Craig's TESOL Blog

Language Learning and Teaching

Jun
7

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5 L&T Technology Picks for the TESOL Industry

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Technology name
 QR Code for further information
 Possible Learning & Teaching activities
Pimsleur Language Learning Pimsleur is a fantastic language learning program based on the Audio Lingual Method. It also includes Graduated Interval Recall methodology. Many non-native speaker teachers can teach grammar and structure of language well but are reluctant to teach speaking and pronunciation. They can incorporate these 30 minute lessons into their curriculum and/or set as home work. The program also includes reading practice backed by native speaker pronunciation. Try a free lesson! 
BBC Learning English BBC Learning English is a fantastic free resource that TESOL teachers can use to cover all macro skills. It has audio files, test and grammar practice, worksheets, and segments called 6 minute English that uses current affairs and other interesting topics for listening practice with accompanying grammar explanations and worksheets with answers. For a sneak peak why not try “Women on Motorbikes!:
KAHOOT!  Kahoot! Is a FREE Interactive gaming quiz that is taking ESL classes by storm. Can be used for teacher-student engagement, for previews and reviews of lessons and concepts as well as just for a bit of fun! You can build your own quizzes or simply access some of the public ones on offer. Why not try out your ESL Advanced Grammar in this public ‘Kahoot!’ quiz!
TRACKTest One of the more tedious events of a language teacher with rolling intakes is the level-testing aspect of teaching. TRACKTest can provide a level test result to your account. It doesn’t waste the test candidate’s time with task items that are irrelevant and automatically adjusts to a candidate’s English level based on questions as they are answered correctly (test get’s harder) or incorrectly (test gets easier). Levels tests are free but your organisation can also register for more thorough level testing as either a course placement device and/or an end of level assessment based on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference). Test your level here!
DuoLingo

 

 Duolingo Works! Teachers can encourage all in their classes to download the app and practice English on their phones and tablets. Teachers can set learning goals. The app assists with vocabulary development and has native speaker pronunciation for listening practice.

 

Reference:

Common European Framework of Reference (2018), Retrieved from https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions

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May
6

By

Curriculum Design Using Web-based Resources for TESOL learning

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Over the years I find beginner TESOL teachers are often stuck when asked to prepare or present a series of classes for beginner students. Generally an ELICOS college or a major language school has set and prescribed texts/course books and a rigorous Curriculum that is audited and reviewed. However, a large segment of the TESOL market includes teaching in under resourced market segments. These might be situations like: Teaching English overseas (EFL) with low budgets; Providing private one-on-one/small group classes; or Teaching in Community Support/Voluntary contexts etc.

Below is a range of Websites and Online Resources that can be used by a TESOL teacher to beef-up a curriculum and/or provide some ideas to teach more effectively. Most are free, some require a small subscription fee.

 

ACADEMIC – Griffith University – English HELP has collated a large database of Academic English sites from a range of providers: https://www2.griffith.edu.au/international/englishhelp

ALL SKILLS- Breaking News English – Mini Lessons –https://breakingnewsenglish.com/mini_lessons.html

ALL SKILLS- Oxford Online – Free Lessons –https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/free–english–lessons

AUSTRALIAN SLANG – Aussie English Site – http://www.theaussieenglishpodcast.com/category/podcastepisodes/

CHINESE– Low Level Mandarin Speakers Audio-Lingual –http://www.pimsleur.com/learn–english–for–mandarinchinese–speakers

GRAMMAR– Cambridge Phrasal Verbs Machine – https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/phrasal–verbsmachine/id593374912?mt=8

GRAMMAR– Scott’s English – TOEIC activites http://answers.scottsenglish.com/categories/toeic–test

IELTS RESOURCES– Free IELTS Materials – https://icte.uq.edu.au/testing/prepare–ielts

LISTENING – BBC – 6 minute English – http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6–minute–english

LISTENING– BBC – English for Work – http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/english–at–work

LISTENING – Spelling/Listening Activity –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXk9PQAdeaw

LISTENING –  Short 1-minute listening and quizzes – http://elllo.org/

MIND MAPPING – Note Taking App – http://mindmapfree.com/

READING – News Dictation and Lesson  – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6832D1096B2CE3DB

READING– Tiny Texts –https://tinytexts.wordpress.com/

READING – Level-Specific-Reading –http://www.readitenglish.com/

SPEAKING – English Club – https://www.englishclub.com/speaking/

SPEAKING – Pronunciation Lessons (British English) –https://www.qietesol.net/blog

SPEAKING– Rachel’s English – http://rachelsenglish.com/

TEST – Oxford Online – Level Test –https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/english–level–test

WRITING – Ultimate Spell-checker! – https://www.grammarly.com/

 

There are literally thousands more free sites out there for TESOL teachers – Hopefully these will get you started!

 

References

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