Tag: students.

Teaching Letter Sounds To Preschoolers.

Teaching letter sounds to young students is very important for their acquisition process.

Young Students at my School in Vietnam

Words With No Meaning

Imagine a toddler’s world full of symbols they see but can’t decipher. I remember when I first recognized the critical role of teaching letter sounds – that aha moment when a child connects sounds to letters is nothing short of magical. Teaching these sounds is the starting point to opening up a universe of words, a fundamental part of early learning that sets the stage for reading and spelling success.

Phonemic awareness.

The ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words is a crucial skill. I’ve seen kids need to grasp for sounds before they can read effectively. So we should teach sounds before words, in my opinion.

As a precursor to phonics, understanding letter sounds helps children in predicting how words are spelled and spoken, which is incredibly empowering for them.

And the ripple effects are vast; studies have shown time and again that strong literacy skills established in these early years have long-term academic and social benefits.

Early literacy education goes beyond the classroom. As a parent, teacher, or caregiver, you hold an incredibly vital role in a child’s literacy journey. Instilling a love for reading starts with your patience and persistence during these early stages. Teaching letter sounds can seem like a monumental task, but remember, it yields extraordinary results: confident readers and eager learners.

Embracing your role as an educator requires understanding and utilizing the right methods. These methods should never be one-size-fits-all, rather they must be personalized.

You tailor your approach based on the child’s unique learning style, interests, and pace. In the next section, we’ll explore how to create a nurturing environment that fosters this learning at home, along with practical strategies to guide your preschooler through the exciting world of letters and sounds.

Read more here about “Teaching Phonics to Young Students”

Choosing the Right Approach: Parents as Educators

In my experience, the role parents play in the early stages of a child’s education can’t be overstated. Every child is unique, and recognizing this is crucial when teaching them letter sounds. It’s all about finding what clicks for your child and nurturing that spark of comprehension.

First off, creating a learning environment at home doesn’t require a classroom setting. A comfortable corner with good lighting and access to books and learning materials would suffice. The aim is to make this space inviting and distraction-free, where concentration on learning activities can occur naturally.

Now, not all children respond to the same teaching methods. I’ve seen that firsthand. You may need to experiment with different approaches to discover what resonates with your child. Some preschoolers learn letter sounds more effectively through songs and rhymes, while others benefit from hands-on activities like letter tracing or puzzle solving.

Positive reinforcement is a game-changer. Be generous with praise and encouragement. When your child successfully learns a new letter sound, celebrate that achievement. It could be a high five, a sticker, or an extra story at bedtime. These rewards reinforce their success and motivate them to keep learning.

I’d say the most important thing is to be patient and persistent. Consistency is key, even if progress seems slow. Regular, short sessions are better than infrequent, longer ones which can tire a young child out and lead to frustration.

Above all, remember that learning should be joyful. When you’re enthusiastic about teaching letter sounds, your child will adopt the same attitude. This love for learning can lead to a seamless transition into engaging activities that further enhance their understanding, which I’ll discuss in the next section.

Also, check out “How to teach ESL to Kids”

Engaging Activities to Teach Letter Sounds to Preschoolers

As a parent or educator, you know that active engagement is the key to making learning resonate with preschoolers. Imagine replacing a traditional classroom approach with interactive games and activities that make the alphabet come alive for the little ones.

One effective tool is to transform learning into play. You might use colorful flashcards or felt letters to craft games that match sounds to symbols. Or consider engaging activities such as ‘letter sound hide and seek,’ where children find objects that start with a specific letter.

In this digital age, technology is a supportive ally. Smartly chosen apps and educational videos can be brilliant resources to help young minds grasp phonics. Look for apps that are specifically designed for preschoolers and focus on phonics fundamentals. Remember to supervise screen time and intersperse tech activities with hands-on learning.

Don’t overlook the power of embedding education into the fabric of everyday life. Encourage your child to listen for the beginning sounds of items you encounter on a trip to the grocery store, or create a bedtime story ritual that emphasizes the sounds of specific letters.

Monitoring Progress and Overcoming Challenges

When I teach letter sounds to preschoolers, I follow through with monitoring their progress. This not only helps me understand how well they are grasping the concepts, but it also indicates when I might need to adjust my methods.

I set realistic milestones tailored to their pace of learning. For example, recognizing the sounds of the first few alphabets might be an initial goal. This approach alleviates pressure and helps build confidence in children.

Addressing common difficulties is another aspect I focus on. I have strategies in place for when a child struggles with a particular sound, like breaking it down further or using different learning aids.

Finally

Understanding when to seek additional support is crucial. Consider consulting with early education specialists or speech therapists if consistent efforts don’t yield progress. They can provide expert advice and resources tailored to each child’s needs.

Steve

Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.

There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.

You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

EFL Student Warm Up Questions.

Warm up questions are important to get your students thinking about speaking in English in the ESL classroom.

Teach ESL Talking

You must become an expert in teaching conversational skills if you want to help your students become better speakers. You must be able to encourage your students to talk, guide the discussion along, offer constructive criticism, and make everything seem natural. Additionally, you need interesting subjects, which is what this tutorial is all about.

Knowing what to discuss with students is one of the challenges a teacher may encounter. When you realize that only five minutes have passed after finishing your conversation about the daily topic or lesson, what do you do?

Selecting a specific topic for a class is a wonderful idea. After you have that subject, proceed through the questions, making an effort to get the students to talk as much as they can.

