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Sophisticated English for Global Souls
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27
MAR
2018

The Value of Playback: Recording Student Presentations and Making Good Mistakes in Real-time

“Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff.” – Dr. Richard Carlson (1956-), bestselling American author and psychologist Creating a classroom atmosphere of tolerance, understanding, and constructive criticism remains a constant challenge. How do you help your ESL...
20
FEB
2018

Riding Life’s Waves: Confronting Procrastination – The Surfer’s Way

“If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?” – Hillel the Elder (110 BC-10 AD), Jewish religious leader Why do we procrastinate? Whether the tasks be large or small, it’s all too easy to put off unpleasant tasks – and even...
28
NOV
2017

Teaching Matters: Correcting Error in the Classroom

  “I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think.” -Socrates (c. 470-399 BCE), Ancient Greek philosopher   What are “good mistakes?” How can we – as teachers of English – encourage students to make more of them? When can we use error as an...
20
JUL
2017

Review: Balancing Fluency and Accuracy Activities in the Classroom

“Everything becomes a little different as soon as it is spoken out loud.”  —Hermann Hesse (1877-1962), German novelist and 1946 Nobel Prize winner   What’s the difference between speaking English fluently and speaking accurately? Which one takes priority in the classroom?...
13
APR
2017
EdTechTV Podcast

Resource Round-up: Stay a step ahead with EdTechTV

“My podcast focuses on the crossroads of education and technology and explores practical ways to merge the two.” -Brent Warner, host of EdTechTV and co-author of Compelling Conversations – Japan Are you looking for more fun and informative resource to help you find...
05
JAN
2017
New Year's Resolutions

New Year’s Resolutions: Discussing Change in English Class

“To modernize is to adopt and to adapt, but it is also to recreate.” Octavio Paz, (1914-1998), Mexican writer and diplomat.   Holidays and anniversaries often prompt personal reflections. As a new year beckons, millions of English language learners and thousands...
07
JUN
2016
students discussing notes

What makes a conversation-friendly English, ESL or EFL classroom?

  “There is a role and function for beauty in our time.” – Tadao Ando (1941–), Japanese architect Introducing Teacher Edition Tuesday, a new weekly series based on ten teaching tips from the recently released Compelling American Conversations – Teacher Edition! What makes a...
19
FEB
2016
Older student frustrated with books

Swimming in English: Meaning Matters Most

In conversation, meaning matters most. Our students don’t need to have perfect English grammar; they have to be understood. Let's help them swim in English!
04
JAN
2016
New Year's Resolutions

New Year’s Resolutions: Discussing in English Class

“To modernize is to adopt and to adapt, but it is also to recreate.” Octavio Paz, (1914-1998), Mexican writer and diplomat.   Holidays and anniversaries often prompt personal reflections. As a new year beckons, millions of English language learners and thousands...
30
OCT
2015
Three cheerful friends drinking coffee

Compelling American Conversations – Teacher Edition Comes Out!

“Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is our fundamental resource.” ~ John F. Kennedy (1917-1963), 35th President of the U.S.   Are you a teacher looking for fresh tips to flip your classroom discussions? Do...