Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Teaching & Education

Ambiguity in Context-Free Grammars

Definition of CFG Ambiguity

A Context-Free Grammar (CFG) is called ambiguous if, for at least one word in the language it generates, there are two or more possible derivations of the word that correspond to different syntax trees.

Example 1: Simple Ambiguity

Consider the language generated by the following CFG:

PROD 1: S → AB
PROD 2: A → a
PROD 3: B → b

There are two different sequences of production applications that generate the word ab:

• Sequence 1: PROD 1, PROD 2, PROD 3
• Sequence 2: PROD 1, PROD 3, PROD 2

These sequences lead to the following derivations:

S → AB → aB → ab
S → AB → Ab → ab

When the corresponding syntax trees are drawn, we observe that these two derivations are essentially the... Continue reading "Understanding Ambiguity in Context-Free Grammars" »

What is Scaffolding and How is it Implemented?

Scaffolding is the support/guidance/assistance given to a learner during the period of learning until he/she can do a task on their own.

By using scaffolding, the teacher:

1. Maintains student's interest.
2. Encourages learners to communicate.
3. Promotes activities in which all learners are encouraged to participate.

Explain What is ZPD (Vygotsky's Social Constructivism)

The period in which a learner passes from doing something with help, to doing it without guidance.

Describe CLT and its 10 Principles (Communicative Language Teaching)

It's a language approach (or method) that promotes

Dear Ms. Stone

I am writing in response to your advertisement for staff to work in Skyair. I believe that I would be a suitable candidate for the programme.

In your advert, you mentioned that you are looking for candidates who can speak English and another language. I have experience working in a hotel where I spoke English, French, and Spanish fluently. I am willing to participate in an intensive language class, and I am scheduled to attend the first class next week. Your advert also mentioned that you are seeking students with lively and friendly personalities. I enjoy meeting new people and can easily communicate with individuals of all ages.

I would be grateful if you would consider me for a position in the industry as I have a lot to contribute... Continue reading "Application for Skyair Staff Position" »

Benefits of Having Siblings

• Siblings promote physical activity, reducing the likelihood of obesity.
• Parents save money by handing down and sharing items between children.
• Being an only child can enhance imagination and sociability.

Challenges of Being an Only Child

• Only children may feel lonely without close school friends or during family crises.
• Caring for elderly parents can be more stressful for only children.

Grammar

1. • I have been helping.
   • I was trying.
   • I took.
   • They had already disappeared.
   • It is going to sell.
   • I will be attending.
   • I will have finished.
   • They are holding.
   • I will call.
2. • How long has it been since you swapped with a Canadian family?
   • When did your daughter learn to surf?
   • What have you been doing some research about?
   • Does your flight leave at 22:

Busy Work vs. Engaging Learning Activities

BUSY WORK:

Tasks JUST to keep students entertained.

Not thinking nor learning.

ENGAGING LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

Activities that get the student involved in his learning and foment cognitive learning.  We are actually learning something.

Misbehavior: Examples & How to Deal

• Examples of Misbehavior:
  • Class disruption
  • Not following the rules
  • Talk out of context
• How to Deal:
  • Give responsibility
  • Give clear instructions
  • Be firm, not rude
  • Reprimand privately
  • Give reinforcers

Classroom Layout & Seating Arrangements

Classroom layout and seating arrangements can affect learning in several ways:

• Affects interaction
• Affects eye-to-eye contact
• Affects board access
• Affects the teacher's attention to students
• Affects teacher's supervision

Common

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:

To Whom it may concern:

My Name is Julito Maraña. I have a degree in Marketing from Uniovi in 2008.
I am Writing with regards to a job position as Head of I.T. That I saw in today´s Newspaper.
As You can see in my CV, I have driving license and a B2 in English and French. Also I have my own car.
My Personal skills include being fast learner and good at multitasking.
I don’t mind working shifts or at any time.
I´m Available at any time for a job interview.
I Thank you for your time and look forward to hearing from you.
Best Regards,
Julito

Guided dictation is an effective way to assess the skill of writing. It challenges students' listening comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling abilities. The process encourages active engagement and provides immediate feedback, enhancing writing proficiency. Moreover, guided dictation promotes language acquisition by exposing learners to authentic spoken language. Collaborative learning can be assessed effectively through peer evaluation, promoting self-reflection and fairness. Formative assessment aims to inform and guide teaching and learning, while summative assessment measures overall mastery. Continuous assessment provides ongoing feedback and supports learning throughout the process. TEFL benefits from informal assessments, promoting... Continue reading "Effective Assessment Methods for Writing Skills: Guided Dictation and Collaborative Learning" »

Professional Email Writing: Business Scenarios

Scenario 1: Recruiting an IT Expert / Financial Advisor

Task: Your company needs to recruit an IT expert. Write an email to Sanford asking for their help. In your email:

• Give details of the post you need to fill.
• Provide your contact details.
• Suggest times for Sanford to call and discuss your requirements.
• Enquire about their fees.

Example Email: Recruitment Inquiry

Dear Sir or Madam,

We are a leading private financing enterprise that currently needs to recruit a new financial advisor. This will be an indefinite post with a salary of around £25,000 a year. I would be grateful if you could call me on +44 684 49682659 before 3 PM today, or you can send me an email at [email protected] so that we can discuss... Continue reading "Professional Email Writing for Business Scenarios" »

The initial challenge for novice teachers is to acquire the basic classroom skills needed to present and navigate their lessons. Teaching from this perspective is an act of performance, and for a teacher to be able to carry herself through the lesson, she has to have a repertoire of techniques and routines at her fingertips. These include routines and procedure for such things as:

• Opening the lesson
• Introducing and explaining tasks
• Setting up learning arrangements
• Checking students’ understanding
• Guiding student practice
• Monitoring students’ language use
• Making transitions from one task to another
• Ending the lesson

What we normally mean by the term teacher training refers to instruction in basic classroom skills such as these, often linked to a... Continue reading "Effective Classroom Skills for Novice Teachers" »