Basic Questions for ESL Learners

Here is a list of questions to warm up your students and get them thinking in English. I always like to start a lesson with 30 minutes of talking, using games if it is age-appropriate. More on games with links later.

Also check out the ESL teacher survival guide on Amazon, downloadable or paperback version. About $22.00 US for Kindle and $25.00 for paperback. Go the download… Your Special Amazon Link.

ESL survival guide

School.

  1. Do you like school?
  2. What is your favorite subject?
  3. What is your least favorite subject?
  4. Who is your favorite teacher?
  5. Why do people have to go to school?
  6. Do you like homework?
  7. What would you do if you were the headteacher?
  8. How could schools be more fun?
  9. How long are the summer holidays?
  10. Can you learn and have fun at the same time?

Family

  1. How many people are in your family?
  2. Who are they?
  3. What job does your dad do?
  4. What job does your mum do?
  5. Who cooks in your family?
  6. Is your family important to you?
  7. Which is more important, friends or family?
  8. Who is the weirdest person in your family?
  9. Are families less important nowadays than in the past?
  10. What would happen if we didn’t have families?

Home

  1. Where do you live?
  2. What is there to do in your city?
  3. What is your place like?
  4. What is your neighborhood like?
  5. Are there any parks near where you live?
  6. Have you ever lived elsewhere?
  7. How many rooms does your place have?
  8. If you moved, where would you like to live?
  9. Would you prefer to live in the city or country?
  10. Would you like to live abroad?

Learning English.

  1. Do you enjoy speaking English?
  2. What is the best way to improve your speaking?
  3. What is the best way to improve your listening?
  4. What is the best way to improve your vocabulary?
  5. What is the best way to improve your writing?
  6. What is the most difficult part of learning English?
  7. How is English different from your language?
  8. How can you be a good conversationalist?
  9. Do you read English books?
  10. Do you watch English videos?

Everyday Life

  1. What is your daily routine on weekdays?
  2. How do you usually spend your weekends?
  3. What is your favorite meal of the day? Why?
  4. How do you usually travel to work or school?
  5. What is your favorite season and why?
  6. What’s your favorite local restaurant or café?
  7. What is your favorite way to relax after a long day?
  8. What is one thing you can’t live without? Why?
  9. How often do you go shopping for groceries or clothes?
  10. What’s something you want to learn how to do?

Travel and Culture

  1. Have you ever traveled to a foreign country? What was your experience like?
  2. If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go and why?
  3. What is the most interesting cultural festival or event you have attended or heard of?
  4. How does the cuisine in your country differ from that in other countries you know about?
  5. Can you describe a traditional outfit or costume from your culture?
  6. What are some customs or traditions from your culture that others might find surprising?
  7. What cultural differences have you noticed between your country and others?
  8. Is there a language you would love to learn? Why?
  9. What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen in your travels?
  10. How do you think traveling affects a person’s view of the world?

Hypothetical Situations

  1. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be and why?
  2. If you could live in any era of history, when would you choose and why?
  3. If you had a superpower, what would it be, and how would you use it?
  4. What would you do if you won a million dollars?
  5. If you could have dinner with any person from history, who would it be and why?
  6. If you could instantly learn any skill, what would it be?
  7. Imagine you’re stranded on a deserted island. What three items would you want to have with you?
  8. If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be and why?
  9. What would your perfect day look like?
  10. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?

There are hundreds of questions you can think up and these are examples only. Make sure you use age and culture-appropriate questions. You know your students, so tailor the questions to their age and skill level.

Also mixing them up in games is a great way to engage your students. If you are serious about ESL you should be building a resource bank and the books I have suggested are a basic staple, invest in your profession.

Games You Can Play.

You can get 101 games to play in an ESL classroom for as little as $10 or on kindle unlimited $0. Check it out NOW at Amazon. Downloadable instantly.

Kindle amazon

  1. Two Truths and a Lie: Participants state two true facts and one false fact about themselves. The rest of the class tries to guess which one is the lie.
  2. Role-play Conversations: Create scenarios (like ordering in a restaurant, asking for directions, etc.) where multiple students must act out a conversation in pairs or small groups.
  3. Picture Storytelling: Show a random picture and ask students to create a story around it. This can be done individually or in groups.
  4. Charades with Vocabulary: Students act out a word without speaking while others guess. Focus on new vocabulary or themes you’re studying.
  5. Find Someone Who: Prepare a list of statements (e.g., “Find someone who has visited another country”). Students must find classmates who match these statements.
  6. Word Association Game: Start with one word, and each student quickly says a word associated with the previous one. This can be tailored to the lesson’s vocabulary.
  7. Sentence Building Race: Give students a set of words and challenge them to create the longest, grammatically correct sentence.
  8. Cultural Exchange: Students share something about their culture or country, fostering cross-cultural understanding and conversation.
  9. ‘What’s in the Bag?’ Game: Place several objects in a bag. Students reach in, feel an object, and describe it (without looking) to the class.
  10. Alphabet Story: Create a story where each sentence begins with the following letter of the alphabet. Each student adds a sentence.
  11. Memory Challenge: Display a list of words for a minute. Hide them and then ask students to recall as many words as possible.
  12. Pictionary with Vocabulary Words: Similar to charades, but students draw the word instead of acting it out.
  13. Taboo Words: Give a student a word to describe without using a list of commonly associated words (e.g., describe “snow” without saying “cold,” “white,” or “winter”).
  14. Opinion Polls: Present a statement and ask students to move to areas of the room based on their opinion (agree, disagree, unsure). They then discuss their reasons.
  15. ESL Bingo: Create bingo cards with different characteristics or experiences. Students mingle to find classmates who match the squares and form a bingo.

