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

English Vocabulary and Grammar Reference

Relationships Vocabulary

• Acquaintance: Conegut
• (Best / Close) Friend: Friend
• Boss: Jefe
• Colleague: Col·lega
• Classmate: Company de classe
• Flatmate: Company de pis
• Neighbour: Veí
• Parent: Pares
• Step-sister / Step-brother: Germanastra
• Relative: Parent/Familiar
• (Ex-) Girlfriend: Ex-novia

Phrasal Verbs:

• Get together: Juntar-se
• Get on well: Portar-se bé
• Get in touch: Estar en contacte

Appearance and Personality Descriptors

Appearance

• Auburn: Castany (referring to hair color)
• Casual: Informal
• Clean-shaven: Ben afeitat
• Good-looking: Guapo
• Medium build: Estatura mitjana
• Medium height: Constitució mitjana
• Scruffy: Mal vestit
• Shoulder-length (hair): Cabells per l’espalla
• Skinny: Molt prim
• Slim: Prim
• Smart: Elegant
• Spiky (hair): Cabells

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" »

Advanced English Vocabulary: Character and Emotion

Adjectives Describing Character Traits

• Adventurous
• Talented
• Sensible (Sensato)
• Sensitive (Sensible)
• Brave (Valiente)
• Determined
• Reliable (De confianza)
• Organised
• Independent
• Stubborn (Obstinado, terco)
• Ambitious
• Confident
• Practical (Práctico, eficaz)
• Generous
• Mean (Egoísta)
• Responsible
• Aggressive
• Optimistic
• Pessimistic

Additional Character Adjectives

(Often used to describe negative or strong traits)

Violent, Arrogant, Rude, Loud (Ruidoso), Selfish, Aggressive, Stupid, Hard-working, Loyal (Leal), Enthusiastic.

Adjectives Describing Feelings and Emotions

• Relaxed
• Nervous
• Pleased (Satisfecho)
• Embarrassed
• Angry
• Annoyed (Disgustado)
• Fed up (Harto)
• Disappointed
• Stressed
• Calm
• Upset (Trastornado/acongojado)
• Scared (Asustado)
• Satisfied
• Confused
• Shocked
• Glad
• Concerned
• Depressed

Essential

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" »

Passionate, ambitious, loyal, optimistic, loyal, ambitious, television, influential, pessimistic.

At risk, creature, endangered, extinct, hunt, protected, rare, species, environment, habitat natural survive, dangerous, attack, vulnerable, fight, scared, danger, provided, tiger, mattress, hut, forest, wounded, shot, killed, boots, endangered, extinct, protected, desert, mountain, harmless, pepper spray, punch, seal, vertical, panic, unless, provided, survive, careful, drag, impressive, work out, record, take revenge, killed, provided, wounded.

Vocab- Affect, as a result, cause, effect, influence, is caused by, lead, result.

Arduous, strict, demanding, rigorous, testing, tricky, punishing, tough, gruelling, straightforward, awkward, struggle, stretch,... Continue reading "Vocabulary and Grammar Practice for English Learners" »

Over 25 years, folk-rock icons Indigo Girls — Amy Ray and Emily Saliers — have not only released more than a dozen albums, they have also displayed a deep dedication to social, political, and environmental issues, mixing music and activism in equal parts.

In 1993, they co-founded Honor the Earth, the Native American support and awareness group, along with activist Winona LaDuke. Two decades on, they are still actively involved with that cause and others, from immigration reform to campaigning against the death penalty. On the eve of the release of One Lost Day, their first studio album in four years — and their performance at TEDWomen on Wednesday night — we spoke to Ray about how they speak up for what they believe in (without getting... Continue reading "Indigo Girls: Music, Activism, and Social Change" »

**Relationship Building**

**Let's Work**

**I. Decide if the following statements are True or False according to the text.**

1. True. You need good interpersonal skills to be a competent relationship builder.
2. True. Relationship building puts the client's needs first.
3. True. A good relationship builder has a network of mediators for when conflicts arise.
4. False. Information about your clients can be found within your company.
5. False. Only the feedback from your line manager is important.
6. False. Idle chat is not a good way to get to know your colleagues.

**II. Match the headings to the seven steps to becoming an effective relationship builder.**

A) 5 Network of contacts
B) 2 Review
C) 1 Plan
D) 4 Weekly goal
E) 6 Get feedback
F) 7 Small talk
G) 3 Teamwork

**III. In

Communicative Competence in English

Acquisition, Learning, and Teaching Methods

Communicative competence is the main objective in English language learning. It involves developing several subcompetences:

1. Linguistic: Understanding and using vocabulary, grammar, and syntax.
2. Strategic: Using techniques to overcome language gaps and modify text for audience and purpose. Acquiring conversational fluency.
3. Socio-linguistic: Having knowledge of the social rules of language, non-verbal behaviors, and cultural references.
4. Discourse: Understanding how ideas are connected through patterns of organization, cohesive, and transitional devices.

Block of Contents

1. Oral texts comprehension (Listening).
2. Oral texts production, expression, and interaction (Speaking).
3. Written

Samuel Johnson (1755): Dictionary of the English Language

Standardization of meaning of words and English spelling

Robert Lowth (1772): Short Introduction to English Grammar

Prescribed what correct grammar should be, based on Latin knowledge

Karl Ploetz: Grammar Translation Method

Learning language using example sentences, two grammar rules, and a list of vocabulary. Translation is emphasized.

Berlitz Method: Direct Method

Learning focuses on oral language, listening, and speaking. Imitation of native speakers is encouraged. Proficient teachers are required, and L1 is not used in classes.

Michael West: Reading Method

Learning through reading. Tests focus on frequent words, and complexity is decreased in tests.

Army Method (WWII): Audiolingualism

Based... Continue reading "A Comprehensive History of Language Learning Theories and Methods" »