UNIT 18 ASSESMENT TYPES AND TASKS

ASSESMENT TYPES AND TASKS

It is really important to assess our students to know the development or progress during their learning process in a classroom.Teacher can use many methods to see if they are progressing or if they need to improve the language. For example a learner starts a new scholar year or semester so it is necessary that the teacher prepares an exam to know how they are with their knowledge and then teacher can begin with a new class depending on the results of that exams. Placement test is another way to assess them, it is use to decide in what level of class learners should go according their knowledge. On the other hand, we have achievement test is when learners take an exam at the end of a course to see how they have learned in that period.

Also we have different types of activities that we can use with them for example multiple choice questions, fill in the gaps, describe pictures, sequence, word order. 

We must assess the four skills using different methods and activites that it can help us to know if we as teachers need to improve their classess or some strategies to teach, or if the students have to study more.

YouTube

Formative and Summative Assessment

YouTube,. (2014). Formative and Summative Assessment. Retrieved 5 December 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0nSW3W4MW0

Here you have some links for more information based on the topic:

App.griffith.edu.au

Assessment Matters

App.griffith.edu.au,. (2014). Assessment Matters. Retrieved 5 December 2014, from http://app.griffith.edu.au/assessment-matters/docs/assessment-methods/tasks

Uts.edu.au

Types of assessment | University of Technology, Sydney

Uts.edu.au,. (2014). Types of assessment | University of Technology, Sydney. Retrieved 5 December 2014, from http://www.uts.edu.au/research-and-teaching/teaching-and-learning/assessment/types-assessment

Jfmueller.faculty.noctrl.edu

Authentic Tasks (Authentic Assessment Toolbox)

Jfmueller.faculty.noctrl.edu,. (2014). Authentic Tasks (Authentic Assessment Toolbox). Retrieved 5 December 2014, from http://jfmueller.faculty.noctrl.edu/toolbox/task

UNIT 17 PRACTICE ACTIVITIES AND TASKS FOR LANGUAGE AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

PRACTICE ACTIVITIES AND TASKS FOR LANGUAGE AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Activites and tasks provide students help and practice the language because if they do not practice the language they lose the interest in learning. Also, teachers have to mix a lot of activities that involves the four principal skills and pay attention when it will be useful according their needs and levels that they are, it is imposible to use sophisticated activities with children or teenagers, the use of interaction patterns is an option to be in contact  with them. Furthermore, teachers have to develop communicative activities (Speaking and writing), it shows if they use the language in a good or bad way for that reason this unit presents us three types of activities like controlled, freer and free.

Controlled activity is where the teacher practice with them accuracy because she helps them to avoid mistakes for example through drills, choral drills, individual drills.

Freer activity is less controlled from the teacher and she tells them what kind of vocabulary they need to use in a role play for example.

Free activity is when they are able to produce the language accurately they can complete task or fill information. Moreover, we can do free activities with big class where they write something about the nature, vacations, tourist places where they can go because they develop their skills.

I would like to use with my students a great variety of activites suh as funny stories, songs, puppets, videos, drills. pictures, realia with all of them at the same time I will incentive and motivate them to acquire the language in a wonderful way.

For more information here you have some links:

Iteslj.org

Saricoban & Metin - Songs, Verse and Games for Teaching Grammar (TESL/TEFL)

Iteslj.org,. (2014). Saricoban & Metin - Songs, Verse and Games for Teaching Grammar (TESL/TEFL). Retrieved 5 December 2014, from http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Saricoban-Songs.html

Education.com

Authentic Tasks | Education.com

Education.com,. (2014). Authentic Tasks | Education.com. Retrieved 5 December 2014, from http://www.education.com/reference/article/authentic-tasks/

FEAweb

Time-on-Task: A Teaching Strategy that Accelerates Learning

FEAweb,. (2014). Time-on-Task: A Teaching Strategy that Accelerates Learning. Retrieved 5 December 2014, from http://feaweb.org/time-on-task-a-teaching-strategy-that-accelerates-learning

UNIT 16 PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES AND INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITIES

PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES AND INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITIES

