Many times teachers find it a struggle to keep students paying attention in the classroom. You may have been teaching in forty-five minute periods for years, and then suddenly your school has switched to block scheduling of ninety minute periods. How can you keep students' attention? How can you prevent them from falling asleep during your lectures? Here are some helpful tips:
Strong Presence
Students will surely doze off if you aren't able to speak loudly, clearly and with a bit of personality. Avoid speaking in monotone and try to make your lectures lively. Students will be more apt to pay attention to a teacher who smiles and establishes good rapport, than one who scowls and uses fear tactics to keep students in line.
Read more here
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Creative Writing: Showing Rather Than Telling
Outcomes:
Students will be able to differentiate between "showing" and "telling" in writing.
Students will be able to add details in order to improve descriptive passages.
Time: 30 minutes
Resources: white board/markers
Presentation:
Ask students: Which of the following endings is better? Why?
A. I had finally finished the long race across the Sahara desert.
B. As I crossed the finish line, a surge of excitement went through my body. I knelt down and kissed the ground. Finally, after weeks of trudging through endless sand dunes, it was over.
Allow students to discuss the two endings. The second ending is better because it gives the reader a vivid picture of what happened. The first ending only tells. When writing, we want the reader to be able to see, taste, smell, hear and sense things just as we are. It is important to use details that invoke imagery.
Write the following sentence on the board: Today the weather was nice.
Ask students: How could we add more details to this sentence? We don't know what the weather was like at all. Was it sunny, raining, cloudy, or what?
Ask students orally to think of ways to better describe the nice weather, jot down ideas on the board.
Continue reading the detailed lesson activity here
Students will be able to differentiate between "showing" and "telling" in writing.
Students will be able to add details in order to improve descriptive passages.
Time: 30 minutes
Resources: white board/markers
Presentation:
Ask students: Which of the following endings is better? Why?
A. I had finally finished the long race across the Sahara desert.
B. As I crossed the finish line, a surge of excitement went through my body. I knelt down and kissed the ground. Finally, after weeks of trudging through endless sand dunes, it was over.
Allow students to discuss the two endings. The second ending is better because it gives the reader a vivid picture of what happened. The first ending only tells. When writing, we want the reader to be able to see, taste, smell, hear and sense things just as we are. It is important to use details that invoke imagery.
Write the following sentence on the board: Today the weather was nice.
Ask students: How could we add more details to this sentence? We don't know what the weather was like at all. Was it sunny, raining, cloudy, or what?
Ask students orally to think of ways to better describe the nice weather, jot down ideas on the board.
Continue reading the detailed lesson activity here
Making Story Outlines
Key Concepts: genre, setting, characters, plot, outline
Time: 45 minutes
Resources: 1 copy of Sample Story Outline per student OR this material on an overhead, white board & markers
Presentation: Elements of a Story Outline (15 minutes)
Genre
Ask students, "What does genre mean?" Elicit answers from students. If they are unable to define it, you can tell them it means "type."
Ask, "Can you think of different movie genres?" Write student responses on the board. Responses may include romance, horror, documentary, western, science fiction, comedy, action, adventure, musical, etc.
After writing all the responses on the board, say, "It's the same thing with books! Just like we have different types of movies, we have different types of stories. Can you think of what types of stories there are?" Again write the answers on the board and compare them to the movie categories. Inform students that whenever they want to start writing a story they should first decide the genre.
Setting
Say, "The setting answers the questions where and when." Explain that when writing a story we need to describe the place."
Continue reading lesson plan here
Time: 45 minutes
Resources: 1 copy of Sample Story Outline per student OR this material on an overhead, white board & markers
Presentation: Elements of a Story Outline (15 minutes)
Genre
Ask students, "What does genre mean?" Elicit answers from students. If they are unable to define it, you can tell them it means "type."
Ask, "Can you think of different movie genres?" Write student responses on the board. Responses may include romance, horror, documentary, western, science fiction, comedy, action, adventure, musical, etc.
After writing all the responses on the board, say, "It's the same thing with books! Just like we have different types of movies, we have different types of stories. Can you think of what types of stories there are?" Again write the answers on the board and compare them to the movie categories. Inform students that whenever they want to start writing a story they should first decide the genre.
Setting
Say, "The setting answers the questions where and when." Explain that when writing a story we need to describe the place."
