Total Physical Response

Here's an example of an English teaching method, based on the idea that language is internalized through a process of codebreaking similar to first language development and that the process allows for a long period of listening and developing comprehension prior to production. Students respond to commands that require physical movement. TPR is primarily intended for English as a second language teachers, although the method is used in teaching other languages as well. The method became popular in the 1970s and attracted the attention or allegiance of some teachers, but it has not received generalized support from mainstream educators.

Our Experience as English Learners

        There are lots of things we can say as an English learners, since the process of learning has been a long one. It has been going on for years. It started at primary school, where we barely knew some colours and numbers. We remember that learning the Present Simple in all its forms (affirmative, negative and interrogative) took us a long time. Then, we progressively learnt some grammar and vocabulary during Secondary Education. Regarding to the teachers we had at those times, the one I had at primary education was not a good one; we learnt very little English and we think that If we had had a better teacher at that early age when I still had access to Universal Grammar, we would not have had to make such a big effort to learn English when we were older.
       On the other hand, the teachers we had during Secondary education and high school were better and we learnt more. However, we think that being abroad has been the best thing for my process of English learning, speaking a language is very benefitial for the learning process and that was something missing at primary and secondary education. Therefore, we should teach students how to speak rather than just filling their minds with lots of grammatical rules. Learning a language is learning how to communicate and interact with others. Otherwise, there is no point in learning a second language.
:)

McHumor

Do you know who we are??..:D

Cynthia

                                                                    María Salud

                                                 Isabel

Learnig through songs

Here's a video of Jack Johnson, a famous singer that supports learning through songs, making the learning process funnier and engaging:

We hope you like it!!

Forums we like

Here's a forum where the students from the Masters of Teacher of Secundary School share our opinions:

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=100001824831675

You can join us if you want!!;)

Video: Children see. Children Do

Breaking News

Oposiciones 2011: Resumen de la Mesa sobre la oferta inicial de plazas.

http://www.csi-csif.es/comunitatvalenciana/Article9542.html

Bilingüe por orden judicial 

http://www.elpais.com/articulo/andalucia/Bilingue/orden/judicial/elpepusoc/20110128elpand_2/Tes

Merkel plantea ofrecer trabajo cualificado a jóvenes españoles en paro

http://es.noticias.yahoo.com/5/20110122/tbs-merkel-plantea-ofrecer-trabajo-cuali-8f68f4f.html

Las ilusiones perdidas 

http://www.elpais.com/articulo/andalucia/ilusiones/perdidas/elpepiespand/20101002elpand_4/Tes

Diseñado en Berlín, hecho en Salamanca 

http://www.elpais.com/articulo/portada/Disenado/Berlin/hecho/Salamanca/elpepisupep3/20110128elptenpor_3/Tes


Please comments and more breaking news here!! :-D

Situation of Valencian Schools & How to Introduce Innovation in the Classroom

PART 1

Regarding the situation of Valencian Schools we have to say that there are good and bad aspects to be commented.

There have been many changes in Education, such as the introduction of new technologies in the classroom, such as over-head projectors, digital whiteboards and the use of personal computers among others. There have also been many changes in classroom management: communicative activities, such as debates or role-plays have been encouraged.

Anyway there is still a lot of work to do...

PART 2

Concerning how can we introduce innovation in the educational centre, as teachers we must create activities that:

-Develop students' curiosity, creativity and sociological imagination.

-As instructors we are often curious to how to meet our students’ needs while simultaneously meeting the objectives of the institutions in which we work.

-As teachers we can think what use they could potentially have in the classroom.

-Students should recognize that their perspective is shaped by largely by outside forces.

Our experience as Master students

         First of all, we would like to say that our experience as Master students is being different from what we expected. Whereas we thought that the Master would be more practical we have been having to deal with lots of theory. Nevertheless, there are some parts of the master that we also like, such as the group projects and the interaction with other Master students.
       Regarding the Innovation in Education class, we have found it quite useful because we have learnt how important it is to innovate in the classroom to keep students motivated. Besides, we have learnt about the use of the new technologies and their application in education.
       Finally, we have found the Practicum stage a very interesting experience because we have seen education in its real context. Being in the teacher's shoes, we have experienced a better insight into the teaching of EFL profession.

ICT's: Advantages & Inconveniences for Teachers

ADVANTAGES

•Great source of information, orientation & investigation

•Individualization. Attention to diversity

•Learner-centered environment

•Teachers have more facilities to present innovative activities
•Easy contact with other educational centres & teachers

•Facilitate assessment & control by teachers.

INCONVENIENCES

•Stress

•Lack of materials & resources

•Students may get distracted easily & do not take lessons seriously

•Some students may need extra attention to use technology

•Teachers need to devote extra time in order to prepare their classes, update computer programmes, recycle their knowledge, etc.

 

What do you think???

Thanks for giving us your opinion ;-)

Why are new technologies useful in education?

"The greatest challenge the school has to face up nowadays is to prepare children to be able to deal with the new information society.” By Jordi Adell

“Our students have changed radically. Today’s students are no longer the people our educatinal system was designed to teach.”. By Mark Prensky, “Digital natives, digital immigrants”

 

 WHY??

•The arrival of the new technologies and the changing society: allows to satisfy the necessities of the school of the XXI century.

•Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are potentially powerful enabling tools for educational change and reform.

•ICTs help us to introduce new methodologies and learning environments.

•ICTs help us to improve education according to the new social reality.

You can post your opinion.

Thanks!

 

Innovate or Die!!!

Hello everybody and welcome to our new blog. It has been created by Cynthia, Salud & Isabel, students of the Master of Teaching English in Secundary Education at the University of Valencia 2010-11.
We have created this blog for the Innovation & Investigation in Education subject, under the supervision of our teacher Inma Garín.
This is a blog directed to those students who want to become English teachers in Secondary Education, as well as for those who are English teachers already.
In our blog, you will find innovative ideas and tools that will help you to improve your English lessons. Of course we invite you to participate and post your opinions!!

Thanks everybody!