Reading Pleasures and Conversation Starters
September 11, 2009
compellingconversations-admin
Teachers, especially English teachers, love to talk about their summer reading. Reading remains a cheap pleasure and an excellent conversation starter. Can you recommend a…
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Conversation Tip #4: Ask Questions and Take Turns
September 5, 2009
compellingconversations-admin
Asking follow up question can provide clarity and allow our conversation partners to elaborate on details. Use these simple phrases to go beyond hello and…
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Making Accurate, Sound Comparisions in ESL/EFL Conversation Classes
September 4, 2009
compellingconversations-admin
How do you say that again? Which is correct? What is a sound comparison? English teachers and linguists might also find website www.soundcomparisions.com worth a…
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What is Your American Dream?
August 21, 2009
compellingconversations-admin
What is your American Dream? This remains one of my favorite questions to ask new immigrants and American citizens. I asked that question, followed by,…
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Where Do English Language Learners Live in the U.S.A?
August 20, 2009
compellingconversations-admin
Check out this New York Times’ Interactive Map of English Language Learners across the United States that documents their growth since 1996 – and the…
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What Does Success Mean? What Definition Works for You?
August 10, 2009
compellingconversations-admin
Sometimes the simplest questions create the best conversations. What does success mean? What definition are you using? How is that definition working for you?
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Redefining Success – and Staying Optimistic
July 26, 2009
compellingconversations-admin
Sometimes we have to redefine success in our English language classrooms. Sometimes we disappoint ourselves, sometimes our ESL students disappoint us – and sometimes school…
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What will I learn today?
July 17, 2009
compellingconversations-admin
Consider me psyched. I’m going to a huge conference of ELT, EFL, and ESL professionals today in Vietnam’s White Palace. The 4th-annual VUS-TESOL conference program…
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Standardized Exams: Ends or Means?
June 21, 2009
compellingconversations-admin
The main focus of language programs, especially in high schools, should be helping students develop authentic language skills so they can actually read, write, listen,…
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Two More Steps Forward
June 15, 2009
compellingconversations-admin
Today is a good day. For the first time ever, an English teacher used Compelling Conversations for English Language Learners in Vietnam in an EFL/ESL…
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