Cathy's blog

More about ICT in ELT

2006-05-28T00:59:00.000-07:00

On 5/25, I tried to teach countable nouns and uncountable nouns by using a projector. Before this, I created many powerpoints. Although I had many flash cards ,I wanted to make a novel experience for students.
In class 105, unfortunately, my notebook wasn’t compatible with the school ‘s projector.
In class 101, I borrowed another notebook from the school and came to successful. But it’s spend much time to set up these machines.
Class 101 is the only superior class in the first grade. When they looked at the interesting pictures from PPT, they were excited.
Actually, teachers in the public school were confined to hardware facilities beacuse the facilities were often in short supply. There was the only one projector in this public junior high school . I just spend 10 minutes to use on that day because another teacher also wanted to use the projector.
According to research, 91% of students liked using the computer outside class and 67% of students liked using the computer inside class.
Besides, 65% of students spent up to 1 hour daily on the computer each day outside class and The top 4 uses for technology outside class were:
• E mail
• Internet
• MSN
• Microsoft office tasks
Finally, the top 3 favourite classroom activities were:
• 43% Computer mediated communication tasks (E mail, chat, bulletin board)
• 37% Internet search tasks
• 20% Grammar games (CD ROMs, online grammar and language learning websites)
But the teachers must face some dilemmas：
• Managing the technology
• Managing the pedagogy
• Managing ICT teaching materials
• Looking professional
• Who takes control of the wheel?

In a real classroom, especially in Taiwan, not only junior high school students are forced to take many exams and tests but junior high school teachers are under pressure. English is a very important subject in Taiwan and English teachers in junior high school must spend a lot of time to prepare teaching and examinatorial materials. ICT in ELT is a great way but it also depend on teacher’s willing.

Reflection on the presentation of ICT in ELT

2006-05-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

According to research, ICT gives students an opportunity to learn more flexibly, and schools a chance to utilize that flexibility to offer a more varied service to learners. Developments such as video-conferencing and the use of computers allow an unprecedented set of opportunities for learners (Kerry, 2000)
Group 7 showed us how to use Hot Potatoes、IWiLL and Yahoo Group step by step.
1. Hot Potatoes：Teachers have to create test papers by themselves. Although this is a interesting software , English teachers have to spend a lot of time on create test papers. In the other hand, the software is too complicated for me. Although Group NO.7 ‘s presentation is clearly, I didn’t use it practiced yet. Maybe I need a lot of practice.
2. IWiLL：There are many useful resources for learners and teachers in the web site. Especially, the web site provides the interaction between learners and teachers. Through the web site, teachers can catch on what students learned and provide personal guidance.
3. Yahoo Groups：It’s convenient and general tool for users. Almost my junior high school students interacted with their classmates or friends through Yahoo Groups . They can discuss about many topics through online groups. Teachers can also understand what the students thinking about if the students are willing to share .

In my teaching experiences, Yahoo Groups is the most popular tool for students. To users, it is easy to handle its functions. But I think IWiLL is suitable for teachers.

School Visit 3:Fu Hsing Junior High School

2006-05-27T03:01:00.000-07:00

In my impression , Fu Hsing Junior High School is an aristocratic school. My graduate school classmate, Mr. Chang , is the director of students affairs office in this school . He told me some characteristics about the school. For example, teachers in the school have to work hard and they taught diligently. Most of students in this school grew up in soft surroundings and sometimes it’s hard to discipline the students . To private schools, students and parents are clients. As a teacher in a private school was asked for teaching seriously than a public school teacher. If the school efficiency of private schools are better then public schools , students prefer to choose private school to learn.

On 5/16,the class I visited was seventh grade. It's a girl's class.
First of all, I observed the school provides a very good learning environment to students. There are many wood bookshelves in the classroom. Graceful lighting is a well-design facility for protect the students’ vision.
The English teacher used projector in class. She introduced main cities in the world and asked students to answer the question :“ Where have you been to ?” Students would be standing before answer the question.
When the English teacher asked them:” Who have been to New York?” I was surprised the majority of students in the class raised their hands. I think most of the students in the school came from prosperous families.
When we discussed about English teaching with English teachers in Fu Hsing , I asked a question “ Do you use any teaching aids（ex: flash cards） in English class ?” One of English teachers said they didn’t use flash cards in class because it fell behind with audiovisuals. Actually, I didn’t agree her reflection. There are not enough teaching resources in many public schools in Taiwan. For example, there isn’t projector in each class in many public junior schools. Flashcards are a really handy resource to have and can be useful at every stage of the class. They are a great way to present, practise and recycle vocabulary and when students become familiar with the activities used in class.
Anyway, Fu Hsing Junior High School is a famous school in Taipei. The design of English curriculum is maturity and their teaching environment are well-found.It is a good model of private schools.

My lovely students

2006-05-26T17:38:00.000-07:00

On 5/25,I was surprised at the performance of students in class 105.
I taught them until 5/25.They showed many interesting activities for me.

School Visit II:Zhongshan Girls' High School

2006-05-15T18:49:00.000-07:00

On 4/25,we visited Zhongshan Girls' High School. In my impression, the school is an first-string school in Taipei.
First, our group were leaded into the second grade, class “慧”. The teacher taught the students relating with “COOKING”. The teacher handed down some learning papers about “cooking skills” and “cooking styles” in class. She asked her students discussed many questions each other. Cooperate learning was adopted effectively by the teacher.

In the other hand, information technology was adopted effectively in the class. The teacher used the computer and an overhead projector
on the platform . I was amazed that there were thorough information facilities in a senior high school , it even better than university. It made an especial impression on me.