Now, this unit has two important things presentation techniques and introductory activities but what does they mean?. Presentation techniques means the ways used by the teachers to focus learners¨ attention on the meaning and the other one that it is introductory activities means many activites that teacher uses to present a lesson. It depends on us how we want to achieve the goals from our students and make a funny class always paying attention in the context of the language, choral drill to teach them a good pronunciation for example from my point of view Presentation, Practice and Production (PPP) lesson is a good option for learners because fisrt  teacher presents the topic that he/she is going to teach then, she prepare activities where they get involved and finally they are ready to show that they learn and are capable to produce something. I do not agree that the teacher is a bossy person, teacher is only a guide and students shoul take advantage of it. Moreover, we have to pay attention in the four skills because when someone is learning a new language needs to improve everything to become a good reader, writer, speaker and listener. For that reason, is really important to provide them extra resources where they can practice more because only to listen to the teacher is not enough to learn ,so technology provides a lot of help with web pages, online programs, radio programs, tv shows and so on. Furthermore, we have to pay attention in everything like focus on form,context, comprehension, grammar, pronunciation, if we avoid all those thing they never notice if they are right or wrong. Before to start the class we have to use a warm up to activate students. I would like to use warm up or lead-in in my clasess in that way I will motivate them to start a funny and interesting class, before to tell them to present a role play first I would like to make a demostration  in front of them, so it helps them to feel security.

References for extra information:

prezi.com

What are presentation techniques and introductory activities

prezi.com,. (2014). What are presentation techniques and introductory activities. Retrieved 5 December 2014, from https://prezi.com/favx3bysftea/what-are-presentation-techniques-and-introductory-activities/

profile, V.

Teacherale's Blog: Presentation techniques and introductory activities

profile, V. (2009). Teacherale's Blog: Presentation techniques and introductory activities.Teacheraleupbc.blogspot.com. Retrieved 5 December 2014, from http://teacheraleupbc.blogspot.com/2009/05/presentation-techniques-and.html

Quizlet.com

M1U16: Presentation techniques and introductory activities

Quizlet.com,. (2014). M1U16: Presentation techniques and introductory activities. Retrieved 5 December 2014, from http://quizlet.com/28378064/m1u16-presentation-techniques-and-introductory-activities-flash-cards/

UNIT 15 APPROACHES TO LANGUAGE TEACHING

APPROACHES TO LANGUAGE TEACHING

This unit talks about many approaches that we can use and apply in the classroom  with our students. All of them are useful but some of them develop only two skills in others four skills for example Structural Approach the language is learnt through controlled practice here teacher helps learners to acquire the language also here the oral skill is developed first in that way teachers can correct and avoid their mistakes. On the other hand, we have Task-based Learning(TBL)  uses functions, vocabulary structures discourse. so students develop  a task and then the teacher controls it. Furthermore, this unit contains more approaches such as Presentation Practice and Production(PPP), Lexical Approach, Functional Approach, Grammar Translation, Total Physical Response, Guided Discovery and Content and Langugae Integrated Learning(CLIL). As you can notice a great number of approaches. We as future teachers have to use the best one according the age and necessities of our students. These approaches have characteristics for example the kind of material that we can use how to teach them the interaction between students, or teacher -students. When we will work is important to know about the approach because it lets us to get involved with the language, students and the class, imagine if we use any of them but if we do not know well of what it is about we cannot develop the class succesfully. I would like to use most of approaches where I teach students in different ways or maybe I will use ECLECTIC approach. The best way to teach  is the use of fullcolor pictures with children and teenagers and with adults with communicative activites like role plays,  debates, conversations maybe dramatizations.

YouTube

APPROACHES and METHODS in LANGUAGE TEACHING

YouTube,. (2014). APPROACHES and METHODS in LANGUAGE TEACHING. Retrieved 5 December 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL3KGtBfMak

References for extra information

Shoebottom, P.

Language teaching methods

Shoebottom, P. (2014). Language teaching methods. Esl.fis.edu. Retrieved 5 December 2014, from http://esl.fis.edu/teachers/support/method.ht

Slideshare.net

Language Teaching Approaches and Methods

Slideshare.net,. (2014). Language Teaching Approaches and Methods. Retrieved 5 December 2014, from http://www.slideshare.net/emma.a/language-teaching-approaches-and-methods

Onestopenglish

Teaching approaches

Onestopenglish,. (2014). Teaching approaches. Retrieved 5 December 2014, from http://www.onestopenglish.com/support/methodology/teaching-approaches/