And check out my blog, ESL Games for Adults.

Why Asking Questions is Important.

Asking questions to ESL (English as a Second Language) students is important for several reasons. Firstly, it helps to assess their understanding of the material being taught. By asking questions, teachers can gauge the students’ comprehension and identify areas that may need further explanation or practice.

Secondly, asking questions encourages ESL students to actively participate in the learning process. It can help them practice their English language skills, such as speaking and listening, and build their confidence in using the language.

Additionally, asking questions allows teachers to tailor their instruction to meet the specific needs of ESL students. It provides an opportunity to address any confusion or misconceptions that may arise during the learning process.

Teaching Online.

Final Thoughts.

Asking questions to ESL students is a valuable tool for promoting engagement, assessing understanding, and providing targeted support to help them succeed in learning English.

Don’t fall back on textbooks for teaching, use the resources of your brain and make better English speakers of your students.

My name is Stephen and I have been teaching ESL for over 15 years and have my own school. I also place teachers across Vietnam into both private and public schools. I am also the author and owner of this website.

You can check out my school on the YouTube link below.

Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.

There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.

You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

My name is Stephen and if you want to find work as a teacher in Vietnam, I can help. That’s what I do. Bringing the world together one step at a time.

 

 

Tips For Teaching English Online.

This will help you if you are an English teacher teaching online.

Knowing your Students. 

Knowing your students makes all the difference.

And the first step is to introduce yourself and learn your students names, however difficult they may be to pronounce. You may want to introduce nicknames if you can’t master the tones of their language.

When you teach English online, you encounter learners from diverse backgrounds with unique needs. You’ll want to understand these differences and tailor your teaching strategies accordingly. For instance, some students might be visual learners while others prefer auditory methods or hands-on activities.

This brings us to the next piece of the puzzle: your virtual classroom. Creating an environment that’s both welcoming and conducive to learning is key. This isn’t just about having a stable internet connection or using a quality webcam; it’s also about the digital tools and platforms you choose. From whiteboard apps to interactive quizzes, the right tech can transform a lesson from mundane to memorable.

Now, let’s talk about cultural sensitivity. You’re going to be engaging with students from around the globe, and each one of them comes from a rich cultural tapestry that shapes their learning perspective. Understanding and respecting these differences are not just professional; they’re essential to creating an inclusive and effective learning experience.

I’m here to help you make those connections between students’ backgrounds and their learning processes. By doing so, you’ll be setting them—and yourself—up for a much more enriching educational journey.

So what comes after setting this foundation for success? You guessed it: engaging them with effective teaching techniques, which is exactly what we’re going to explore next.

Engaging and Effective Teaching Techniques

I’m going to share a secret with you: the best English teachers are magicians. They transform the screen into a stage and captivate their audience with words. How do they do it? Interactive tools, storytelling, and adaptive feedback are their wands.

First up, interactive tools and resources make a huge difference. I’m talking about quizzes, polls, and games that students can participate in real time.

These are not just fun; they’re essential for keeping attention spans hooked. Use platforms like Kahoot! or Quizlet to create dynamic learning sessions that feel like play.

QuizletStorytelling

That brings us to storytelling. Stories carry the power to transport us to different worlds, and they can do the same for your students. Introduce a complex grammatical structure within the context of a captivating tale. You’re going to find out that narrative context makes abstract concepts much more digestible.

Feedback.

I can’t stress enough how important feedback is. This isn’t just about correcting errors. it’s also about praising efforts and guiding students toward self-improvement. Strive for a balance of positive reinforcement and constructive critique. Remember, feedback is a two-way street, encourage students to give their thoughts on lessons as well.

Choose techniques that resonate with you, because your passion will shine through and enhance the learning experience. And don’t worry too much about each session being perfect; teaching is a journey, and you can always adjust your approach down the road.

You can find some of the best FREE online tools here. Free OnlineTools

Sustaining Motivation and Retention.

Keeping students motivated in an online English class can be just as challenging as the teaching itself. But don’t worry too much about it.

I have some strategies that I use that will help you sustain your students’ motivation and thus increase retention over time.

Goal setting with students is more than just a buzzword. it’s a practical way to steer their learning journey. You’re going to find out about the effectiveness of setting clear, achievable objectives that align with their ambitions. This isn’t just about learning English; it’s also about connecting the language skills to their future success.

Building a community online might seem like a lofty goal, but it’s achievable with the right approach. Choose something that resonates with you, whether it’s group projects, discussion forums, or virtual coffee breaks. These approaches foster a sense of belonging and can turn a disparate group of online learners into a tight-knit community.

Lastly

Your first attempt doesn’t need to be your last when it comes to keeping lessons fresh. Just don’t focus too much on perfection. A lot is happening very quickly in the world of online education, and there’s a lot of opportunity to experiment with new content and teaching methods.

Adaptability is your friend here; you can always adjust your approach down the road.

My name is Steve, hope this helps.

If you like this check out my blogs on speech -to -script and script-to-speech tools on my YouTube site.

youtube link

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Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.

There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.

You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

Please give me your thoughts, what do you think? Good or bad. Leave a comment below.

Free ESL Lesson Plan for Kids

Lesson plans should be a part of your skillset as an EFL or ESL teacher. Using this time wisely will help a lot when you are in the classroom.

