Sorry, been busy!
Here’s some latest news with a Pearson-heavy start!
Pearson to phase out print textbooks
The big news announced yesterday (BBC article here).
In the pipeline…
Pearson are working on the higher levels (Int+) of Startup. Promo vid:
Expect some puns in the Level 8 book. They’ve signed off on my decision to name a librarian ‘Paige Turner’.
I recently took the iTDi course on Evaluating Digital Materials, delivered by Pete Sharma.
If you can’t be bothered with the whole review – here’s a summary in, er… wait… 17 words:
Excellent input, great delivery, very active forum, useful take-home resources, real value for money, well worth it!
Overview
The course lasts four weeks. Each week there is a weekend webinar with Pete, and then various follow-up activities such as reading and exploratory tasks related to digital tools. Most tasks involve sharing reflections in the course forum which, I have to say, was really active and thoughts were interesting to read.
In Week 1, Pete orientated us to the topic of Computer Assisted Language Learning with an informative webinar and follow-up resources. The main task after input was for us to choose the tool we were interested in evaluating. With so many participants on the course it meant that the tools selected were extremely varied, and some very topical for my context (such as Kahoot). I chose to evaluate Genially after coming across this on Owain Llewelyn’s blog (ELT Sustainable). (more…)
Some news from this month…
New materials
Nice post on LinkedIn the other day from Kate Foufouti. A new resource from Macmillan.
Macmillan have also been promoting a new Pre-primary series called Mimi’s Wheel – series editor is Carol Read I think. Follow that link for samples (note, the Mimi puppet looks a bit freaky).
Lexical Lab have been blogging again about Outcomes Beginner, explaining a bit about the syllabus and approach. It’s interesting to hear how the writers tried to recycle vocabulary from earlier units throughout the book – a rarity in coursebooks.
Haven’t seen many other promo posts for materials this month tbh…
Update on Peachey Publications
I’m sure many of us have been on the mailing list for Peachey Publications, the new publishing company from Nik Peachey (mentioned in an earlier update). Well, it’s officially happened. You can have your work published through Nik, getting some support with editing and promotion, with profits shared proportionately. Nik has decided to make this a subscription service for writers ($35 a month). That rules me out – the last e-book I wrote hasn’t made much more than that in total!
Sharing my recent MA dissertation for general interest. I say ‘general interest’, but I imagine the interest will be extremely specific! Here’s the title:
Pronunciation materials in an A2/B1 level British Council Adult General English course in Thailand – do they meet the needs of the learners?
The main reason I chose this topic is because it is applicable to my context and my own learners. I wanted to analyse our current resources and affect some kind of change, if any was needed. Alas, it has had very little impact.
In hindsight, I really regret choosing this topic. I enjoyed a lot of the reading, and the research has informed my own practice. However, I knew there were institutional constraints from the start. The sample size is so limited, it serves only to have an impact on my immediate context and nothing beyond that really. Plus, if I’m honest, there are a billion other topics in ELT I’m more interested in!
I don’t want to completely put you off, but the literature review is sparse, there are assumptions made about the value of the Lingua Franca Core, and some of the questioning methods are leading. Still, ya know, I’m accountable for that – my tutor was great and really pulled this study into line. Alan Pulverness, kudos!
If you find it useful, it’s there!
I don’t often win things – just like the football team I support! However, I was lucky enough to be the Onestopenglish Lesson Share winner for February. Woohoo! Check out the competition here.
What was the lesson?
Resources based on my own short story called ‘Instant Coffee’. The resources should last around 2.5 hours of class time. They follow a text-driven approach (see my lesson here). B2 Level +.
The short story in 10 words…
Popular social media foodographer gets ‘eye camera implant’. It malfunctions.
I was really chuffed that Onestopenglish chose to edit and share my lesson. Some reasons why… (more…)
April update has got a bit long, sorry. It’s mainly because of IATEFL and ELTONS.
IATEFL talks
There were some interesting talks related to materials writing. Equality, diversity and inclusion was certainly a theme.
Two interesting points from John Gray’s talk, Gender and sexuality in ELT…
I took the MA module in Technology-assisted Language Learning through NILE back in 2017. Here are some thoughts on the course (views my own).
Overview
The course “covers the uses of technology in language education and includes theoretical perspectives, practical applications and opportunities for hands-on practical experience.”
Module content included the following…
EFL teacher in the KSA. A blog about teaching, learning, and personal reflections.
Asking big and small questions in ELT
Environment English Lessons for Special Days
For learners of English who understand that language is not just grammar. Idioms, phrasal verbs, vocabulary, and more besides, help strengthen language skills.
Reading list summaries to help people prepare for the Cambridge Delta exam
“The mind is like a sponge, soaking up endless drops of knowledge." - Robert M. Hensel
Reflective notes, practical tips, and sample lesson plans
A teacher's journey away from safe harbor
is currently emerging
A Community of Practice: Teaching English and Other Languages, CALL, Educational Technology, Advocacy, Immigrant Issues, Professional Organizations, Culture, Teacher Training, Assessment, Family Outreach, Assessment, Standards, Legal Issues, and Professional Development
A Place for Language Teachers
