Learning English needs a lot of stamina!
ELTMentor News
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In this edition:
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A Message from Berni:
The summer means different things to different English teachers. For some it is a time to relax after a hard year of teaching. For others it is the busiest time of the year and one which needs a lot of energy and focus not to mention hours – to see us through the leaner times of winter!
I’ve had experience of both of these scenarios but have mostly been somewhere in the middle with a mix of year-round and summer work.
I hope that for you all there will be a chance to have a break somewhere along the line, re-charge batteries and then be energised and ready to start again in the new term or on the new project.
My article in this newsletter is about learning stamina. Our students do require a certain amount of stamina and we really need it too. Yesterday I was following a webinar for my own learning and I kept feeling more and more sleepy but was determined to get to the end – it took some pushing to get me there bit I managed it and felt a great deal of satisfaction!! I think we need to show all our students that they can get where they want to if they keep going and have our support.
So for all of us to get re-charged and because I am aware that many of you may be taking holidays, there are no sessions in August. I will continue with newsletters and catch up with the forum.
In September I will tell you all about my adventures in Switzerland and we’ll meet again to discuss writing. This is a subject near to my heart at the moment as I work on writing a lot with students and am working on new techniques to help them get higher scores in their writing tests.
What’s happening next?
Don’t forget to check out the new schedule:
http://www.gapfillers.co.uk/?atk=7229
Our next session will be this Monday – July 30th. I’ll be looking at Pronunciation and addressing what and how!
You should all have received an invitation but here is the link to the virtual classroom just in case.
http://www.wiziq.com/online-class/916849-teaching-pronunciation
Pronunciation is often the cinderella of the ELT world and can be ignored. For most students it is not a big issue until they move towards more advanced levels (in my experience) BUT for some it can be a huge problem and really should be addressed. Think about your students and which camp they fall into.
I think it is worth spending some time on this in any case and the easiest and best way is the little and often approach and I’ll say more about that in the session.
Here are some good links to more ideas on Pron:
Eltchat discussions
- Pronunciation what, why, when and how – Sandy Millin
- Teaching pronunciation – Shaun Wilden
Other posts and information
- Teaching Pronunciation – Judy Gilbert (academic)
- Video presentation on pronunciation – Adrian Underhill
- Pronunciation workshop (video) – Adrian Underhill
- Pronunciation activities – British Council
Moving Forward:
I’m looking to do more promotion of ELTMentor in September so we should have new members going forward and lots more good things happening in the new academic year.
I’ll be spending some time on the forum over the next month so please go ahead and share your ideas and comment on posts there. This is a great way to share advice and seek help or support from each other as well as me.
So I hope you all have a good summer and will be ready and energised for September.
Learning English needs a lot of stamina!
This a post I wrote some time ago for students but I thought it might be appropriate for your students too and maybe for our own teaching!
Some inspiration! (follow the link)
Taking your English language skills to great heights requires strength!
- Strength of character
- Strength of mind
- Strength of body
Learning ANY language is not for the faint-hearted, it takes time and dedication. There are ups, downs and plateaux, there’s despair and frustration and seemingly endless lists to learn! As soon as you reach one peak you see others looming in the distance and you just know that you have to pick up your grammar book and dictionary, put your best foot forward, grit your teeth and plod on.
So why bother?
Why put yourself through all that work? You can muddle through with the English level you have already or you can use an interpreter or a translator, people who are clearly experts in this area and can do a better job than you can.
Or can they?
Notice the word – interpret – this gives room for paraphrase, for interpretation would this still be YOUR message? Interpreters are certainly experts in what is a very difficult job requiring lots of training but if you are presenting YOUR product or service, or conducting YOUR meeting with a potential client or looking to move higher in YOUR career, it is YOUR message that is important. Remember, people buy from and relate to YOU, not someone else trying to deliver you!
So is it worth the effort? Yes, of course it is – just as you would spend time on other aspects of your work and career your English has to be part of that mix. If you have a dream for your work and your future and English is a part of that dream then you have to be prepared to do whatever it takes to get the English you really want and this will take stamina and dedication!
How to get English that really shines!
1. Decide on where you want to be with your English – imagine how it would be if you had really fantastic English skills, make this your ultimate goal.
2. Decide how far you are away from that goal now and what you need to do to get there – you will probably need to do an assessment for this or find a teacher who can help you.
3. Decide how much time you can dedicate to improving your skills daily, weekly etc.. and formulate a plan.
4. Be realistic, if you only have 1 hour a week then it might take some time – doing a bit each day may work better.
5. Get as much exposure as possible, use the ‘dead’ time during your day to practice (travel time, waiting at the station, before a meeting, in the doctor’s surgery – or read the newspaper, listen to songs, the radio – whatever you are interested in.
6. Find things that interest you – dedication and graft don’t have to be boring – there is so much English out there and available that you really should choose what is engaging for you.
Doing this alone will not be easy there will be times when you feel like giving up or when you just can’t be bothered or when you feel you can’t make any more progress. It is easier if you have some support from a group of learners with a similar goal or from a mentor or coach. This will spur you on and encourage you to keep moving forwards. A really good coach won’t let you give up even when you feel you want to.
Whether you use a language coach, join a study group or soldier on alone, remember that it is not going to be an easy ride but the rewards are great – keep focused on that mountain top – you can do it!
Need help with anything?
If anybody else needs help with anything just post in the forum, or on twitter or email me or send a message in Gapfillers. I am really pleased that you are using the forum – let’s get more things posted to discuss.
Don’t forget to put any suggestions in the forum, this is your space to share ideas or experiences and to ask questions.
You can always email me too berni.wall@language-tuition.co.uk about anything that you are concerned about or if you want to ask a question.
Until next time!
Berni