Building a Lesson Plan.

Building a lesson plan is essential if you want a defined outcome for your class. Students and some teachers need structure and a determined direction to move from one learning point to another. And even though you may feel that “after 15 years I can wing it easily”. A lesson plan is like the “ABCs” of learning English. A good lesson starts with a good lesson plan.

I have wanted to provide free lesson plans for all classes. However, after thinking about it I believe each teacher is unique much like their students. And we should be doing our own lesson plans depending on the teaching styles we use. 

For example, I use the T.P.R style of teaching or Total Physical Response as it fits in with my personality. T.P.R revolves around using all aspects of communication to teach English. I use body language, visual representations like flashcards or newspaper clippings, and music to enhance my lessons.

Wikipedia has a good understanding of TPR and click the link to find out more.

Mapping Out a Lesson Plan.

It does not take long to map out a good lesson plan and there are a lot of different resources on the internet that can help, from templates to word searches and everything in between.

The following is the lesson I did tonight for fifteen 8-year-olds who need movement in the class to help stimulate the brain cells.

This is what I wrote and what I did. I do not keep rigidly to a lesson plan and if something doesn’t work I will drop it immediately and use something else. What you should take away from that statement is “always have an extra 15-minute segment” that you can use in the classroom if something you have planned does not work.

Also, look at How to Design a Lesson Plan.

Free Beginners ESL Lesson Plan for Body Parts.

I keep my lesson plans short and then that gives me enough room to improvise depending on the students’ questions or responses. The best attribute a teacher can bring to the classroom is the ability to think on one’s feet. 

My class size was 15 students and the class time was 1 hour and 30 minutes. I think this is the best length for an 8-year-old class without them getting bored. At 8 years old you still need to move them from activity to activity to keep their minds engaged in learning.

I broke my lesson down into 4 parts.

1. Introduction.

We had two new students starting so I wanted everyone to introduce themselves. At this level, it is not the easiest thing for the students unless you provide an outline for them to write. If you look up ESL introduction templates or images you will have a wide selection to choose from. This is what I chose tonight.

I usually do my class time allotment in 5-minute blocks for younger children and I estimated this would take 3 blocks or 15 minutes.

By the time I had explained everything and the children had written and filled in the gaps, we were on the 11-minute mark.

I then got the children to read and they did a pretty good job so I rewarded them with “points.” It took about 20 minutes for these exercises to be finished.

I used ESL Printables for this.

What’s This Points Thing?

At the start of the class, even before we did the introduction worksheet I split the class into two teams, Boys and Girls. Vietnam is very competitive and it can really help in learning and class control at this age.

There are 8 girls and 7 boys in this class, so thankfully a perfect (almost) split. Otherwise, I would go A and B. The reason I use teams is if they do a good job, I reward them and if they are noisy I will penalize them. Peer pressure is quite a deterrent at this age, and anything that helps in their learning works for me too.

Also at the start of the class, I will go around the class with the alphabet and if anyone gets the letter wrong they lose a point to the opposing team.  

I do the same with days of the week and months of the year and numbers from one to 50. It is a great way to review the basics or go over a past lesson.

2) Body Parts Game and Video.

Because my whole lesson revolves around learning new body parts and learning the correct pronunciation I use all the different TPR styles that I can in 90 minutes. 

The game is very basic but extremely funny. The students must follow you in touching various body parts. You get them to watch and participate 4-5 times and then they have to do it (as a group) alone. For example, I will say…touch your nose…touch your eyes…touch your mouth, etc, and they must follow your actions. I one team member gets it wrong they lose a point to the opposing team.

I break it up with, stand up, sit down, and raise your left arm (watch how many copy and still follow with the right hand) Thus you have to teach left and right. I blocked this out for 2 units of time followed by a video that ran for 5 minutes. 

I improvised after the great video and handed out a sheet of paper for the students to listen, follow, and draw the face that was explained in the video. It was an easy video for the students to follow and we all had a lot of fun. We ended up watching the video twice because of the improvised drawing and the time stretched out to a 25-minute block.

3. Body Parts Writing and Matching.

After a few minutes of very noisy activity, I had to quiet them down and get back to doing some writing and matching words to their respective body parts. There are a lot of great worksheets for this and this is the one I used today.

Body Parts

After the students completed this chart, we read out the body part names for pronunciation purposes and then we had a flashcard game. This game uses the “family and friends” body part flashcards. 

I then go individually through the flashcards pronouncing the words and placing them face down on the ground so the students do not know which card is which. I then choose one person from each team to come and pick a card that I have asked for. I may have said “I want a nose”, and they may pick up an arm…Lol, no points. If they get the correct card then it is 2 points for the team.

I estimated this would take up 3 blocks of time or 15 minutes and I was almost correct, it went for 20-plus minutes because the children didn’t want to stop. If you are looking for Flash Card games click on the link to an older post.

4) Wordsearch and Final Game.

Even though I am not a big supporter of word searches as they can sometimes be overused by teachers who don’t want to teach, I do sporadically use them myself. Especially for the younger students and as a reward if the lesson has gone well and the students seem to have absorbed the content of the lesson

.This word search is from English 4Kids.

You can also use these types to elicit the spelling of the words from the students. This took about 10 minutes.

My Final activity was reinforcing the new vocabulary by getting them to stand up, touch your eyes, nose, mouth, hair, etc.

The Girls won and then we all went home. 

