Teacher Mike's International TEFL forum: Recent Episodes
Mike Dishnow 麥克爺爺
Exchange experiences and ideas about TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language. A free exchange creating a win/win situation for teachers, students, and parents. You need not be a certified teacher, You may be an interested parent of a student or the student yourself.
In TEFL teaching you may find non-native English speakers-- young Learners -- to be very shy. "Ice breaking" is fundamental, very important and useful. So, do I find, is simple teaching about mindfulness. I talk about my experiences this morning.
The use of voice recordings placed on YouTube as a TEFL teaching method. I usually have coordination of content with my foreign teaching colleagues. Examples are,available here: https://www.youtube.com/c/MikeDishnow麥克爺爺
Using deep reflection to study your thinking processes -- "thinking about thinking". Learning how to learn, how to expand and link your learning to practical everyday living.
Teaching your students the practical "real world" benefits of learning a lesson. How it will help them in their day to day life. If not immediately, in the future.
I discuss gratitude journaling and a variation of this idea you can use for language study. Combining good daily feelings/thoughts with learning a new word or phrase in English. Also, I talk about creating a mini-habit and the way to use it in language learning.
Recording a Skype session or other teaching situation is a valuable learning tool. This is true for both the student and the teacher. I discuss my experiences with this and my current reading and study of doing so.
A valuable strategy in language learning is talking to yourself (or a language partner). We call it "thinking aloud". I share my own experiences with this and tips/ideas from a book I am currently reading on megacognivity.
I just uploaded a simple Halloween lesson on PPT/video to my YouTube channel. It is the first os several I hope to do. I plan on reading some Halloween stories over the upcoming weekend and uploaded them too. I hope that teachers and students enjoy and find these useful. In the classroom or just for fun.
Mike talks about preparing for Skype sessions. What works best in his experience. Some pitfalls to avoid.
An article on Inquirer.net about teaching English opportunities during COVID-19. This is worth listening to and reading in its entirety online. The tip of an enormous iceberg .......
I have sorted the statistics regarding student involvement with MCC in obtaining practicum training hours. The wide participation in the USA and Canada is remarkable. The global reach of this is interesting too.
Short term memory may help on an upcoming test. But, to be functional it is important to move that learning to long term memory. This is done by recalling, several times -- using recall and repetition until you have reached this goal. Recall is particularly important. I recall studying spelling words, as a child, by writing them, then covering them up and writing them again. Doing this until I was successful.
That depends. Be cautious. Consider how your adult students feel about it. Are they embarrassed? Reluctant? I often use children's materials in my own personal study of Chinese, as well as adult materials. Do not simply discount materials written for children.
It is invaluable to have a native speaker helping you in language learning. I have a native Chinese speaker who makes recordings for me.
Tips on structuring your teaching environment when teaching TEFL online. I add the elements of cultural sensitivity and awareness.
A different version of the Heavenly River story. As happens in oral transmission of traditional folklore, this version follows in a slightly different way. Comparing the two stories would be an interesting lesson for TEFL students.
A children's story. A Chinese wisdom teaching about being responsible. A young couple, very much in love, fail to stay responsible in their daily duties. They are punished for their irresponsibility. It is an excellent and interesting story of how the "Milky Way" came to be in the sky.
I talk about writing for brevity, succinct and to the point. I discuss a project I just pared from over 2,000 words to just under 1,000. It came to mind afterwards: this is good advice for teaching TEFL classes and students. So, I recorded this segment with my thoughts.
A little frog's world is at the bottom of a small deep well. It is round at the top and you can see the blue sky. This is a wisdom story told Chinese children that carries an important moral teaching.
Interact with other teachers. Invite them to observe you. Ask if you can observe them. Create a mutual growth medium, a win-win situation.
I talk about two books of Chinese Myths and Legends that I purchased and use to read/record stories for my students in Taiwan.
I will produce an e-book and/or PDF copy of a small book I am publishing soon. It contains 10 tips on teaching English to Foreign Learners. I have been doing this as a volunteer for 10 years now. This year, due to pandemic, and isolating at home, I decided to become TEFL certified. I did so online.
I have daily practices that are cultivated. They are precursors to my writing and my volunteer work as a TEFL teacher. RITUALS play an important part in my day.
Is accent important in speaking English. I talk about my experiences and suggest you examine yours. My experience tells me a resounding "NO" to this question. What do you think?
The reason for language is communication, Being able to function using English is more important than using correct grammar and syntax.
An antidote that illustrates the habit I have fallen into -- speaking slowly and clearly when teaching English as a foreign language.
Nothing will enhance and anchor your TEFL practice more than learning to be patient. This is a learned skill.