair up at karaoke we can overwhelm the...Hey, if we pair up at karaoke we can overwhelm them with enthusiasm,heh heh!Kathy Faganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03560485763212635239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-90259032711158817202013-12-19T09:11:56.089-05:002013-12-19T09:11:56.089-05:00I'm so glad you responded, Kathy. Thank you! I...I'm so glad you responded, Kathy. Thank you! It's really interesting to find out more about you. That vegetarian chili sounds ideal. I must see if I can find the recipe. I can identify completely with what you write in response to question 4. And, let's not pair up at a karaoke, if we ever get the chance to meet :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-25495486567332209842013-11-21T12:29:19.443-05:002013-11-21T12:29:19.443-05:00Oh yes, I really appreciate your posts. They ofte...Oh yes, I really appreciate your posts. They often are right on target with things I'm trying myself! KathyKathy Faganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03560485763212635239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-30347538519776236632013-11-16T05:31:58.782-05:002013-11-16T05:31:58.782-05:00Hi Kathy,
I too have been falling behind with my ...Hi Kathy, <br />I too have been falling behind with my blog reading lately, although I do manage to glance at a handful - this blog being one of them. Thanks for the mention. It's nice to know that one of my posts inspired your much more comprehensive one about using puzzles. <br />CarolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-75290337344672563162013-07-27T20:52:45.203-04:002013-07-27T20:52:45.203-04:00if you have a .edu email account (I don't :( )...if you have a .edu email account (I don't :( ) you can apparently get an upgrade to the pro version for free!<br /><br />http://www.techgravy.net/camscanner-app-free-upgrade-pro-version/Kathy Faganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03560485763212635239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-26699190366262442192013-07-27T20:42:14.140-04:002013-07-27T20:42:14.140-04:00If it turns out to be really useful, I'll prob...If it turns out to be really useful, I'll probably get the paid version. If you sign up (no cost) you get some free cloud storage. I had scanned student word directly from their notebooks and I downloaded it onto my laptop and opened the PDFs in Adobe Reader. I was able to annotate them (type in some comments, etc.) and then print them out for student folders, etc. I would consider using their tagging capability and their cloud offering for maintaining all student files, but it seems that the cloud website is kinda slow and pretty limited. Might use an alternative.<br /><br />I also noticed that you have to be careful about having enough light (otherwise the scan is kinda blurry). But in general, the scans I took are suitable!Kathy Faganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03560485763212635239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-22093695460115442582013-07-27T14:46:53.618-04:002013-07-27T14:46:53.618-04:00Looking good... may be even better than my cheapo ...Looking good... may be even better than my cheapo 3-in-1. Scanning pages off books can be awkward at the best of times, so camera scanning makes sense, just like in the good old spy days, lol. It's not perfect, of course, and I can't do any selection on the post-scanning pdf, so I'll have to make sure I do all the editing at the mobile phone stage. Eye-straining sometimes.<br />The ads are very distracting so if I make use of it a lot, I might get the paid version.Chiewhttp://dogmediaries.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-86906508234119594952013-07-26T16:03:12.498-04:002013-07-26T16:03:12.498-04:00Let me know if it works for you!
I've revived...Let me know if it works for you!<br /><br />I've revived my efforts to use a wiki this year, too. (Per an old conversation we had a while back.) This new batch of learners seems pretty excited about it!Kathy Faganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03560485763212635239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-30437394278266819172013-07-26T03:27:16.800-04:002013-07-26T03:27:16.800-04:00Interesting, Kath! Thanks for the shout. Now that ...Interesting, Kath! Thanks for the shout. Now that I have a smart phone, I'm going to check it out :-) Chiewhttp://dogmediaries.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4401000866208250596.post-46199647656817429372013-05-06T10:38:47.564-04:002013-05-06T10:38:47.564-04:00Nice to see you too, Rose! So much going on, that ...Nice to see you too, Rose! So much going on, that I have been more of an "observer" than a contributor on the Internet lately!! Kathy Faganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03560485763212635239noreply@blogger.com