Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Teacher training

How to Teach the Four Skills: Reading, Speaking, Writing, and Listening

a) How to Teach ReadingActually there are three stages in teaching reading:

• Pre-reading: In this stage, the teacher starts by contextualizing the topic of the reading process by using proverbs, quotes, pictures, videos, or short discussions, etc. Then, move to explain vocabulary items that students may encounter in the text. After that, he asks for their predictions about the topic of the text they are going to read.
• While-reading: Teacher gives the text to students and asks them to read it silently and check their predictions (this process called skimming). Then the teacher asks them to read again to answer the comprehension questions (this process called scanning).
• Post-reading:

Context

Context is understood as the extralinguistic circumstances that influence the linguistic form of an utterance. It is formed by all the ethnographic knowledge that is necessary to interpret the statement. It is something dynamic, and those who participate in a communicative exchange have to build it.

Dimensions

• Location
• Nonverbal behavior
• Language as context
• Extra-situational context

Levels

• Spatio-temporal: The environment in which the communication takes place.
• Situational: What happens around the speakers as they converse is also influential.
• Sociocultural: The social characteristics of the participants that determine the form and interpretation of a message.
• Cognitive: General knowledge of the world, as well as the intentions of a participant.

Traditional prescriptive grammar
Correct usage: the do¡¦s and don¡¦ts/ Dogmatic
Example: Use ¡¥must¡¦ for internal obligation, and ¡¥have to¡¦ for external obligation
It is often inaccurate and subjective, and tends to ignore actual usage
It ignores the fact that a living language is constantly on the move.
It usually follows a decontextualized, rote memorization, worksheet-driven approach void of real-life application.

More on traditional grammar
Emphasis on correctness
Based on the principles which rule Latin
Preeminence of written form over oral form
Difference between what people actually do with L and what the should do.
Objetive: to preserve proper language
Restricted mainly to SYNTAX

Structuralist applied

Unit 7: Simple Tenses

Topic Vocabulary

• All-boys school: School for boys
• All-girls school: School for girls
• Cheat: To cheat on a test
• Compulsory: Obligatory
• Fail: To fail a test
• Grade: Level
• Mark: Score
• Mixed school: Co-educational school

Perfect Tenses

IKEA Customer Service: Complaint Handling

A: Hello, IKEA, Mary Black speaking. How may I help you?

B: Hello, this is Carlos Cotta from Notary's Office. I'm afraid I have a serious complaint. I would like to speak with Mr. X, please.

A: Okay, I will put him through. Wait a moment, please.

C: Hello, Mr. X speaking. How can I help you, Mr. Cotta?

B: Hello, Mr. X! I ordered some furniture and I have received the wrong furniture.

C: I apologize most sincerely, Mr. Cotta. Please give me the order details, and we'll replace the correct furniture within 24 hours. We will also send you a discount for future orders.

B: Okay, thanks. I hope this won't happen again.

C: I'll be in touch with you, Mr. Cotta, in the next few hours to confirm that everything is all...

Should Teachers Worry if VYL Students Understand but Speak Little English?

No. If students are very young learners (VYLs), limited speaking is normal. It's a phase in language acquisition. Teachers can encourage speaking as students get older.

Why Are Top-Down Listening Skills Difficult for VYLs?

Top-down listening skills are harder to develop because VYLs typically learn English through a bottom-up approach (lexical recognition). They don't spontaneously use mental schemata and prediction skills due to limited experience and knowledge.

Features of Effective Teacher Talk with VYLs

• Eliciting, recasting, repeating
• Effective voice modulation: chunking, intonation, stress
• Grading language appropriately
• Engaging voice
• Using supporting gestures, visuals,

Pharos

Definition:

An island near Alexandria. On the island was a lighthouse.

Location in texts:

Homer’s Odyssey

Significance/theme:

The lighthouse was a great ancient wonder. It shows the large significance and impact that Alexandria had. It also demonstrates the power of Ptolemy.

Callimachus of Cyrene (c. 310-240 BCE)

Definition:

Callimachus was a famous poet and librarian in Alexandria.

Location in texts:

Callimachus’ Pinakes

Significance/theme:

He was responsible for producing a bibliographic survey based upon the contents of the Library. His work provided the foundation for later work on the history of Greek literature.

Nicander of Colophon (2nd c. BCE)

Definition:

Greek poet, physician, and librarian.

Location in texts:

Nicander’s Theriaka and Alexipharmaka

Significance/

Qualities of a Good Business Letter:

1. Clarity: Clear thinking and simple expression are the two important virtues of effective writing. A good letter should show its idea directly and clearly. Each sentence should be as simple as possible. The reader should have no difficulty in understanding what the writer means to say.
2. Conciseness: Transmission of maximum information by using minimum words should be the aim of letter-writing. Unnecessary details and roundabout expressions should be avoided. People are busy and they receive a number of letters daily.
3. Completeness: The letter should contain all the essential points a reader is expected to know. For example, a sales letter should include the description of the goods, price, quality, how and where

Formal Job Application Email

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing in connection with the job advertisement for a [Job Title] published in [Source] on [Date]. I would like to apply for this position.

I believe that my qualifications in [Field], together with the experience I acquired over [Duration] at [Company Name], make me a suitable candidate for the post.

I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you personally to discuss my qualifications and experience further.

I have enclosed an up-to-date curriculum vitae, a recent photo, and contact details for my references. I am available should you require any further information regarding my application.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

[Your...