Final Thoughts.

It needn’t take a lot of time to write a lesson plan and it should be flexible enough to change at the drop of a hat. Some of my best lessons have happened when I left the boundaries of the lesson plan. 

The lesson plan took me less than 15 minutes to do, although I have been doing them a long time and know where to get most of my resources. I also have 15 years of material for teaching in several folders. Prepping time has become much shorter.  

But a good teacher should always prepare a lesson plan for no other reason than to determine what you want to get out of today’s lesson. What improvement do you want to make to your students English skills?

Steve the ESLMAN

Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you and, you could actually save money.  Read our full affiliate disclosure here.

Is School Good or Evil?

Picture Source: My Artwork, Night Cafe. A.I generated. 

Why Are Our Schools Failing?

Amid allegations that our schools have turned into nothing more than veritable cookie cutters for half-baked executives of the future, there are instances of teachers striving for excellence.

Let us look at this question specifically, and also look at it in the light of ESL. So we will discuss the question directly as it stands and also look at it from a few different perspectives.

Firstly I would like to delve into teaching English as a second language or E.S.L.

Is Teaching ESL Cultural Imperialism?

It doesn’t matter how long you have taught ESL, the question normally arises on a night out with a few teachers over a tipple or two. Are we really providing a service or are we perpetuating the cultural dominance of the U.S.A or England? I am going to play the devils advocate and throw the questions (and phrases) into the hypothetical mix, so you can think and answer at your leisure.

  • When English is taught as a second language, it can make English-speaking cultures more dominant and make local languages less important. This can lead to the loss of cultural diversity and fewer people speaking local languages.
  • Teaching English as a global language can make countries that already speak English more powerful in politics, economics, and culture. This can keep existing power imbalances in place and make it harder for other countries to become powerful.
  • When people learn English as a second language, they often learn about Western ideas and ways of thinking. This can make local knowledge and cultural differences less important or ignored.
  • Learning English very well can make people want to be more like English-speaking people and forget about their own language and culture. This can make unique cultural identities disappear.
  • Sometimes, programs that teach English in other countries don’t treat local teachers very well or give them bad working conditions. This can make things unfair and keep richer countries in control.

ESL, Changing Lives For The Better.

And here are the responses to advocate the opposing theory that ESL teaching is not ‘Cultural Imperialism” but is really “Socially Supportive”

  • Communication and opportunity: Learning English can improve your ability to communicate, provide you more access to educational and employment opportunities, and make it easier to collaborate globally, promoting cross-cultural understanding.
  • Individual empowerment: ESL instruction can give people more confidence by giving students the means to communicate clearly in a world that is becoming more interconnected and by enabling them to actively engage in global discussions.
  • Creating a bridge between cultures: Teaching ESL can serve as a bridge between many cultures, promoting understanding, empathy, and respect for various viewpoints.
  • Language preservation: When conducted properly, ESL instruction can coexist with the maintenance and resurgence of regional tongues and cultures, fostering multilingualism and cultural variety rather than eradicating it.
  • Choice among students: Students have autonomy when choosing ESL instruction, giving them the option of participating or not. In this instance, it might be viewed as a voluntary tool for personal empowerment and advancement as opposed to a cultural mandate.

Picture Source; My Artwork, Night Cafe.  A.I generated. 

Opportunities for Schools to Reshape the Future.

There are many parents, especially in the USA who believe the schooling system has lost its way. And I am not talking about E.S.L now, but the common core subjects in a normal public school. It feels like every time I go on to any social media outlet there is a rant against what is happening in the schools. And even though I will be focusing on the USA, I feel like it is a worldwide problem.

So what is happening in the schools in the USA at the moment? The “core curriculum” feels like it is being driven by big business that need workers that are willing to work for “next to nothing” and accept the corporate B.S.

I “Googled up” “Bill Gates” and public education and the headline that came up was “The Savior of Public Schools”. I am very pleased there was a question mark at the end of the headline.

The Savior of Public Schools.

Personalized learning seems to be the buzzword and it doesn’t look unreasonable. However, there are many points I would need to cover first. Not the least being, why have “trade classes” like metalwork and woodwork been removed from the curriculum? ( I am showing my age, but it worked for the students).

Schools used to have “body shops” that provided students who weren’t quite as academically gifted as some, the opportunity to learn a career in building cars and automotive repairs. Then they could step into this job straight after school and it worked.

And “Home Economics” used to be a thing, teaching sewing and cooking and it wasn’t just stereotypically females who enrolled into these classes.

Why were these courses dropped? In hindsight, it can be seen as a bad idea. Those students who weren’t motivated to sit in front of a computer all day were absorbed in learning a trade that they saw could make them money.

Now the same students sit in the computer classes and disrupt them because they are bored. And we blame ADHD and not the education system that is failing them.

Personalized Learning.

This is now what is being promoted as the new shift in teaching. In my opinion, I see nothing new in this and I am amazed we listen to somebody who never invented their own product and only donates to “future business opportunities”.

So this is what is described as “personalized learning”

“As part of the individualized learning paradigm, teachers supervise rather than lecture. They allow children individual work and group-based projects to learn as flexibly (and in as many contexts) as possible with the use of personal laptops and tablets.

Modern technology is expensive, therefore not many schools can afford to use the individualized learning approach. However, when districts do invest in it, the concept has been successful.

According to a report released last year, for instance, many of the students in 62 schools utilizing individualized instruction outperformed their peers in arithmetic and reading. Many people who had scored below average ended up above average”

Source: Rewritten Content from the “World Economic Forum“..

