McREL standards provide universal guide for teachers
July 14, 2014
compellingconversations-admin
Foreign language classrooms could benefit from McREL standards “You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream.” ―C.S.…
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Volume Matters – Even in Personal Conversations
July 2, 2014
compellingconversations-admin
Why volume matters, especially in difficult student-teacher conferences “Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.” ―Rollo May (1909-1994) American author…
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Reading Pleasures and Tastes Adapted for Easy English Times Column
November 12, 2008
compellingconversations-admin
Easy English Times, an adult education newspaper for English language learners published in California, adapts a chapter from Compelling Conversations each month. The editors selected…
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California Immigrants are Learning English – and Want to Learn More!
September 25, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
Do American immigrants want to learn English? Are the children of Spanish-speaking adult immigrants learning English? What are the recent trends in California and Los…
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School boards, education problems, and a new $350 million dollar high school!
September 6, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
Teaching remains an art, and excellence remains rare – especially in a bureaucratic age. The ancient Socratic methods and modern enlightenment ideals have increasingly fallen…
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Conversation tip #12: Nice truck!
July 27, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
Sometimes a simple comment leads to a delightful conversation. Today I noticed a very, very old truck parked on the street while walking my dog.…
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Teaching English Language Learners: What Seems to Work in American Public Schools
July 21, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
Do English language learners, or English as a Second language students, learn better in sheltered programs? Should students receive some instruction in their native language…
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Does Uncle Sam want immigrants to learn English?
July 18, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
Yet funding for English language classes, especially for adults, remains quite limited. Government programs only help students learn rather basic English, often around 1200 essential…
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Teaching Quotations Creates Lively ESL Classroom Discussions, Shares Insights
July 6, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
Why do you recommend using classic quotations in ESL classrooms? “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free…it expects what never was and never…
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Negative headlines and trendlines for ESL in California
June 15, 2008
compellingconversations-admin
Adverse effects of public education budget cuts “Only the educated are free.” -Epictetus (55-135), Stoic Philosopher The dollar continues to decline in value. The national…
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