UNIT 14 LEARNER NEEDS

LEARNER NEEDS

It is really important to know the needs from our students especially when they are acquiring a second language in this case English. This unit is amazing because it provides some strategies to use with our students. Also, from my point of view I think that the number of learners in a classroom should be not nore than 40 because it is a great number and it is difficult to teach them it happens in public schools half of them will understand but the other half I think they do not really understand something maybe the noise or thay sit down so far. On the other hand, private schools do not have this problem because they are 15 or 18 students per each class, they take a good advantage from it. Another reason that it can cause problem to the students is the use of technology especially with cellphones , they do not use it in a good way, they use only for spend time in games, chat, applications, watch videos of their favorites programmms but never for something productive. I think that parents need to pay attention in it as soon as possible because the lack of attention in the class it will cause a damage in their learning process. I consider that interaction patterns are an excelent strategy to use with them. Furthermore, all of the students need help from the teacher to develop their skills sucessfully and motivation it is the most important factor to motivate our students to continue with their studies. It is necessary to facilitate them interesting material , according thie age, interests, personality, cultural background. If they are children, we have to use a lot of songs, games where they get involved and be familiar with the language. I will use realia, movies, funny videos, lyrics, movies as I said before according their needs.

YouTube

Teaching the 21st Century Learner

YouTube,. (2014). Teaching the 21st Century Learner. Retrieved 4 December 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTWTKDdw8f4

If you need more information please visit the following links:

Yates, B.

Learning Needs Analysis

Yates, B. (2014). Learning Needs Analysis .Assetproject.info. Retrieved 4 December 2014, from http://www.assetproject.info/learner_methodo

PhD, N.

Understanding Adult Learners’ Needs

PhD, N. (2012). Understanding Adult Learners’ Needs . Faculty Focus. Retrieved 4 December 2014, from http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/understanding-adult-learners-needs/

Google Books

Literacy, understanding the learner's needs

Google Books,. (2014). Literacy, understanding the learner's needs. Retrieved 4 December 2014, from http://books.google.com.ec/books?id=DjKdAAAAMAAJ&q=learner+needs&dq=le

UNIT 13 LEARNER CHARACTERISTICS

 

LEARNER CHARACTERISTICS

This unit talks about the different characteristics of the learners in order to teach them with many learning strategies according their learning styles.I think that we have to know how many students like to study alone or individual, in groups, if they are visual, auditory, kinaesthetic, spatial and so on. It lets teacher to apply   in the classroom . We do not think only in ourselves we have to pay attention in our students because they are learning and they need a lot of attention from us like teachers. Moreover, we do not need to spend a lot of time explaining strategies of how to learn something instead of we will apply with them in the class for example the use of communicative activities like role plays, debates, write a composition, this kind of work helps us to evaluate our students also they need to develop their skills in order to see their process during their learning language. So, the intraction between them and the teacher too helps them to feel confidence. T eahers have to let them to learn all the things that they want and not put any restriction because in that way they express their ideas freely. In the future I would like to apply them a diagnostic test to konw what kind of learning style they have and then I will prepare a lot of material to teach them.

For more information you can find here:

YouTube

Key principles of teaching very young learners

YouTube,. (2014). Key principles of teaching very young learners. Retrieved 4 December 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwI-mNRW9Mc

Texas Language Technology Center, U. O. T. A. A.

Texas Language Technology Center, U. (2014).Learner Characteristics | Foreign Language Teaching Methods: The Language Learner.Coerll.utexas.edu. Retrieved 4 December 2014, 

Pearsonhighered.com

Pearsonhighered.com,. (2014). Retrieved 4 December 2014, from http://www.pearsonhighered.com/assets/hip/u

Itma.vt.edu

Itma.vt.edu,. (2014). Retrieved 4 December 2014, from http://www.itma.vt.edu/modules/spring11/efun

UNIT 12 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN L1 AND L2 LEARNINGfIRST

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN L1 AND L2 LEARNING

     This unit was interesting  and useful because it provides us some strategies and different ways to use with the students. L1 is our mother tongue when babies acquire the language since they are babies, they start to acquire a language with a silent period where they only listen sounds, pronunciation and intonation. They learn from their parents and from the environment too. For example in our country the mother tongue is Spanish language because we live in an environment where all the time we speak in Spanish. On the other hand, L2 is a language that it is not our mother tongue for example English language because it is learned in the classrooms and using a lot of activities and tasks  , also learners need to be motivated to acquire a new language.Teacher have to use many activities according their learning styles. Future teachers during the acquisition of any language have to include funny ways to teach a language such as games, songs, big cardboards with the alphafet, professions,fruits. We have to provide them scaffolding that support their knowledge during learning process.

