[ELTWeekly Volume 7, Issue 19 | November 2, 2015 | ISSN 0975-3036] In conversation, we often move from general statements to more detailed information. “Have you seen Frozen?” “Yeah –…
[ELTWeekly Volume 7, Issue 19 | November 2, 2015 | ISSN 0975-3036]
The use of English as an international lingua franca means learners will be exposed to a wide variety of accents, both native and non-native. How can teachers prepare them to cope with such diversity? This workshop features practical tasks, informed by relevant theory, which participants could try out in their own classrooms.
Laura is ELT research manager at Cambridge University Press, and a former teacher/teacher trainer with a BA in Linguistics and an MA in ELT & Applied Linguistics. She is particularly interested in the use of English as a lingua franca, teaching pronunciation and investigating the practical applications of linguistic research. (more…)
[ELTWeekly Volume 7, Issue 19 | November 2, 2015 | ISSN 0975-3036]
Teaching and learning can be fun and energising. However, many teachers and students nowadays feel pressurised, stressed and de-motivated. Teachers all over the world seem to be faced with increasingly unrealistic expectations, scarce resources, widely diverse student needs as well as the continuing challenge not to be replaced by new technologies. Surveys suggest that students also have increased levels of anxiety and stress around school and future prospects.
We need, therefore, to be looking at the issue of teacher and student well-being. How can we reduce the feelings of stress and anxiety in our classrooms? We need to begin by recognising and acknowledging them. Suppressing and denying feelings of stress will often lead to physical and emotional burnout. Stressed teachers are not effective. It is important to focus on conscious coping strategies for managing our own well-being so that we can best support our students. (more…)