Webskills so far

A reflection

How fast have 3 and a half weeks passed by. In this time I have had the chance to read into technology to improve our language teaching. 

There´s the reading on CALL which still fascinates me. I am looking forward to move on to the actual use of it. The ABCD method of writing objectives has become handy to plan our classes better, taking into account all the aspects of writing good objectives.

As I continue reading, I realize that as I student I would look for ways to improve my own language mastery using what was at hand. I would watch cable tv- later with closed captioning. Then I came across VOA so I would tune in almost every day. As time move on, so would my techniques on improving my English. 

Nowadays, I keep searching new and different ways to get my dose of English. I came in contact with podcast in Itunes. Being part of this e-course moved me to look for VOA in Itunes. What a nice surprise was it when I found it. So I added to my list of podcast. This time, though more than helping my English I added it to my students.

I used VOA back In the day (in shortwave) I will use it with my students, by listening to the podcast. In fact I have already emailed a segment in Special English called words and their stories. I am yet to hear from my students since we´re enjoying our spring break. I hope they like it and ask for more. This time around I emailed it, next time I hope to use it in class so we can discuss it. I will tell my students that VOA helped me improve my English twenty or so years ago. It´ll do wonders with their English being so easy to get and all.

I didn´t know there was such a thing as CALL (Computer-assisted language learning) but I guess I kind of knew something like that existed since long ago our lives have been flipped over by the world of computers.  

Internet is more than email or chatting or gaming, especially if you are a language teacher. Since I retook my ESL courses I have added a little bit of technology to enlighten my classes. How appropriate this e course has been because it has nailed it in the head as far as technology is concerned. I am so pleased to be part of this course on webskills. I recommended it highly.

 

Reading L2 theories

  This week I began reading on theories on L2 acquisition. This reading material brought back memories when I read a lot on the subject especially from Stephen krashen. The relevance of such reading is that I applied it as a student then and as a teacher now.
  As a requiment to get my B.A. I had to write a paper (in 1998). Guess what was my topic? None other than Second Language acquisition and how adults can indeed get native like pronunciation. As an adult learner of a second and third language I subjected myself to prove my points.
  I happened to learned English after 18 years of age which makes it difficult for adults to get native like pronuciation as the brain has already been lateralized. According to Krahen, althought it´s almost impossible to get native like pronuctiation at this stage, the adult enjoys gaining more insight on language learning and usage. The only advantage kids seem to have by learning a language at an early age, is pronunciation.
  My English sounds pretty good regarless of the contrains explained above. I think my mastery of the English Language is based upon my desire and my necessity to Speak it. All this done in an non English enviroment I may add - When I was a student.
As a teacher, I speak English with my bosses, coworkers who include native like speakers and the student population who puts some pressure on you (they catch you if you make a little slip). so I am always improving my English competence which seems never to end. The more you read the more you come up with new words and expressions.
this is what´s been going on as far as reading for my E course is concerned. Later I´ll blog about my third language which is French.

Language arts on the net

Hello!
   Just a few years back, we, in our school, had a hardcover book for Reading. Back then, we liked it. And in fact it was useful but our students´ need grew so the school administration gave the green light to improve our textbooks. It was decided that every year a new textbook was going to be implemented. The first year, it was the turn for Reading.  This year it´s for math.

   I want to talk about Reading Street by Pearson, the book we´re presently using. This is the first year we have had it. Let me tell you that is wonderful. I mean, it covers not only reading but other subjects as well. Subject such as science and social studies. All the teachers grades k- 6 are very happy to have chosen this textbook.

   Today we´ll have a Pearson Trainer come over to our school and teach us how to use Reading Street in the internet. We are looking forward to introducing Reading Street online to the school community and I am sure we´ll soon be reaping success by means of this new way of studying Reading and Language Arts.http://pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PSZ16e&PMDbSiteId=2781&PMDbSolutionId=6724&PMDbSubSolutionId=&PMDbCategoryId=3289&PMDbSubCategoryId=&PMDbSubjectAreaId=&PMDbProgramId=69481

Reading from e-books

Good morning all,

Today I did a lot of reading from the ebook I am currently reading. It´s called The Laws of Success in Sixteen Lesson by Napoleon Hill. A classic book from 1928.

You may wonder, what does this book have to do with my e course? well, nothing directly. But this is the kind of reading I have done and keep doing for quite some time. Not all my reading has to be about teaching, you know.

One thing, though, on a day like today, I read aloud to myself to muster some energy within me and of course to improve my English pronunciation. Being a non native speaker and learning English right after the second language threshold which is by the age of 18, I take it upon myself to speak English as native like as possible. Reading aloud helps me in this regard.

For those interested in second language adquisition read Stephen krashen´s work on the suject. http://www.sdkrashen.com/SL_Acquisition_and_Learning/index.html

Computer Education

I am an avid user of technology. Everyday, like most people nowadays, I lean on my laptop to do a lot of my work. Not only I need it for myself, but now I´m teaching how to use it. That is, I have become a computer teacher. A task that I have grasped with all my mighty.
However, knowing about it is one thing, conveying such knowledge is another thing. Eventhough the curriculum mapping has been provided to me, I still need certain strategeties and skills to be able to shine as a Computer Science teacher. This is a cry for help!!!

Back to school

Hello! I´m back to school, an interactive school that is. I have enrolled in an E-course which is provided by the university of Oregon. I´m really looking forward to Learning new things for my work. I just happened to be named the Computer Teacher for K-6. so this course absolutely comes in handy. The way I see it, I am going to keep myself updated as far as technology is concerned. I have always had an interest towards this field. But because for being a traditional teacher, I have not been able to expand my knowledege. however, A few months back I took a workshop on technology and now I am taking this E-course. I am on my way to becoming a more knowledge person, computer wise. 

Week 0 week 1

All of a sudden I am pretty busy. first I was appointed Computer Teacher for K-6 grades. today was my first day. I also started my e-course with UO.
I had to start at 6:15 am today April 4, 2011 to be able to use the school´s internet since my home internet connection was down over the weekend. I read my emails and I started answering the survey. At 7: 30 am our school day began with a monday morning assembly. Then I participated in the special teachers´ meeting where I was asked to take notes. Then I began my computer classes. It´s 2: 35 pm. The school day is almost over. But I still have to teach an ESL class in a bank in the evening.
As you can see I´m pretty busy, trying to catch up with week o and 1.