We can search more information in the following pages:

• The usage of L1 at the L2 classroom

YouTube,. (2014). The usage of L1 at the L2 classroom. Retrieved 28 November 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmQ8_H-U7OQ

• Strategies for Helping Students Learn a Foreign Language

Www2.gsu.edu,. (2014). - Strategies for Helping Students Learn a Foreign Language. Retrieved 28 November 2014, from http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwrld/6429.html

• Acquisition: An Overview | ELL Topics from A-Z | Colorín Colorado

Colorín Colorado,. (2014). Language Acquisition: An Overview | ELL Topics from A-Z | Colorín Colorado. Retrieved 28 November 2014, from http://www.colorincolorado.org/article/26751/

UNIT 11 THE ROLE OF ERROR

 THE ROLE OF ERROR

     Errors in a language is a  normal way to notice where students need to pay more attention. Acquiring a language that it is not our mother tongue carry many advantages for us. Errors or mistakes help students to play and experiment new things in the acquisition process.  "Errors are an integral part of language learning" (John Bitchener, 2012). It is true because I remembered when I was in first semester I made a lot of mistakes in writing, reading and speaking  skills, but with the time I learned all those thing to correct an improve my knowledge. Moreover, teachers were there to teach us for example using in a good way sound patterns, lexis or grammatical structures. For that reason, we have to encourage our future students to be exposured at the language all the time , while they are in contact they can interact with others and learn from them, so in that way we avoid mistakes, with the time it gets fossilised and it is imposible to correct it.  Teachers needs to know when, how and where to correct mistakes first, they will give their students condifence then to start correcting them. "Second language learning transfer the form and structures of his native language to the target language" (Bernhard Kettemann, 1980). In other words, it happens frequently in learners when they have to write something, they think in Spanish but in English is different. It is in our hands as future teachers to develop langauge forms depending on  learning styles.

     Finally, I will write  all the mistakes in a notebook when they have an oral presentation, so it helps me to correct their mistakes, so I wrote this mistakes on the board and pronounce together in the correct way. Also, I present a big chart with the word, an example and the pronunciation, so it lets them to practice a lot.

     Watch  the following video based on errors or mistakes:

Bibliography

• Bernhard Kettemann, R. N. (1980). New Approaches to Language Acquisition. Germany: Gunter Nurr.

• Foreign and Second Language Learning

  Google Books,. (2014). Foreign and Second Language Learning. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http://books.google.com.ec/books?id=lbUXHB_dRiEC&pg=PA20&dq=how+to+avo
• 
  
• John Bitchener, D. R. (2012). Written Corrective Feedback in Second Language Acquisition and Writing. New York: Publication Data.

            Error correction at end of lesson

• YouTube,. (2014). Error correction at end of lesson. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctmjFjJjmLY

Visit the following pages to find more information:

• How do you deal with fossilized errors and help students improve their accuracy? #ELTchat Summary 23/02/2011

Constantinides, V. (2011). How do you deal with fossilized errors and help students improve their accuracy? #ELTchat Summary 23/02/2011.ELTchat. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http://eltchat.org/wordpress/summary/how-do-you-deal-with-fossilized-errors-and-help-students-improve-their-accuracy-eltchat-summary-23022011/

• The role of mistakes in language learning | Antimoon

Antimoon.com,. (2014). The role of mistakes in language learning | Antimoon. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http://www.antimoon.com/how/mistakes-in-learning.htm

UNIT 10 EXPOSURE AND FOCUS ON FORM

EXPOSURE AND FOCUS ON FORM

     This unit was interesting we have many ways to acquire a foreing language from children to adults.Teachers are guides that they can help them to learn. Here the key word is exposure  that it means learners need to be familiarized with the new language all the time especially children learn in an easy and natural way in a good environment for example through games, lullabies and songs. Furthermore, we have to take into account that their first language that they learn is when they are babies, so it is more easy because they learn everything. On the other hand, we have teenagers , youngs and adults as students I think that we as future teachers need to use different manners to teach English language according the ages like realia, dramatizations, role plays, conversations, also we have to pay attention or focus on form ( pronunciation, use of grammar, vocabulary) to help them during their learning pocess.

   

     "Language acquisition is not an event that occurs in an instant or as a result of exposure to a language form, a language lesson or corrective feedback " (Cho, 2009). This author has a clear reason to teach a language it requires time it is not only for a minute or an hour, so we have to search new strategies or activities where they are involved with the real situation with the whole class.  

     Exposure an focus on form are together because when we teach something for that reason I will help my students in a funny and understandable way such as: I write on a piece of cardboards new vocabulary with a picture and the pronunciation to avoid mistakes of it, also I will present a lot of videos according the grammar, vocabulary, verbs, etc where they can notice how it works, they have to work out on that and the teacher will provide them many worksheets to work and practice on that.  "Focus on form often consists of an occasional shift of attention to linguistic code features- by the teachers and/or one or more students- triggered by perceived problems with comprehension or production" (Catherine Doughty, 1998) I agree with this author because if we can detect any kind of problem with anticipation we should avoid misunderstandings from the learners or viceversa.

