ELTCommunity.com : All Content - IATEFL 2011

What words are worth the worry?

eltcommunitysupport@pearson.com — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:07:05 GMT

With estimates of the size of the English language running to between 1 and 2 million word forms, where do teachers begin identifying the vocabulary that is worth focussing on with their students?

Many textbook writers and publishers have focussed on the 2,000 and 3,000 words that, according to corpora, are the most frequent. Research, however, suggests that fluent speech can require up to 7,000 words – and between 8,000 and 9,000 word forms are needed to understand authentic written texts. How do we bridge this gap to ensure that our learners become effective users of English?

Bringing the real world into the classroom

eltcommunitysupport@pearson.com — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 08:56:54 GMT

With the increased use of authentic video in teaching, are we focusing enough on how students experience it?

How can authentic classroom material be exploited so that it’s not just the material that’s authentic, but the students' experience as well?

What’s an effective text? Strategies to improve learner writing.

eltcommunitysupport@pearson.com — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:01:45 GMT

What features of learning writing make it most difficult to follow? Are there any top tips you have?

Making sense of comprehension

eltcommunitysupport@pearson.com — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:35:41 GMT

What happens when we comprehend? Is comprehension an active or a passive skill? Is comprehension merely receptive, or is it creative?

Rene Descartes said " I think, therefore I am. " He might equally have said, "I comprehend, therefore I am." Wittgenstein said " The limits of my language are the limits of my world." He might equally have said " The limits of my comprehension are the limits of my world.

I would argue that comprehension is the fundamental basis of all education; History, Geography, Science, Foreign Languages, Mathematics, Dressmaking and Football.

What do you think?

Great speakers need great listeners

eltcommunitysupport@pearson.com — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:09:29 GMT

What strategies do you have to get your students listening more effectively?

Any innovations?

Pearson sessions at IATEFL 2011

eltcommunitysupport@pearson.com — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:29:34 GMT

Please find details in the attached file on all the Pearson sessions happening at IATEFL this year...we are really looking forward to seeing you all there.