Essential Language Teaching Terminology

1. Accuracy

The ability to produce correct sentences that are comprehensible. The sentence has to be correct from the point of view of the language system (grammar, vocabulary, spelling, etc.).

2. Acquisition (Verb: Acquire)

To learn a language without studying it, just by hearing and reading it, and then using it. This is usually how people learn their first language.

3. Assessment Criteria (Criterios de Evaluación)

The qualities that are judged to evaluate something. Assessment criteria for judging learners may include: accuracy of grammar, use of vocabulary, spelling and punctuation, and organisation of ideas.

4. Brainstorm (Lluvia de Ideas)

To think quickly about ideas concerning a topic. This is usually... Continue reading "Essential Language Teaching Terminology Explained" »

History

18th and 19th centuries: faculty psychology approach.
Mental discipline was considered essential for strengthening the powers of the mind.

In the nineteenth century the classical method came to be known as the grammar–translation method.

In Western schools, learning a foreign language meant learning Latin or Greek.

Main objective: Help students to read and appreciate foreign-language literature, gaining reading proficiency.

In the nineteenth century the classical method came to be known as the grammar–translation method.

In Western schools, learning a foreign language meant learning Latin or Greek.

Main objective: Help students to read and appreciate foreign-language literature, gaining reading proficiency.

The direct method of teaching,... Continue reading "Direct Method vs Grammar–Translation: History & Principles" »

Information and Communication Technology (ICT/IT)

Information and Communication Technology (ICT/IT) involves using computers to enable learners to improve information-processing skills and explore ideas. Examples include using Skype, surfing the internet, and solving problems.

Input and Output in Learning

• Input: All the material learners are exposed to. This is the knowledge someone acquires from outside by understanding it meaningfully.
• Output: What learners are able to produce using the acquired language or skills.

Input Hypothesis and Comprehensible Input

According to Stephen Krashen, we only acquire a language if we understand the input. The input cannot be beyond our current level of understanding (i+1).

This hypothesis was later modified: apart... Continue reading "Essential Terminology for Language Acquisition and Classroom Technology" »

Types of Language Games

Linguistic Games

These focus on accuracy, such as supplying the correct word, meaning, synonym, or antonym.

Communicative Games

These focus on the successful exchange of information and ideas. Correct language usage, while important, is secondary to achieving the communicative goal.

Game Categories

Movement Games

In these games, children are physically active. Movement games are generally 'rousers' and need to be closely monitored.

Card Games

Children collect, give away, exchange, sort, and count cards. These can have a specific meaning or value, or simply serve as symbols for objects or actions.

Board Games

These involve moving markers along a path. Board games can be created by children as a fun craft activity.

Dice Games

Remember... Continue reading "Effective Language Learning Games for Children" »

Conditional Sentences

First Conditional

Expresses a possible condition and its probable result.

Form: (If/Unless + Present Simple) + (will + infinitive)

Examples:

• If she trains hard, she will get fit.
• Unless she trains hard, she won't get fit.
• She will get fit if she trains hard.

Second Conditional

Expresses a hypothetical condition and its probable result.

Form: (if + Past Simple) + (would + infinitive)

Example:

• If I won the lottery, you wouldn't see me again.

Third Conditional

Expresses an unreal past condition and its probable past result.

Form: (If + Past Perfect) + (would have + past participle)

Example:

• If she had taken the drug, she would have gotten a better mark.

Vocabulary

Values

• Go without: Do without something
• Have a big heart: Be kind and generous
• Let

Unit Commitment in Power Systems

Unit commitment is the process of selecting the generating units that will supply the load of a system over a period of time at minimum cost, as well as provide a specified margin of operating reserve. The total load on the system will generally be higher during the day and lower during the night. It is not economical to run all the available units all the time. The cost of the system can be saved by turning off units when they are not needed.

Need for Unit Commitment

• Enough units will be committed to supply the system load.
• To reduce loss or fuel cost.
• By running the most economic unit, the load can be supplied by the unit operating closer to its best efficiency.

Constraints in Unit Commitment

Constraints that must... Continue reading "Power System Unit Commitment Fundamentals" »

Vygotsky: Intermental and Intramental Development

Vygotsky: Students develop cognitive skills through language and social interaction, which take place in a cultural context. The following distinctions and zones help teachers design collaborative learning experiences:

Developmental Zones

1. Intramental: What can’t I do? — individual development.
2. Zone of Proximal Development (Intermental): What can I do with help? This is the interthinking and interaction zone where collaborative learning takes place.
3. Independent performance: What I can do — abilities the learner can perform alone.

Processes in the ZPD (Intermental Zone)

In the ZPD or intermental zone, three sociocultural processes contribute to collaborative learning according to... Continue reading "Vygotsky ZPD and Collaborative Learning Strategies" »

Essential English Vocabulary List

• Accomplish (v.): To achieve or obtain a desired objective or result. (Syn. fulfill)
• Anguish (n.): Extreme suffering. (Syn. anxiety)
• Award (v.): To give someone a prize or reward. (Syn. grant)
• Beast (n.): A large, wild, and often dangerous animal. (Syn. monster, creature)
• Consider (v.): To think about something carefully. (Syn. contemplate)
• Crop (n.): Grains, fruit, or vegetables grown by farmers.
• Entrepreneur (n.): A person who starts or manages a business.
• Feature (n.): Characteristics. (v.): To give particular attention to something.
• Fireworks (n.): Safe explosives that light up the sky and make a loud noise.
• Firecrackers (n.): A small cylinder that makes a loud noise when it explodes.
• Influence (v.): To have an effect

Gear

·Terminologies, pitch diameter, diametral pitch (teeth per Inch of pitch diameter),module (metric), Wt, Wr (table 14-1)

·Principle: calc. stress due to bending and indentation of Teeth in contact, compare against strengths

·AGMA equations for bending, list of equations In fig14-17

·AGMA Equations for wear, list of equations in fig14-18

·need Lewis Form Factor Y (table14-2)

Shaft

·For fatigue analysis, need endurance limit, uncorrected from Sut (eqn 6-8), corrected by Marin factors (eqn 6-18, and factor eqns 6-19 to6-29)

·Get static stress Concentration factor Kt (normal) and Kts (shear) from geometry (figs. A- 15-x)

·Get fatigue stress concentration factor Kf and Kfs by modifying Kt with the q formula (eqn 6-32) and figs. 6-20 &6-21

Analysis... Continue reading "Machine Component Design: Analysis and Calculation Methods" »