     Finally, in the following video you can appreciate how a baby acquire a language I hope that you enjoy every single detail:

Bibliography

• Catherine Doughty, J. W. (1998). Focus on Form in Classroom Second Language Acquisition. New York: Cambridge University Press.

• Cho, Y. W. (2009). Extensive Focus on Form, Text-based Online Chat, and Second Language Learning. United States: Proquest LLC.

• YouTube,. (2014). Language Acquisition 1. Retrieved 26 November 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZatrvNDOiE

Also you can visit the following pages in order to search more information:

• Exposure and Focus on Form Unit 10

Es.scribd.com,. (2014). Exposure and Focus on Form Unit 10. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from https://es.scribd.com/doc/17655730/Exposure-and-Focus-on-Form-Unit-10

• Language-education.com

Language-education.com,. (2014). Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http://www.language-education.com/eng/doc/pbt_skel/Exposing_ch

 

PART 2 BACKGROUND TO LANGUAGE LEARNING UNIT 9 MOTIVATION

 November 25, 2014

"Rather than rewarding students for doing their job, we should help them celebrate a job well done. It´s a subtle shift but an important one.Celebrating their success leaves the onus where it should be , with the student."                                                                                                                                          Robyn Jackson

     This unit was really interesting because it has key factors that we can take as examples in order to develop in a classroom with our future students. From my point of view, I consider motivation is encouraging words that someone say to another in order to give support to continue with the goals in the life. Moreover, it maintains  our enthusiasm up to continue in the learning process,we know when people decide to pick up a foreing language is not so easy, but it requires time and a lot of patient.So, I think about this unit is really interesting for us as future teachers to create a good atmosphere with learners where they feel security and confidence at the moment to interact and participate in many activities. Furthermore, I took a video to motivate our students to study without any fear. I agree with the person who is speaking that everybody have the same opportunities and abilites to learn and achieve all the dreams that they have in their minds. Never give up because it depends on us to become  excellent people and professionals in different fields.

Finally, I would like to apply using a lot of activities and strategies where they are familiarized and feel free to share ideas, thoughts and knowledge, but first  let´s go to define two types of motivation. According to Yoshiyuki Nakata says " Psychologits have attempted to explicate learning behaviour in the classroom in terms of two major concepts namely intricsic motivation ans extrinsic motivation." (Donna Walker Tileston). In other words, it means that students need to have motivation from themselves (intrinsic) while they are doing something maybe developing a skill reading a book, listening to music, writing a letter things like that. On the other hand, teachers have to encourage them to do something (extrinsic) because the motivation comes from external factors like, rewards, extra grades, extra points. Nevertheless, I think that I as a future teacher I would like to use both o them but especially I pay a little more attention on  intrinsic motivation because in that way  I can notice what they are apt to develop or expose  their intelligences, so in a classroom we have a multiple intelligences students.I would like to start my motivational class with a quotation from any famous people, writer, singer to encourage leaners to think for a while about that quotation. Also, I stick on the wall every day a word or a short phrase ( you are unique, winner, the best, a treasure,love, honest) what I want with this, an amazing atmosphere and a good rapport with them. I recommend you that "Best practice in motivation and managment in the classroom". I consider that book as a helpful resource for us  It has a lot of ways to teach our students and help to be involved  in a classroom with their classmates and teacher .

For more information watch a video that I mentioned before  and read  that  interesting book:

• YouTube,. (2014). Motivational Video For Students Motivation For Studying. Retrieved 26 November 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5n1aP0i6aQ

• Google Books,. (2014). Best Practice in Motivation and Management in the Classroom. Retrieved 26 November 2014, from http://books.google.com.ec/books?id=dVbdbxhJstIC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepa

For more information you can visit this pages:

• STUDY HARD MOTIVATIONAL VIDEO 2014

YouTube,. (2014). STUDY HARD MOTIVATIONAL VIDEO 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdkl1c0BeZA

• Best Motivation Video - Never Give Up! [HD]

YouTube,. (2014). Best Motivation Video - Never Give Up! [HD]. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41Zjh3AirjU

• How to Motivate Students: Top 12 Ways

TeachHUB,. (2014). How to Motivate Students: Top 12 Ways. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http://www.teachhub.com/top-12-ways-motivate-students