The last couple of days I was caught in great conference, the Educational Centre 20th anniversary conference, called New Pathways to teaching foreign languages perspectives and horizons”.
I attended workshops held by great people from all over Europe and I was surprised to see what was their teaching style. They were interactive, playing all kinds of energizers, things I got custom to in the non-formal education practices.
- Teaching children with difficulties – Lilika Couri
More and more we hear about children with problems, these days. They have to be integrated in “the real world” too. At first, it may seem hard to a teacher to work with these kids, but actually one can use the same basic principles, used with normal children, like: give basic instructions, organize board work, multi-sensory action or make learning fun.
- The more you read, the better you get – Andy Cowle
When we were asked when we read the last book, many asked back “for pleasure or for work?”. This way of thinking is wrong, one must see the benefits in every reading.
Why is it recommended to teach the children extensive reading: for the results, for acquisition of language and extra exposure to another culture.
- Multiculturalism: culture through language teaching – Lilika Couri
Language is Culture and foreign languages broadens horizons. When you are aware of others cultures, you become aware and respect your own culture, too.
Did you know that “cheers” in almost every language refers to health: будьте здоровы! (Russian), santé! (French) or στην υγειά σας (Greek).
- Teaching very young learners: teaching the whole child – Megan Cherry
When teaching young children (4-7 years old), it is important to make them understand values of life too and that it is ok to make mistakes.
- Strategies for eliciting spoken language – Alex Thorp
Communication competence = linguistic + sociolinguistic + discourse + strategic
In a classroom, it’s hard to make the learners answer and start a conversation in a foreign language. Well, there is all about conversation and not interrogation, open questions and positive feedback.
- Content and language initiate laughter, too! – Andy Cowle
I really don’t remember many things, but I do know that I laughed for an hour. Language and synonymy is funny. And, also check out the book F in exams.
That was, shortly, the main ideas from the workshops I attended. It was a great experience and I discovered that a future as a teacher may not be as gray as it seems.
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