Continue reading lesson plan here
Speaking Fluency Part II
Objectives:
1) Be able to recognize features of formal and informal speech
2) Analyze a natural speech sample
3) Be confident in using features of natural speech including discourse markers & fillers to sound more like a native speaker
4) Be able to share a narrative in a fluent fashion by making use of natural speech features
Time: 120 minutes
Resources:
Text for Activity 1 on handouts (one per student)
White board & markers
Speech Sample for Activity 3 on handouts (one per student)
Lesson Components
Warm Up (10 minutes)
Greet each student with a different slang greeting.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Hi. How's it goin'?
"Hey man. How're things?"
"Yo! What have you been up to?"
"Hello. What's up with you?" (pronounced "wichu")
Explain to students that we do not always say the same greeting when we meet each other. Some are more formal and others are more informal. Write the new slang expressions on the board and have students practice greeting each other.
Presentation 1: Features of Informal Spoken English (15 minutes)
Say, "When you speak fluently you are usually speaking in an informal situation. Due to this fact, it is important to be able to recognize and imitate features of informal spoken English such as the following:
Read Complete Lesson Details Here
1) Be able to recognize features of formal and informal speech
2) Analyze a natural speech sample
3) Be confident in using features of natural speech including discourse markers & fillers to sound more like a native speaker
4) Be able to share a narrative in a fluent fashion by making use of natural speech features
Time: 120 minutes
Resources:
Text for Activity 1 on handouts (one per student)
White board & markers
Speech Sample for Activity 3 on handouts (one per student)
Lesson Components
Warm Up (10 minutes)
Greet each student with a different slang greeting.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Hi. How's it goin'?
"Hey man. How're things?"
"Yo! What have you been up to?"
"Hello. What's up with you?" (pronounced "wichu")
Explain to students that we do not always say the same greeting when we meet each other. Some are more formal and others are more informal. Write the new slang expressions on the board and have students practice greeting each other.
Presentation 1: Features of Informal Spoken English (15 minutes)
Say, "When you speak fluently you are usually speaking in an informal situation. Due to this fact, it is important to be able to recognize and imitate features of informal spoken English such as the following:
Read Complete Lesson Details Here
Speaking Fluency Part I
Lesson Objectives:
1) Understand the concept of speaking fluency
2) Recognize the difference between formal and informal speech
Resources: Presentation 2.0 examples (on overhead or handouts)
Time: 50 minutes
Lesson Components:
Warm Up (5 minutes)
Say, "Today we are going to talk about fluency." Write the word fluency on the board. Ask students,
"What do you think it means to be fluent in a language?"
"What languages are you fluent in?"
"How do you know when you are fluent in a language?"
Call on students for responses. Allow them to share but do not give your answers.
Presentation- 1.0 What is Fluency? (10 minutes)
Present the following information. Make sure to read it over thoroughly before and make some notes so that you do not just read this text. Write key words on the board. Key words and phrases are underlined. Fluency is the property of a person or of system that delivers information quickly and with expertise...
Read Complete Article Here
1) Understand the concept of speaking fluency
2) Recognize the difference between formal and informal speech
Resources: Presentation 2.0 examples (on overhead or handouts)
Time: 50 minutes
Lesson Components:
Warm Up (5 minutes)
Say, "Today we are going to talk about fluency." Write the word fluency on the board. Ask students,
"What do you think it means to be fluent in a language?"
"What languages are you fluent in?"
"How do you know when you are fluent in a language?"
Call on students for responses. Allow them to share but do not give your answers.
Presentation- 1.0 What is Fluency? (10 minutes)
Present the following information. Make sure to read it over thoroughly before and make some notes so that you do not just read this text. Write key words on the board. Key words and phrases are underlined. Fluency is the property of a person or of system that delivers information quickly and with expertise...
Read Complete Article Here
Saturday, July 5, 2008
How to Teach English
Date: July 29th, July 30th, July 31st, and August 1st (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
Timing: 9am-12pm
Medium: English
Fee: 2000
Who Should Attend:
Any teacher or teacher trainer who would like to learn the basics of how to teach English. In order to take full advantage of the course, participants should be prepared to spend one hour a day on at home assignments.
Workshop Purpose:
This workshop will serve to equip participants with basic theory and practical skills for English teaching.
