Gwangju-Jeonnam KOTESOL August Chapter Meeting

Gwangju-Jeonnam Chapter August Meeting

Time: Saturday, July 18, 2015, 1:45 - 5:00
Place: Chosun University Main Building (Gwangju), 4th Floor, Room 4211

1:45 pm: Sign-in and Meet-and-Greet    (Admission is free. Future membership is welcomed.)

2:00 - 2:30 pm:  Mini-Presentation 1
What Every EFL Teacher Should Let Their Students Know About Learning English
Dr. David Shaffer (Chosun University, Gwangju)

2:30 - 3:00 pm Mini-Presentation 2
Sneaking Learning into Pop Songs
Trevor Homeniuk (Sahmyook Elementary School. Gwangju)

3:00 - 3:20 pm: Refreshment Break

3:20 - 4:45 pm: Super Summer SwapShop Session
Share your Teaching Ideas, Classroom Activities, and Teaching Wisdom with the group.
**Everyone is asked to come prepared with at least one item to present -- whether 1-5 minutes or 5-10 minutes in length. Handouts welcomed.

4:45 - 5:00 pm: Announcements / Drawing for Door Prizes / Closing

6:00 pm: After-meeting Dinner

--- August 2015 Chapter Newsletter attached as PDF file at bottom of this webpage. ---

Presentation Synopses and Presenter Bio-Sketches
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What Every EFL Teacher Should Let Their Students Know About Learning English

Dr. David Shaffer

As educators in Korea, we often take it for granted that our students are aware of the basic concepts and strategies related to the learning of English. But the truth is that they often aren't. It is our duty as English teachers to make our students aware of what are effective ways of learning, what are less efficient ways, and what they can do to make their English learning more effective and more enjoyable.

Students need to know the difference between English “study” and “learning.” The term most often used in Korea is “English study,” and what it is mainly used to refer to is to studying the artifacts and the facts related to English – mainly the words and the grammar of English.

Students need to know that much more than mere classroom study is required. And it must be realized that English is a “skill” that needs to be learned, or acquired, rather than being just another academic subject such as history or social studies.

Students need to know how set up an effective self-guided language-learning program, students need to first realize that to learn English, vocabulary and grammar-rule memorization is not enough, a good test score is not enough, and classroom-style study is not enough. They need to know that, in addition, they need to also have unstructured learning practice.

Students need know how to set language learning goals for themselves – long-term goals, medium-term goals, as well as short-term goals. Too many learners merely decide to “study TOEIC” because that is what their short-sighted, goal-less classmates are doing. Students need to know that interaction in English with others is also essential for language learning to progress naturally.

Students also need to know that reflection on their own learning methods and goals at regular intervals is essential and that readjustment to make their goals more realistic and their methods more effective is necessary. Our students need teacher guidance in creating self-guided language learning programs that will work effectively for them.

The Presenter
David E. Shaffer (PhD Linguistics) is a long-time educator in Korea and long-time KOTESOL member. He is a professor at Chosun University, teaching English majors in the graduate and undergraduate programs. Dr. Shaffer is the author of several books on learning English as well as on Korean language, customs, and poetry. His present academic interests include learner autonomy, effective teaching techniques, loanwords, and professional development. Within KOTESOL, Dr. Shaffer is presently Gwangju-Jeonnam Chapter President, National Publications Committee Chair, and a member of several committees, including the International and National Conference Committees.

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Sneaking Learning into Pop Songs

Trevor Homeniuk

Giving students agency to direct their studies could ideally serve to help calm their high-pressure academic investment. Enjoyable strategies and content for both the learner and educator seem ideal for relieving such pressure. Incorporating my passion for music into lessons has aided in student language acquisition and has helped make my classrooms enjoyable learning spaces.

As students are consistently confronted with catchy tunes in public places and at home, wouldn’t taking advantage of such exposure by creating a correlation to a lesson be effective? Lyrics can easily be manipulated to give students a comprehension challenge as well as an academic earworm. A simple activity that modifies lyrics of popular songs can help direct a student’s thought towards target language. Also, in the case of mistaking lyrics for mondegreens, like “Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Gordon Sun…”, native speakers and English learners alike can be shown weaknesses in a humorous way. The dissonance discovered in this misunderstanding of lyrics can add humor to a class while revealing a person’s second language awareness and abilities.

Bringing music into the classroom through an organic and enjoyable presentation is important to keep students' attention and can ease the facilitation of a student’s learning. Can educators further explore comprehension or phonemic weakness in classrooms by changing popular song lyrics? Would recognizing such weakness help a student in their ability to interpret English? A musical approach to maintain a balance between fun and function through music study will be the focus of this presentation.

The Presenter
Trevor Homeniuk (BEd, BFA) has taught for six years in both Korea and Canada. He studied experiential outdoor education, primary and junior education, and digital media art in Canada. His present academic interests include place-based outdoor education, inquiry-based learning, self-assessment, and art education. In 2010 in Gwangju, Trevor co-created the “Green Seed” English environmental awareness program, which has since expanded and is currently being taught to elementary students around the city. Trevor joined KOTESOL in 2014 and is thankful to be part of a local professional-learning community. He currently teaches Language Arts at Sahmyook Elementary School in Gwangju.

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Below: Chosun University Main Building. Use left entrance for the meeting room (Rm 4211).