In conclusion, students in Zongshan are highly-motivated and active. The English teachers in Zongshan are seriously and cordiality. I think that good public praise of Zongshan was build up with effective teaching and learning.

School visit 1：Fanghe Junior High School(4/11)

2006-04-17T19:48:00.000-07:00


The impression of the school
The main characters of the school are cleanly restrooms. This is a junior high school of picturesque style. I think that is a scrupulous management strategy of the feminine principal.

 Reflection on Emily’s teaching(805)
When I observed Emily’s teaching, I felt she is an active teacher. When she began the class, she started with the quiz began, it took about twenty minutes, and ten minutes for peer correcting and grading. Although the peer correcting and grading save teacher ‘s time, but I think it’s an adequate way to correct the test papers by teacher. Teacher will understand the student’s faults through the correcting .
The next fifteen minutes were for reading new vocabulary and texts. I saw some students bend over their desks. I think it’s a pity because Emily didn’t use any vocabulary flash cards for vocabulary teaching. In my teaching experiences, Flash cards usually made students pay attention to me. They wouldn’t feel sleepy.
In conclusion, Emily is a young teacher with dynamically . She was glad to share her interesting experiences with her class. She got friendly with her class!

Finally, I think observations on the English teaching needs over a long period of time. Even we become a formal English teacher, we must learn from other English teachers .

Reflection on our presentation(how to teach speaking)

2006-04-17T05:57:00.000-07:00

On 3/28, our group has demonstrated how to teach speaking. Although I had teaching experiences for 5 years, I felt nervous on that day.
When we think about speaking, we mean when the students use English at their command to perform some kind of oral task.. The important thing is that there should be
a task to complete and that the students should want to complete it. The reasons why it is a good idea to give students speaking tasks which provoke them to use English at their command are mainly three（Carol’s presentation）:
1) Rehearsal: when students have free discussions or conversations inside the classroom they have a chance to rehearse having discussions or conversations outside the classroom.
2) Feedback: engagement in a speaking task which demands for the use of all and any
language at the students' command provides feedback for both teacher and students.
3) Engagement: completing a speaking task can be really motivating and give real
satisfaction. Many speaking tasks (role-play, discussions, debate, problem-solving etc.) are intrinsically enjoyable in themselves and if planned carefully (by the teacher) and completed successfully (by the students) contribute to increasing their self-esteem.
On my part, I found three web sites for English learners and teachers. I worried about time’s control ,so my presentation seems too quickly. I didn’t mean to it!^_^
Finally, I want to say that I really appreciate my group members and Alice. Alice gave us many feedbacks and good ideas. We had a lovely cooperation experience

How to teach listening

2006-04-01T23:06:00.000-08:00

On 3/21,the third group presented "how to teach listening". They showed us a variety of interesting activities and we had a good time.Especially, the role play part of the activities is a good way for students to practice daily concersation and listening.I think successful listening skills are acquired over time and with lots of practice.It's frustrating for teachers because there are no rules as in grammar teaching. I have some comments about "how to teach or learning listening".
Students need to apply the same approach to listening skills. Encourage them to get a film, or listen to an English radio station, but not to watch an entire film or listen for two hours. Students should often listen, but they should listen for short periods - five to ten minutes. This should happen four or five times a week. Even if they don't understand anything, five to ten minutes is a minor investement. However, for this strategy to work, students must not expect improved understanding too quickly. The brain is capable of amazing things if given time, students must have the patience to wait for results. If a student continues this exercise over two to three months their listening comprehension skills will greatly improve.

About teaching grammar

2006-03-20T18:16:00.000-08:00

On 3/14,the group 2 showed us "How to teach grammar".
I think grammar is central to the teaching and learning of English. It is also one of the more difficult aspects of English to teach well.

Many people, including English teachers, hear the word "grammar" and think of a fixed set of word forms and rules of usage. They associate "good" grammar with the prestige forms of the language, such as those used in writing and in formal oral presentations, and "bad" or "no" grammar with the language used in everyday conversation or used by speakers of nonprestige forms.

An important part of grammar instruction is providing examples.Use the examples as teaching tools. Focus examples on a particular theme or topic so that students have more contact with specific information and vocabulary.

How to teach vocabulary

2006-03-13T04:38:00.000-08:00

On 3/7,the first group showed us "how to teach vocabulary.”
Vocabulary instruction is one of the most misunderstood aspects of language learning and English teaching. Research shows that most teachers deal with vocabulary in a haphazard and rather unprincipled way, and most teachers leave the selection of vocabulary to the coursebook.
In my opinion,as an English teacher has to be focused on:
1.building the learner's 'start up' or initial vocabulary
2.developing the learner's understanding of what learning words means
3.showing the learner how to learn the words most effectively.
Finally,I think teachers should teach vocabulary learning strategies, such as 'how to use a dictionary well'; 'how to learn words systematically'; 'how to keep vocabulary notebooks' and so on.

Teaching Philosophy

2006-03-07T03:37:00.000-08:00

As a teacher of English,I love opening minds, not to fill students with my ideas about what texts mean or how they should be read, but to encourage students to devise their own opinions and ideas. In the future, I will try to awaken minds by encouraging discussion, questions, performance, imagination, and, most importantly, good reading and writing skills. To help my students, I will prepare an array of writing assignments for them to practice. Journals or English newpapers provide and opportunity for them to write and explore their ideas with credit attached, but no numerical grade assigned. In addition to writing, I will encourage a lot of discussion in my classes, because I think the sharing of ideas is important. I would like my students to know that my job is to help them learn, but that I also enjoy learning from them. Outside of the classroom, I will glad to devote my time to one-on-one conferencing (either face-to-face or electronically).