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Out There News May 09 (2)
publication date: May 29, 2009
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author/source: Jason West
May '09 Newsletter (2)
Hello to everyone Out There I've been fiddling my expenses. I hope your May is brightening up and that no one has ruffled your feathers (annoyed you). This is what I have for you this week: LOT book endorsed by Steven Pinker - preview now on our website and on Scribd Testing times - what do tests really mean Out There Political Manifesto - you read it here first. Discuss. Magic Whiteboard (really it does exist!) Free Elementary MP3s and Elementary self-study lessons on Scribd The fantastic LOT book that Jaime and Jae have created for us (all about the vagaries of the English language) is now on Scribd and a preview of it is in my blog for you to read. Check it out here: http://www.languagesoutthere.com/articles/For-Want-Of-A-Better-Word-endorsed-by-Steven-Pinker More and more teachers 'teach to the test'. But are tests a good idea and what do they say about us. I have my own personal experiences and have written some of them down on my blog: http://www.languagesoutthere.com/articles/freeenglishtest In India many English teachers are low level English speakers and many classes have no English spoken in them, they simply teach to the test and use rote learning techniques with their students. Many English learners in India don't develop the ability to speak in general off topics that they have been trained in. Ask yourself, are language exams as important as being able to speak and understand and, in this day of Skype, podcasts, MP3s and email why don't we just record ourselves speaking to show we can do it to a certain level? It's a bit naughty to fiddle expenses when people trust you to do the right thing. MPs in the UK have been caught red handed by the Daily Telegraph newspaper and now British people are furious. There is a wave of people talking about applying to be MPs at the next election, all of them independent and looking for a better way to run politics and the country. Is this the end of the 'old politics'? Lots of new political parties will probably be created in the UK and some newspapers are telling people how to start their own party. I thought I would contribute to the debate by writing my own Out There Political Manifesto which I have published on my blog. Use it as a tool to debate the same issues in your classes or online with your practice partners. Maybe even write your own and send it to me. Time for a change, anyone? http://www.languagesoutthere.com/articles/Got-a-manifesto-put-it-to-the-testo Education blogger Kirsten Winkler noticed something on our website and thought it was cool. The Magic Whiteboard, which I have suggested could be a great way to help take your classes Out There into the real world. Check out the page on our site and her blog: http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/the-magic-whiteboard/ Yeah, I've been mucking around online again. Our whole SS (self-study) Elementary course with Spanish instructions is now on Scribd, check out: http://www.scribd.com/doc/15684913/Elementary-English-speaking-lesson-for-Skype-and-social-networks-Alguna-ves-ha-instrucciones-en-espanol The free MP3s for the listenings are on PodOmatic: http://languagesoutthere.podomatic.com/ Did they really say that? "If I could meet my mother and marry her, I would. I would be with my mother now, if she weren't my mother, as sick as that sounds." - Shia LaBeouf Until next time... Cheers Jason |
What they say..."Remarkable..a major contribution to what we know works." Professor Stephen Krashen. "EOT not only enriched my
vocabulary, but also made English speaking become a habit for me. I think that is my improvement." Jane, 27, student, China. "It's not just good for your English...it's good for your entire life." Arda, 19, student, Turkey. "Congrats on the great review! You have a great product." Eric Pang, President and COO, Italki.com "I love that you are using Skype as a tool here—it's so obvious that I can't believe that no one's thought of this already. Kudos to you guys for making it happen." Michael Boezi, Editorial Director, Flatworldknowledge.com "I like your program; the issues and concerns about teaching language(s), teaching materials, and teaching strategies that I obtain from your website help me in my delivery to my ESLstudents here in Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. Thank you." Anita Oblina Associate Chair Department of English Language and Literature "It is an original method to learn English, it is more interesting." Marie-Carmen, 16, student, France. "It's the right way to learn English." Marion, 35, student, Liechtenstein. "I am really enjoying teaching the lessons and the programme is great - the students seem to really get something out of being out and talking to people. We have had some really interesting classes so far!" Sheree, new EOT teacher, summer 2009 "My teacher in Russia recommended it" Dmitry, 40, student, Russia. "It was very good, especially because the lesson aren't boring like the others." Mari, 16, student, Italy. "It is very funny to learn English at this school, when you are scared to speak with people you must visit this school." Claudia, 35, student, Germany. Search our resourcesLogin |
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