December 11, 2012
by leesensei
1 Comment
In my quest to interject more ‘meaningful’ communication between my students I now often start my classes with a ‘Question, or questions, of the Day’. These are in the target language and on a pdf file that I project to … Continue reading
November 5, 2012
by leesensei
0 comments
Like many language teachers I often use a story to illustrate a particular theme in a unit. I choose to use a story from the textbook – as it dovetails nicely. But what to do once it is read? How … Continue reading
October 30, 2012
by leesensei
1 Comment
The other day a colleague, looking at my QR codes for my student video/vocab links said “I’m so glad that I’m retiring in 3 years so I don’t have to do any tech etc. in class!”. I was dumbfounded. … Continue reading
October 22, 2012
by leesensei
0 comments
I have long struggled with the idea of “authentic” assessment. As a language teacher this not just that the activities are contextually or culturally ‘authentic’. It goes further in ensuring that students know and understand how they will be evaluated. … Continue reading
October 9, 2012
by leesensei
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Music is a powerful learning tool. I love to use songs in the foreign language classroom. They are topical, and provide everyday context for grammar/vocabulary that students are learning. They provide an ‘immersion’ learning experience, and as we know, learning … Continue reading
October 1, 2012
by leesensei
0 comments
Have you ever gone back and looked at your ‘daybook’? For me it was always on paper in a red covered planner. Static, words only, hardly a way to describe what is going to happen, and what does happen, in … Continue reading
September 24, 2012
by leesensei
0 comments
Communicative activities that mirror an authentic task are the current focus of many of our language classrooms. Sometimes it can be a challenge to figure out what to do. My solution has always been to look at the learning outcomes … Continue reading
September 20, 2012
by leesensei
2 Comments
A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to know that how I questioned kids in the class was not particularly effective. I always seemed to notice ‘the evident’ kid – you know the one. Big personality, or quick … Continue reading
August 28, 2012
by leesensei
0 comments
This is the year that I show a commitment to using tech not only to deliver my course, but also to organize myself. When a colleague of mine initially showed me Evernote I was intrigued but sceptical. After all, … Continue reading
August 8, 2012
by leesensei
0 comments
It’s almost that time of year again and I look forward to reconnecting with students. I am fortunate that I teach all Japanese classes in Grades 10-12 at my school. It means that the majority of my students are aware … Continue reading