E V O L V E S C H O O L: TeachingEnglish Newsletter 10 November 2010

TeachingEnglish Newsletter

10 November 2010

Jamie Keddie is still with us as our Guest Teacher and he's already posted his first blog. If you haven't heard about Jamie's work you can find out more about him by checking out his biography here.

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Welcome to the TeachingEnglish newsletter. This week sees a large number of contributions from you the reader, with a couple of blog posts that raise interesting questions for discussion. One reader would like to know whether you think teaching English opens minds in closed societies. A second reader is interested in whether you think a knowledge of grammar necessarily means a high level of language production? Why not take time to leave your thoughts on the website?

We also have the first blog entry from Guest Writer Jamie Keddie which is on the topic of video equipment. There's also a new poll asking you to let us know how much you use coursebooks in class and a video of the latest British Council seminar. As always there's also something for you to try in the classroom; this week it's an activity that looks at the topic of inventions.

Best wishes,

Duncan
TeachingEnglish Team | British Council | BBC

Inventions

This is a fun speaking activity in the form of a game. It can be used with most levels and most age groups. Students practise presenting their opinions and reaching agreement. There is an initial group work activity and extension speaking and writing activities.
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Video hardware and equipment

OK - the title of this blog posting is a bit dull! But it's a very important issue. If, as teachers or trainers, we are going to use video, we have to decide how we are going to play and display it in the classroom. Here are three thoughts regarding the issue.
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Does teaching English open minds in closed societies?

Does teaching English open minds in closed societies? Are repressive governments "right" to fear the spread of English? Can the mania for learning English destabilize a rigidly controlled nation? In short, are dictators smart to jam the radio broadcasts of Voice of America, censor the Internet, and control textbooks in English programs? Will the worldwide fashion for learning English lead to a more open, tolerant, and democratic world?.
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A global revolution? Teaching English at primary school

English is being taught at increasingly younger ages in an expanding number of countries. So today, teenagers are no longer young learners of English. The new YL is a first grader, a pre-schooler or even a foetus!Why has this transformation occurred? What is the impact on education systems worldwide?
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Does grammar determine a high level in language production?

I have observed sadly that after some years of English studying, most students still present some problems in the oral and written production of the language. I, as an English teacher have a special interest on this subject. Not because I think of grammar as a priority, but as an important element that influences accuracy at the moment of using the language.

How often do you use course books?

Course books are big business for publishers. There are advantages and disadvantages to using them for the teacher. How do you feel about them? Are they an invaluable resource or an imposed restriction? As well as voting on this issue, do send us your thoughts on the use of this common resource.
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