Outcomes:
• Learn how to teach receptive skills (reading & listening)
• Learn how to teach productive skills (speaking & writing)
• Learn about the basic parts of speech in English
• Learn about the pronunciation and basic phonology of English
Timing: 9am-12pm
Medium: English
Fee: 2000
Who Should Attend:
Any teacher or teacher trainer who would like to learn the basics of how to teach English. In order to take full advantage of the course, participants should be prepared to spend one hour a day on at home assignments.
Workshop Purpose:
This workshop will serve to equip participants with basic theory and practical skills for English teaching.
Outcomes:
• Learn how to teach receptive skills (reading & listening)
• Learn how to teach productive skills (speaking & writing)
• Learn about the basic parts of speech in English
• Learn about the pronunciation and basic phonology of English
Fun with Grammar - Verb Tenses
Date: July 24th, 25th, and 26th (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
Timing: 9am-12pm
Medium: English
Fee: 2000 rupees for BOTH Fun with Grammar courses
Who Should Attend:
Sick of your students whining about grammar? This workshop is for teachers (Grade 6 and up) who could use some inspiration in teaching verb tenses. Any English speaker who would like to participate in a complete survey of English verb tenses is also welcome to attend.
Workshop Purpose:
This workshop will serve to equip participants with an understanding of the verb tenses of English. Language teachers will be able to adjust the model lessons used in the workshop to teach grammar for students of Grade 6 and up.
Outcomes:
• Know the difference between your present, past, perfect and progressive tenses
• Be able to teach about verb tenses in a clear and creative way
• Learn how to quickly adjust textbook material to make grammar exercises more interesting for students
• Learn different games and activities such as Verb Tense Bingo or Around the World with Present Progressive that can be used to spice up your grammar lessons
Timing: 9am-12pm
Medium: English
Fee: 2000 rupees for BOTH Fun with Grammar courses
Who Should Attend:
Sick of your students whining about grammar? This workshop is for teachers (Grade 6 and up) who could use some inspiration in teaching verb tenses. Any English speaker who would like to participate in a complete survey of English verb tenses is also welcome to attend.
Workshop Purpose:
This workshop will serve to equip participants with an understanding of the verb tenses of English. Language teachers will be able to adjust the model lessons used in the workshop to teach grammar for students of Grade 6 and up.
Outcomes:
• Know the difference between your present, past, perfect and progressive tenses
• Be able to teach about verb tenses in a clear and creative way
• Learn how to quickly adjust textbook material to make grammar exercises more interesting for students
• Learn different games and activities such as Verb Tense Bingo or Around the World with Present Progressive that can be used to spice up your grammar lessons
Fun with Grammar - Parts of Speech
Date: July 21st, 22nd, and 23rd (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)
Timing: 9am-12pm
Medium: English
Fee: 2000 rupees for BOTH Fun with Grammar courses
Who Should Attend:
Sick of your students whining about grammar? This workshop is for teachers (Grade 6 and up) who could use some inspiration in teaching verb tenses. Any English speaker who would like to participate in a fun and complete survey of English parts of speech is also welcome to attend.
Workshop Purpose:
This workshop will serve to equip participants with an understanding of the parts of speech in English. Language teachers will be able to adjust the model lessons used in the workshop to teach grammar for students of Grade 6 and up.
Outcomes:
• Identify all the different parts of speech used in English
• Learn to draw basic syntax trees comparing English & Urdu
• Be able to teach about parts of speech in a clear and creative way
• Learn how to quickly adjust textbook material to make grammar exercises more interesting for students
• Learn different games and activities such as Jeopardy or Conjunction Craze Race that can be used to spice up your grammar lessons
Timing: 9am-12pm
Medium: English
Fee: 2000 rupees for BOTH Fun with Grammar courses
Who Should Attend:
Sick of your students whining about grammar? This workshop is for teachers (Grade 6 and up) who could use some inspiration in teaching verb tenses. Any English speaker who would like to participate in a fun and complete survey of English parts of speech is also welcome to attend.
Workshop Purpose:
This workshop will serve to equip participants with an understanding of the parts of speech in English. Language teachers will be able to adjust the model lessons used in the workshop to teach grammar for students of Grade 6 and up.
