OEKS Upgraded

Many Eyes

Richard Hawking — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:43:43 +0000

A wonderful free site. Difficult to describe what it is, or what it does ~ but if you are curious, go and take a look.

http://services.alphaworks.ibm.com/manyeyes/view/SWhH8QsOtha6ElG2QhBBQ2~

If you can think of ways to integrate it into our classes, or have already used it in some way, please share your ideas & experiences as comments to this post.

Reading Swap Shop

Deborah Bollinger — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:28:39 +0000

This zip file contains an overview of the Reading Swap Shop, facilitated by Kay Irie on June 5, 2008, along with some of the materials presented. For more information about ideas and activities in the folder, please talk with the contributors listed below.

Kay Irie
Dan Jackson
Paul Joyce
Christine Wilby
Deborah Bollinger

Download Reading Swap Shop Folder

A Discourse Approach to Teaching Reading/Writing

Deborah Bollinger — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:22:49 +0000

In his presentation on May 13, 2008 entitled, “A Discourse Approach to Teaching Reading/Writing,” Peter McDonald considered whether modern theoretical approaches to linguistic description can be effectively applied to the teaching of reading/writing at all levels.

This zip file contains Peter’s PowerPoint presentation and handout.

Download A Discourse Approach to Teaching Reading/Writing Folder

Meaning-Focused Dictation

Deborah Bollinger — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:25:42 +0000

In the LTD lunch forum on April 23rd, Jim Sick presented some variations of the traditional dictation
activity. These materials are useful both as teaching activities and as easy to create
“ongoing” assessments. The activities can easily be adapted for use at any level.

The zip file below contains Jim’s PowerPoint presentation and handout.

Download Meaning-Focused Dictation Folder

Presentation: Larsen-Freeman on Grammar and TBLT

Ted O'Neill — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 01:26:08 +0000

The JALT Teacher Education SIG has arranged to host an interesting talk in Chiba at the end of this month. Dr. Diane Larsen-Freeman shouldn’t need any introduction and this is a good chance to see her speak without having to make a trip to TESOL.

These details are re-posted from a JALT mailing list. Please contact the organizer directly for any additional information.

Who: Dr. Diane Larsen-Freeman

What: “The Nature of Grammar in a Task-based Approach to Language Teaching”

When: Monday, June 30, 5:00-6:30

Where: Kanda University of International Studies
Makuhari, Chiba Presentation Room, Building 6

Free Admission to JALT Members

RSVP to Chris Stillwell: stillwel atmark kanda dot kuis dot ac dot jp to reserve a space.

ABSTRACT:
Using a task-based approach to language teaching can be very useful, provided that we don’t simply overlook grammar nor that we treat grammar as form alone. In this presentation, Dr. Larsen-Freeman will challenge some usual ways of thinking about grammar and suggest an alternative, grammaring, that can work well in a task-based programme.

Level 1 Moodle available: Spring 2008

Ted O'Neill — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:47:30 +0000

Some of you may recall that there were two options for Moodle presented at the Retreat: An individual course for a single instructor and one group of students, and a Bulk Moodle course for everyone else who did not request a course of their own. That Bulk Moodle course has now arrived for Eigo IA and B Level 1. Look for laminated handouts around the part-time area, or download the handout here: Level 1 Moodle How To [PDF]

Diddlefinger

Richard Hawking — Sat, 31 May 2008 21:25:55 +0000

No ~ don’t call the decency police!

http://diddlefinger.com/

Is an interesting little site, which allows you to search for addresses in Japan in English.

I am sure you will find a use for it … Why not test it by looking for your own home?

Level 1, Alternative Vocabulary Worksheets

dbrewster — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 04:17:29 +0000

These worksheets are intended as a trial. If you use them in your class, please remember that they are not in addition to the vocabulary requirement as stated in the Student Notes (30 words and sentences). They are to be used instead of this requirement or to replace part of it (Eg. 15 words and five worksheets). The workload on the students should remain the same, so as not to skew the grading process.

They are in ‘Beta’ form. Please give me any comments for improvement that you have if you use them on the class.

This batch consists of 6 worksheets and a brief overview. They cover vocabulary from Unites 1, 4 and 5 in Firsthand Success.

Different Approaches to Vocabulary

Level 1, Reading: Supplementary activities, Units 1~8

dbrewster — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 04:02:55 +0000

These are some short listening activities that can be used to introduce each unit or to provide extra practice. There are three types: gap-fill, correction, and re-ordering. There are also a variety of shorter, follow-up tasks, such as scrambled words, choose a summary, and complete the sentence.

Download the zip file below.

NOTE: this is a new zip file. The previous one contained a mistake in the Unit 2 supp file (there were 11 mistakes, not 10!)

ttunit1_8pdfs

Orientation Schedule: Spring 2008

Ted O'Neill — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:13:23 +0000

Hi All,

In case you missed it in the email newsletter, here is the orientation schedule for this Saturday.

orientation-plan-spr-2008

Sandwiches from New Saffron!