Does Teaching English Open Minds in Closed Societies? – Part 1
February 6, 2010
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Does teaching English open minds in closed societies? Are repressive governments “right” to fear the spread of English? Can the mania for learning English destabilize…
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Passion and Persistence: Self-Published ESL Authors Tell Their Stories
January 25, 2010
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What motivates ESL teachers to become authors? Why do many of these authors self-publish? What’s their likelihood of success? Naturally, I’m quite interested in these…
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CATESOL Accepts ESL Teacher-Author’s Panel; I Will Give Two CATESOL Presentations
January 21, 2010
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When it rains, it pours. So goes the classic proverb. This week has been quite rainy and cold in Los Angeles, but I’m feeling warm…
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CATESOL Accepts Presentation on Informational Interviews
January 19, 2010
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"Informational Interviews: A Practical, Illuminating Speaking Assignment" will demonstrate the importance and relevance of this unusual assignment for a wide range of ESL students. Although…
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Happy New Decade! How Will We Change? Will We Discuss Change in Our ESL Classes?
December 31, 2009
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One simple method is to make change a topic in our classes. Cities, products, families, schools, and people change. This moment also allows us to…
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The Crazy Alphabet Game of Teaching English Here, There, and Elsewhere
December 22, 2009
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Confused by the long litany of acronyms in our fast-growing field? You’re not alone. English teachers, linguists, and school administrators must navigate an Amazon River…
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What is your word of the year for 2009?
December 18, 2009
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The New Oxford Dictionary chose "unfriend" as its word of the year, but that clever choice is not the first, only, or last word. This…
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INTESOL Conference on ESL Teachers and Technology Offers Practical Tips
November 14, 2009
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Further, several speakers - including keynote ESL guru Randall Davis – emphasized the need for appropriate technology and “less is more” when designing classroom lessons.…
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Conversation Tip 5: What has pleasantly surprised you today?
November 8, 2009
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What has pleasantly surprised you today? English teachers can use this question as a writing cue, during student-teacher conferences, or with co-workers. Students, especially at…
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Have You Added Informational Interviews to Your Advanced ESL Class Yet?
October 1, 2009
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Yet ESL teachers can also help advanced ESL/EFL students conduct research for possible jobs with information interviews. A common practice in the United States, informational…
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