Final Thoughts.

Education is something that will set us free, and it is up to the individual teacher to make the most of what we have, to educate anyone who wishes to learn.

The best way to change the world is to change one person at a time. And by that I mean educate not indoctrinate.

This is by no means my normal type of post, however, I feel like it is something I have to say. Thanks for reading, I hope it gets you thinking. And I mean that in the nicest way possible.

Stephen.

Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you and, you could actually save money.  Read our full affiliate disclosure here.

Games for ESL Adults

Classroom Games For ESL Students.

I have written this post as I am continually asked by other teachers what I do to spice up my adult ESL Lessons. And some teachers ask me directly what games can you play with adult students. So let’s dive in and take a look at what I do. 

It can be challenging to incorporate games into an English program for adult learners. Although some students like playing whenever they get the chance, many others don’t want to embarrass themselves in front of their peers or, in their opinion, squander class time. We, as teachers, are tempted to play things safe and stick to more formal language activities since we are sensitive to wasting time.

The issue with that is that you’re passing on a very useful teaching tool. English games are not only a great warm-up exercise, a nice refresher after a period of more intense study, and even a reward once your pupils get to know and love them, but they’re also an excellent way to review recently learned lessons.

The challenge is figuring out how to use them. ESL games for adults should be properly organized, relevant to current class work, and have a clear linguistic aim in mind. In a kids’ class, nearly any game will go over well at any point but we must make sure we select the appropriate games for our adult audience because not all games are made equally.

My Favorite Adult ESL Games.

Here is a list of some of my favorite games for the classroom. They are entertaining and interesting, and they were picked with older students’ needs and sensitivities in mind.

Vocabulary Showcase.

This game involves explaining a word to a teammate without using the word itself. Students must explain the selected word to their teammates. It helps with communication and vocabulary skills.

How To Play The Game.
.
Split the class into two groups. 

To begin the game, Team A will select their first competitor and Team B will do the same.
Student A from Team A should sit facing their team and the same with team b. The sitting team members are not allowed to look at the selected word or turn around and look at the board. 
The teacher starts the clock and writes a vocabulary word on the board. it is recommended to give each word two to three minutes for either team to guess. An egg timer is perfect for this as you don’t have to keep resetting a stopwatch.

As soon as the “timer” starts both teams will try to guess the word written on the board. The first sitting team member from A or B teams who guesses the word will win a point for their team. The person selected to sit will be changed after 5 words each. This should give everyone a chance to be the person in the “hot seat”.

The team that scores the most points wins.

This can get a bit noisy. but is a lot of fun and I recommend it for young adults and teenagers.

How’s Your Thing?

This game involves guessing the name of an object based on a description provided by another student. This helps students practice asking and answering questions using adjectives. 

How To Play The Game?

Once again split the class into two groups and get each team to choose one person who will be the person trying to guess the answer. These people should be replaced every 2nd or 3rd turn giving all the team members a chance in the “hot seat”.

 This game is similar to “Vocabulary Showcase” but instead of trying to guess the word from descriptions the 2 people in the “hot seat” have to guess from questions.

Team A and Team B take turns asking each other about their “thing” without saying what it is.

For example; If the selected word is “WATCH”, a person from Team A may select someone from Team B and ask them “How is your thing?”. Team B may answer “My thing is not working properly as the spring is broken and it is not winding properly” or “My things hands fell off”  The only word they can not say is “WATCH”

Team A and B take turns in asking the questions. Work out before the game who asks the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc questions otherwise, it will slow down the game if you try to do it in an ad-hoc fashion. 

This continues until either of the people in the “hot seat” guesses the word. 

This game generally needs the students to be at least at a pre-intermediate level of English.

Graffiti Me.

I could describe this game to be similar to the board game called “Pictionary.” But the difference is this game involves someone drawing a picture based on a description from another student or the Teacher. Skills involved in this game are for listening and speaking.

How To Play The Game?

My preference is for the teacher to be the facilitator of the game. You can have a pre-drawn picture or draw as you go. For example, I do some pre-teaching before the game and explain “top left-hand corner”, “top right-hand corner” etc, and “middle of the paper” as well as “horizontal” and “verticle”

I then go on to describe my pre-drawn image. You can make the image and describe it depending on the level of the class. One that I do is; 

  • Draw a horizontal line across the middle of the page. 
  • On that horizontal line draw a house with a flat roof, 4 x windows a door, and a chimney.
  • On the left-hand side of the house is a garden with 6 flowers.
  • In the left-hand corner is a plane with 8 windows and 3 birds flying overhead.
  • Etc, etc.

You then get to check the drawings, which are normally hilarious and elicit squeals of laughter. Choose the picture that is most accurate to what you have said. (If you are doing this in teams, award the team the winning persons points)

I find this can be done as a stand-alone activity that if done correctly normally takes 30 minutes from start to finish.

Truth or Dare. 

This is an old favorite that is easy to play and can be a bit more “risque” for mature students. The rules of the game are as follows.

How To Play The Game.

Players take turns asking one another “Truth or dare?” If they choose truth, they have to answer a question of the asker’s choosing. If they choose dare, the asker dares them to do something rather than make a confession. Below are some ideas for “Truth or dare”. You can find many more “Truth or Dare” questions “HERE“

Truth.