Outcomes:
• Identify all the different parts of speech used in English
• Learn to draw basic syntax trees comparing English & Urdu
• Be able to teach about parts of speech in a clear and creative way
• Learn how to quickly adjust textbook material to make grammar exercises more interesting for students
• Learn different games and activities such as Jeopardy or Conjunction Craze Race that can be used to spice up your grammar lessons
Monday, May 19, 2008
Creative Writing: Poetry
Date: July 10, 11, 12 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
Timing: 9:00-12:00
Medium: English
Fee: Contact Naima at Ali Institute of Education
Phone: 042-588-2912-13
Who Should Attend:
Poetry doesn’t have to be boring! This workshop is for teachers (Grade 6 and up) who want to see students enjoy reading and writing poetry. Any English speakers who want to learn more about poetry are welcome.
Workshop Purpose:
This workshop will serve to equip participants with an understanding of the basic tools used in poetic writing. Language teachers will be able to adjust the model lessons used in the workshop to teach poetry for students of Grade 6 and up.
Outcomes:
• Identify and write poetry with rhyme and rhyme scheme
• Be able to count syllables, identify rhythm and find word stress
• Identify and write poetry with similes and metaphors
• Use personification and alliteration for poetic writing
• Be able to teach a complete unit on poetry
• Learn how to assess students’ poetry
• Create your own poetry portfolio
Timing: 9:00-12:00
Medium: English
Fee: Contact Naima at Ali Institute of Education
Phone: 042-588-2912-13
Who Should Attend:
Poetry doesn’t have to be boring! This workshop is for teachers (Grade 6 and up) who want to see students enjoy reading and writing poetry. Any English speakers who want to learn more about poetry are welcome.
Workshop Purpose:
This workshop will serve to equip participants with an understanding of the basic tools used in poetic writing. Language teachers will be able to adjust the model lessons used in the workshop to teach poetry for students of Grade 6 and up.
Outcomes:
• Identify and write poetry with rhyme and rhyme scheme
• Be able to count syllables, identify rhythm and find word stress
• Identify and write poetry with similes and metaphors
• Use personification and alliteration for poetic writing
• Be able to teach a complete unit on poetry
• Learn how to assess students’ poetry
• Create your own poetry portfolio
Creative Writing: Compare & Contrast
Date: July 17th, 18th, and 19th (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
Timing: 9:00 - 12:00
Medium: English
Fee: Contact Naima at Ali Institute of Education
Phone 042-588-2912-13
Who Should Attend:
As students get ready to move onto high school and later onto university and the workplace, they must be equipped with academic and creative writing skills. This workshop is for teachers (Grade 6 and up) who want to see students write organized and interesting compare and contrast essays. Any English speakers who want to improve their creative and academic writing skills are also welcome to take part.
Workshop Purpose:
This workshop will serve to equip participants with writing and thinking skills needed for compare and contrast writing. Language teachers will be able to adjust the model lessons used in the workshop to teach compare and contrast writing skills for students of Grade 6 and up.
Outcomes:
• Learn different models of organizing compare and contrast topics
• Learn how to write interesting and concise topic sentences
• Learn how to use and teach about conjunctions
• Be able to confidently teach a complete unit on compare and contrast
• Learn how to assess student compare & contrast writing
• Create a polished piece of creative academic writing
Timing: 9:00 - 12:00
Medium: English
Fee: Contact Naima at Ali Institute of Education
Phone 042-588-2912-13
Who Should Attend:
As students get ready to move onto high school and later onto university and the workplace, they must be equipped with academic and creative writing skills. This workshop is for teachers (Grade 6 and up) who want to see students write organized and interesting compare and contrast essays. Any English speakers who want to improve their creative and academic writing skills are also welcome to take part.
Workshop Purpose:
This workshop will serve to equip participants with writing and thinking skills needed for compare and contrast writing. Language teachers will be able to adjust the model lessons used in the workshop to teach compare and contrast writing skills for students of Grade 6 and up.
Outcomes:
• Learn different models of organizing compare and contrast topics
• Learn how to write interesting and concise topic sentences
• Learn how to use and teach about conjunctions
• Be able to confidently teach a complete unit on compare and contrast
• Learn how to assess student compare & contrast writing
• Create a polished piece of creative academic writing
Creative Writing: Description
Date: July 14th, 15th, 16th (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)
Timing: 9:00-12:00
Medium: English
Fee: Contact Naima at Ali Institute of Education - 042-58-2912-13
Who Should Attend:
Are you a language teacher sick of hearing this reaction to your writing lessons? “Ugh, Miss! No, not creative writing!” This workshop is for teachers (Grade 6 and up) who want to integrate writing skills and grammar with innovative and fun lessons. Any English speakers who want to improve their creative writing skills are also welcome to take part.
