Advanced Use of English Vocabulary, Structures and Usages : Dates

 

Dates are like points in time but don't follow the same rule, and in effect are names for those points. This one-hour single-topic session reviews the names and structures of dates, and other periods of time, and related usages and of course the old prepositional bugbears. If time allows, we may also include a problem clinic.

Advanced Use of English Vocabulary, Structures and Usages : Times

 

Talking of time and talking about time can be more tricky than just telling the time, and while English and Spanish have similar world views when it comes to time, they also have some points (and periods) of conflict.

This one-hour single-topic session reviews names for time(s), challenges with point in / period of, analogue v digital and the time v tense conundrum. If time allows (see what we did there?), we may also include a problem clinic.

Looking for a new position? We can help

 

Whether you are looking for a new post or a promotion, teaching or leadership, we can help.

Effective Reading Checks

 

Class-time is so limited that doing some things beforehand can exponentially improve lesson effectiveness. Two related activities are receptive practice and pre-reading; if a student has already read a text, class work can take advantage of this.

When assigning pre-reading, how can a teacher be assured that it has actually been done? This session reviews eight quick-and-easy, plug-and-play, teacher-friendly reading checks, each of which incorporate Reading Comprehension, Use of English and Speaking. Participants will receive a ready-to-use Lower Primary / Middle School lesson!

Foreign, Second or First - the difference matters

Recently a leading language institute in Chile advertised that they were seeking an ESL (E2L) teacher for an ESL (E2L) programme. Of course they were not; they were looking for an EFL teacher for an EFL programme. The evidence? Classes were one hour long, held twice a week which in an English-speaking country would be insufficient for E2L, but in an hispano-hablante country, impossible.

This provokes two questions. Does the institute, and do teachers and do schools, know the difference between Second and Foreign? Secondly, what is the difference between Second, Foreign (and by extension, First)?

TKT Core and TKT - Young Learners Examination Preparation

 

Cambridge English ("CEE") offers two certification tracks, one for English Language and one for English Teaching. CEE's teaching certification has three levels, and the entry level is known as TKT or the Teaching Knowledge Test which has six modules, the three "TKT Core" modules and three "TKT specialist" modules. These two programmes will prepare you for TKT Core and/or TKT - Young Learners.

Assessment or Evaluation - same difference?

The terms "assessment" and "evaluation" are often used interchangeably and may be viewed as synoynms. Techniques, tasks and activities may be the same. The wider community generally sees no difference. However, significant differences exist in the purpose(s) of any such instrument and so having distinct terms is valuable. This session reviews "assessment" and "evaluation" as representing two essential yet refquently misunderstood and misapplied concepts.

March 2022

Click on the event title(s) below for more information. Leave your questions or comments below, or contact us for registration information. The events below are open group sessions from our Seminars, Advanced Use of English and Professional Conversation programmes; contact us to ask about scheduling open on demand or closed private programmes. 

This page is updated twice a week so please check back, or join the emailing list for event announcements.

February 2022

Click on the event title(s) below for more information. Leave your questions or comments below, or contact us for registration information. The events below are open group sessions from our Seminars, Advanced Use of English and Professional Conversation programmes; contact us to ask about scheduling open on demand or closed private programmes. 

This page is updated twice a week so please check back, or join the emailing list for event announcements. If you have a suggestion or request for an event, please let us know.

Plug-and-play Reading Comprehension : Volcanoes

Not only are volcanoes in the news, but they are a frequent topic in G4 and they provide an excellent base for a Science / Social Studies / Art / Music and of course Language unit. This plug-and-play Reading and Vocabulary lesson is based on an authentic G4 text and can be used as-is, or as a model for similar lessons on other topics in EFL and E2L / bilingual programmes.