1. What was your most recent lie?

2. Describe your most embarrassing moment to date.

3. Mention a person you claimed to like but couldn’t stand.

4. Have you ever lied to your wife or husband?

5. have you ever peed in a pool?

Dare.

1. Lick your elbow.

2. Do a 3-minute “plank”

3. Eat a raw egg.

4. Spin around 10 times and try to walk straight.

5. Bark like a dog for 1 minute.

When choosing your “Dare”, make sure you don’t do anything culturally insensitive.

Two Truths and a Lie.

Students can be split into teams and are then asked to write down 2 things that are true about themselves and 1 thing that is a lie.

The students then take turns reciting one of the statements they have written. Their opponent then has to guess whether the statement is a lie or the truth.

I use this game for the weaker students as it is easy to follow and put into practice.

Other Games.

There are many different games you can modify for the classroom from standard games such as “beer pong”, “Countdown”, “Jeopardy” and “Taboo” amongst others. All these games can be used in the Adult classroom with a bit of tweaking. The effort that you put into making your lessons more enjoyable will be rewarded by the students’ happiness in attending your lessons.

Benefits of Using ESL Games for Adults. 

Any educational program benefits from including games in the classroom. Benefits include improved student engagement and novel approaches to engaging all types of learners. 

Along with;

  • Fostering social-emotional learning, activities offer chances to practice critical thinking.
  • A change from the typical language-learning schedule.
  • Encouraging and testing students as they add variety to a session.
  • Through the creation of a believable incentive to use the target language, games also boost motivation.
  • Giving students practice in speaking, writing, listening, and reading as these activities help to establish meaningful contexts for language usage. 
  • They also promote the use of language in a natural and creative way.

Because games are viewed as a “fun activity” you can achieve a lot without the students realizing they are learning at the same time. And a great additional benefit is it helps build rapport with your students, so make an effort and take the time to use games in the adult classroom. Both you and your students will be glad you did. 

Teaching ESL is a great way to see the world. If you want to learn more read my article on “How to be an ESL teacher“

Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you and, you could actually save money.  Read our full affiliate disclosure here.

How to Use Drama in the ESL Classroom.

Using Drama as a Teaching Method.

I have found drama to be a very effective classroom tool. Although it is not often used by a lot of teachers and I don’t understand why. Well, actually I do, I think. One of the thoughts maybe is that you are giving the students a chance to cause havoc in the classroom. Especially with younger students in an ESL environment. Doubly so if you can not speak the native language, class control can be more complicated. However, I have found the pros to outweigh the cons.

Your students can get more engaged in the ESL classroom by using drama because they are responsible for using their language skills in formal play. Gaining perfect intonation, developing fluency, increasing confidence, and a host of other advantages are among the advantages of using drama in the classroom. Who knows, you might discover the new Dustin Nguyen who was in 21 Jump Street, The Rebel, The Doom Generation, and Little Fish.

Dramatic Play.

All ages can benefit from drama for learning, although few educators or institutions use it to its fullest extent outside of the early years.

Dramatic play and theater allow for skill development and confidence building. The students converse both verbally and non verbally. It entails acting out both the familiar and the foreign, as well as imitating and mimicking. It can be a lot of fun for the student, and if well-prepared, fun for the teacher as well.

One example could be students participating in puppetry and small-world play while assuming people’s roles from books, movies, and real life. You could draw up a great lesson involving making masks or puppets.

First Palette has a great collection of masks you can print out for the younger performer.

Children frequently behave like grownups in dramatic play and whole-class theater because they feel empowered and in charge when they do so. They act in a way that suggests they already possess the abilities and behaviors they strive for.

It takes skill to be able to engage with others in a “play” manner. Empowering their confidence through drama will also see an improvement in their English skills.

Using Drama in the ESL Classroom.

If you’ve had students do straightforward role-plays or read a conversation from their textbooks aloud, you’ve already integrated some drama into your classes. This is a good prelude to additional drama-related activities.

Expressing the passion behind the discourse and including motions or gestures, encourage children to develop their dramatic skills when reading dialogue and participating in role-plays. Students can take it a step further by creating their own dialogue and/or memorizing their lines to perform a quick skit in front of the class.

Impromptu Theater.

Impromptu theater in the classroom is yet another method. Using this impromptu drama technique, students in the intermediate to the advanced range are given a hypothetical circumstance to spontaneously act out utilizing their English vocabulary and linguistic abilities. Provide pairs of students, for instance, a scenario involving two people. Consider anything that might be hilarious, like a person having dinner and receiving sub par service in a restaurant. Give the pupils their parts, then ask them to perform the scene. For larger classes of students, improvisation exercises are also an option.

Let’s do a Class Play.

Another fantastic approach to introduce theater to your pupils is through a class play. You could begin by reading a brief narrative or performing a play in class. Finally, allot class time to studying lines and practicing parts, assigning kids to various roles, or letting them choose their own. A class production of the play marks the culmination of the program. If you can, incorporate straightforward costumes and props. I have found that the older the student, the fewer props are needed. The younger students almost need the mask or prop to help them escape into the realm of fantasy.

Repetition and reading your lines for ESL

By repetition, students pick up the language and retain it. Although repeating the same lines repeatedly could seem tedious, your pupils will be more inclined to do it as they get more adept at remembering their lines.

Try to spice things up throughout the practices by having the pupils experiment with various acting techniques and movements. I will ask the students to perform sentences or phrases in various “moods.” For instance, I might ask them to perform a sentence while acting mad, in love, or angry. You will learn who the outgoing student in your class is, which is usually hilarious.