Workshop Purpose:
This workshop will serve to equip participants with writing skills needed for effective and interesting descriptive writing. Language teachers will be able to adjust the model lessons used in the workshop to teach descriptive writing skills for students of Grade 6 and up.
Outcomes:
• Learn how to “show instead of tell” when writing
• Learn how to get your reader hooked with a catchy beginning
• Learn how to use and teach about adjectives in context
• Be able to confidently teach a complete unit on description
• Learn how to assess student descriptive writing
• Create a polished piece of creative writing
Timing: 9:00-12:00
Medium: English
Fee: Contact Naima at Ali Institute of Education - 042-58-2912-13
Who Should Attend:
Are you a language teacher sick of hearing this reaction to your writing lessons? “Ugh, Miss! No, not creative writing!” This workshop is for teachers (Grade 6 and up) who want to integrate writing skills and grammar with innovative and fun lessons. Any English speakers who want to improve their creative writing skills are also welcome to take part.
Workshop Purpose:
This workshop will serve to equip participants with writing skills needed for effective and interesting descriptive writing. Language teachers will be able to adjust the model lessons used in the workshop to teach descriptive writing skills for students of Grade 6 and up.
Outcomes:
• Learn how to “show instead of tell” when writing
• Learn how to get your reader hooked with a catchy beginning
• Learn how to use and teach about adjectives in context
• Be able to confidently teach a complete unit on description
• Learn how to assess student descriptive writing
• Create a polished piece of creative writing
Creative Writing: Narrative
Date: July 7th, 8th, and 9th (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)
Timing: 9:00 - 12:00
Medium: English
Fees: Contact Naima at Ali Institute of Education
Phone: 042-588-2912-13
Who Should Attend:
Ask a student to write a story and their minds suddenly go blank. This workshop is for teachers (Grade 6 and up) who want to see students write creative and interesting non-fiction and/or fiction stories. Any English speakers who want to improve their creative writing skills are also welcome to take part.
Workshop Purpose:
This workshop will serve to equip participants with writing skills needed for effective and exciting narrative writing. Language teachers will be able to adjust the model lessons used in the workshop to teach narrative writing skills for students of Grade 6 and up.
Outcomes:
• Learn how to make complete story outlines
• Learn how to revise and proofread your own work
• Learn how to use peer editing techniques in the classroom
• Learn how to use and teach about adverbs
• Be able to confidently teach a complete unit on narrative
• Learn how to assess student narrative writing
• Create a polished piece of creative writing
Timing: 9:00 - 12:00
Medium: English
Fees: Contact Naima at Ali Institute of Education
Phone: 042-588-2912-13
Who Should Attend:
Ask a student to write a story and their minds suddenly go blank. This workshop is for teachers (Grade 6 and up) who want to see students write creative and interesting non-fiction and/or fiction stories. Any English speakers who want to improve their creative writing skills are also welcome to take part.
Workshop Purpose:
This workshop will serve to equip participants with writing skills needed for effective and exciting narrative writing. Language teachers will be able to adjust the model lessons used in the workshop to teach narrative writing skills for students of Grade 6 and up.
Outcomes:
• Learn how to make complete story outlines
• Learn how to revise and proofread your own work
• Learn how to use peer editing techniques in the classroom
• Learn how to use and teach about adverbs
• Be able to confidently teach a complete unit on narrative
• Learn how to assess student narrative writing
• Create a polished piece of creative writing
Welcome
Welcome to the Teacher Training blog of Michelle Carreiro
I arrived in Lahore, Pakistan in January 2006 after completing my degree in Linguistics & Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. Little did I know that over two years later I'd still be here and involved in teacher training in Lahore.
This blog is to let teachers, language students, educators and administrators know about current workshop offerings happening in and around Lahore. As my background is in linguistics and TEFL (TESOL/TESL), my specialization is English Language Education.
Future workshops can be set up through the Ali Institute of Education.
I arrived in Lahore, Pakistan in January 2006 after completing my degree in Linguistics & Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. Little did I know that over two years later I'd still be here and involved in teacher training in Lahore.
This blog is to let teachers, language students, educators and administrators know about current workshop offerings happening in and around Lahore. As my background is in linguistics and TEFL (TESOL/TESL), my specialization is English Language Education.
Future workshops can be set up through the Ali Institute of Education.
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