Did you have a good first day back at school? Were your students excited to be back?
We at Jeonju-North Jeolla KOTESOL have been working over the break to prepare a schedule of workshops and conferences for you for 2016. We hope you’ll join us!
Our first workshop will be held on Saturday, March 12th, at 2:45 p.m., at Jeonju University. The two presenters will help you get your students participating, with workshops on (1) making comics with students, and (2) techniques to get students to speak up in class.
Come join us to pick up some teaching tips and to network with other local English teachers. We’d love to meet you!
Presentation 1: Let’s make comics!
by Cristen Royce
Abstract:
Most Korean middle school students read internet comics, or “web toons,” as they are commonly called. They are also overburdened with studying English grammar and vocabulary, so they need creative outlets to express themselves. Why not make comic books? This presentation will show you how to plan a camp where students make their own comic books with iPads or Android tablets using the free application ComicsHead. Each day students take a quiz based on what they have learned using Socrative. The teacher then presents a topic that relates to the students’ lives and scaffolds the language needed to complete a task. After they complete their task by making a comic page, they can email it to the teacher and present it to the class. On the final day, the teacher can print out the pages and help them make a book to take home and remember their experiences.
Bio:
Cristen Royce has been teaching English in elementary and middle schools through English Program in Korea in Jeonbuk Province for 6 years. He graduated from Eastern Washington University with a Bachelor’s in History and Philosophy. He is currently finishing an online Master’s in Education through the University of Cincinnati. His worksheets and PowerPoints are available for free at cristenteacher.com.
Presentation 2: The Silent Debate: Getting Students to Speak Up
by Jasmine Taiwo
Abstract:
Many instructors are apprehensive about cold calling students. There are many good reasons: not wanting to embarrass students; thinking students will not be able to answer prompts due to lack of knowledge or inability to articulate ideas; and fear of removing any and all desire from selected students to participate in the future. Educators have many reservations in the classroom that unintentionally discourage L2 learners from speaking. These fears handicap learners. Rushing through material in fear of not covering enough, allowing only students who volunteer to participate, or making classwork too easy are all practices that are detrimental to overall learning. Setting a low standard results in minimal progress, if any.
In this workshop, which will flow more like a hyper-speed class demo, come ready to experience the "luke-warm" call, the discussion tracker, and the silent debate. Get techniques that require instructors to speak less and focus more on facilitating discussions by setting an environment that expects and encourages learners to speak up and share opinions. Be prepared to share best practices from your classroom.
Target group: 6 grade and above of all levels of proficiency
Bio:
Jasmine Taiwo has a bachelor's degree in English Literature from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. She is currently completing a TESOL certification through Global Leadership College. She arrived in Jeonju, Jeollabuk, Korea in November 2008, and spent a little over a year teaching in private institutions, but spent a majority of the time as a conversation instructor in a private boarding high school in Jeonju. She currently works as an ESL instructor at Global Prodigy Academy, an alternative international school, also in Jeonju. She is the Membership Coordinator for KOTESOL’s Jeonju-North Jeolla Chapter. Her hobbies include reading nonfiction, salsa dancing, writing, and spending time with her two daughters.
Email: jasminetaiwo@gmail.com
Blog: officialtaiwo@blogspot.com
