Busan-Gyeongnam Kotesol would like to extend a warm welcome and invite you to our June meeting featuring experienced teachers Michael Griffin and Mike Peacock. Please join us before the regular meeting for reflective practice and/or after the meeting for dinner at a local restaurant. There will be one more meeting before the summer break, although we will have an informal "roundtable" for local teachers to exchange ideas in July.
Who/what: Michael Griffin- "Are Teacher-Training Course "No-Nos" Really not so Bad?"
Mike Peacock- "You too can Audioboo" (see below for abstracts/bios).
When: June 14, 2:30 (reflective practice at 1:00).
Where: ESS Hagwon in Nampo-Dong
http://www.koreatesol.org/content/workshops-venue-ess-hagwon-nampo-dong
How much: free, even for non-Kotesol members. Bring a friend!
Hope to see you then,
Busan-Gyeongnam Kotesol
Michael Griffin:
Abstract: While on teacher training courses there are many “no-nos” trainees quickly learn to avoid. What if these habits are not so bad? What if there is a time and a place for them? What if some of the habits might actually be helpful for students? In this interactive session we will explore, re-examine, discuss and even defend some of these practices. A typical example of these behaviors is teachers (not) asking students, “Do you understand?” The session will begin with analysis of such teacher moves. With an emphasis on getting away from the simple and simplistic dichotomies of good and bad we will examine the reasons these moves are typically considered bad and then move on to considering reasons they might not be so bad and when they might be suitable or helpful. This session is intended for teachers of all experience levels as well as those involved with teacher training and development. Participants will ideally walk away with a sense of freedom to do consider using what are known as bad habits in class or at least a stronger conviction to avoid the “bad” behaviors.
Bio: Michael Griffin has been involved with English teaching for nearly 15 years. He has worked as a teacher, teacher trainer, trainer-trainer, curriculum developer, substitute teacher, assistant director, and mentor. In his current “day job” he teaches in the Graduate School of International Studies at Chung-Ang University teaching both future translators/ interpreters and graduate students in International Studies. He also teaches Curriculum Development on the New School MATESOL program. Mike is very active online and can be found on twitter (@michaelegriffin) and on his blog (http://eltrantsreviewsreflections.wordpress.com/). He is also heavily involved with #iTDi and #KELTchat. Email: michaelegriffin@gmail.com.
Mike Peacock:
Abstract: EFL students are asked to speak in conversation classes for various purposes. First, the instructor wants the students to practice his or her English conversation skills. Second, the instructor wants to assess the students’ English ability. But how often do the students assess their own ability or the ability of their classmates? By recording their voices and posting them online, students can evaluate their strengths and weaknesses while working towards improved English conversation.
Bio: Mike Peacock currently teaches English conversation in the Culinary Arts Department at Woosong University, Daejeon. He is interested in MALL, especially with regards to smartphones and education. He is the current president of KOTESOL’s Daejeon-Chungcheong Chapter as well as the Support Services Chair of this year’s KOTESOL International Conference. He holds a B.a. and B.ed from Canada and an M.A. in TESOL from Korea. He can be reached at mpeacock@gmail.com.