You can also get your “actors” to deliver their lines as fast or as slow as they can. I like to do the speed test with “tongue twisters”. You can imagine what it is like when reading out this tongue twister fast.

“Peter Piper” and the “Woodchuck” tongue twister are always favorites for this lesson and well worth making the effort to do. I also have “Challenge the Teacher” A lot of fun.

Writing for ESL Plays

If teaching a pre-intermediate, intermediate, or higher class I will ask the students to write their own dialogue. Most of the class books will have some form of dialogue in the back of the book or now with “ChatGPT” you can print out a prearranged copy as an example. But get the student to write their own play, yours should just be used as an example.

A Funny Play by Chat GPT.

[Scene: A cafe. Two friends, Alice and Bob, are sitting at a table with coffee and pastries.]

Alice: So, how’s school going for you?

Bob: Oh, you know. Same old, same old. Classes, homework, exams, stress.

Alice: Yeah, I hear you. School can be tough sometimes.

Bob: Sometimes? More like all the time. Especially with Mr. Smith as our math teacher.

Alice: Oh, don’t get me started on Mr. Smith. He’s the worst.

Bob: I know, right? He’s so boring and strict and mean.

Alice: And he gives us so much homework. It’s like he doesn’t want us to have any fun.

Bob: Or any sleep.

Alice: Or any life.

Bob: Exactly. He’s ruining our lives.

Alice: And he’s so bad at explaining things. Half the time I don’t understand what he’s talking about.

Bob: Me neither. He just writes a bunch of numbers and symbols on the board and expects us to figure it out.

Alice: And he never answers our questions. He just says “read the textbook” or “look it up online”.

Bob: Or “you should know this by now”.

Alice: Or “this is basic stuff”.

Bob: Or “this is not rocket science”.

Alice: Or “this is elementary, my dear Watson”.

Bob: Wait, what?

Alice: Yeah, he said that to me once when I asked him to explain a problem.

Bob: He did? That’s hilarious.

Alice: No, it’s not. It’s annoying.

Bob: Come on, it’s kind of funny. He thinks he’s Sherlock Holmes or something.

Alice: Well, he’s not. He’s more like Professor Moriarty.

Bob: Ooh, good one.

Alice: Thanks.

Bob: You’re welcome.

[They laugh.]

Alice: But seriously, though. We need to do something about him.

Bob: Like what?

Alice: I don’t know. Maybe we can prank him somehow.

Bob: Prank him? How?

Alice: I don’t know. Maybe we can switch his chalk with cheese or something.

Bob: Cheese?

Alice: Yeah, cheese. You know, like in cartoons.

Bob: That’s silly.

Alice: Well, do you have a better idea?

Bob: Hmm… maybe we can hack his computer and change his grades.

Alice: Change his grades? To what?

Bob: To F’s.

Alice: F’s?

Bob: Yeah, F’s. For fail.

Alice: But that would be mean.

Bob: So? He’s mean to us.

Alice: True. But still…

Bob: Fine. How about we change his grades to A+’s?

Alice: A+’s?

Bob: Yeah, A+’s. For awesome.

Alice: But that would be nice.

Bob: So? He deserves some recognition for his hard work.

Alice: Really?

Bob: No, not really. I’m just kidding.

[They laugh.]

Alice: You’re funny.

Bob: Thanks. You’re funny too.

Alice: Thanks.

[They smile at each other.]

[End of scene.]

The Role of the Teacher.

My preference is to remain as a facilitator and direct the class into which areas to move. For example, starting an impromptu play or a class play. Or practicing your lines or writing a play. Some classes prefer the teacher to perform the role of the facilitator while others like the teacher to take a more hands-on approach, with the teacher performing in the play as well.

Some students, especially younger students love seeing their teacher in a role outside of the normal teacher role. It will intrigue the students to see their “foreign teacher” taking on a different role and can make the lesson a very memorable one.

More Drama Activities for the ESL Classroom.

Once again we are only limited by our imaginations. Here are some more excellent ideas for the ESL classroom, especially for warm-up and cool-down exercises.

Final Thoughts.

Using drama as a teaching tool incorporates other positives as well. Students have high energy levels and can get restless just sitting and reading or writing, they will be more enthusiastic if they get a chance to move around. This means they are demonstrating T.P.R ( Total Physical Response) whether they know it or not.

You will also have an insight into the student’s personalities when you see how they relate to others in this more relaxed environment. Do the students assume the roles of leaders or are they more apt at stepping back into the shadows? This will help you design other lessons and approaches to learning for your students who may have different needs.

And if you are doing this lesson at the start of your teaching tenure, it is a great way to break the ice with your new students. It will positively set the tone for future lessons and will give you instant recognition as being a good caring teacher.

Done in the correct way and using a lot of what we have talked about will put you in a good place with your students for future classes.

Stephen.

Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you and, you could actually save money. Read our full affiliate disclosure here

How to Use Canva for the ESL Classroom.

Using Canva as a tool to generate enthusiasm in your classroom should not be overlooked as it is a powerful and helpful suite of products.

Who is Canva?

Canva, an Australian business with a global reach, was established in 2013. Now, it has offices in Beijing, Manila, and Sydney.

To enable everyone worldwide to design anything and publish anywhere, Canva is an online design and publishing platform. It is used to make presentations, social media graphics, and more. The app offers users pre-made templates and all the tools necessary to create their original creations. Undoubtedly, Canva is my go-to tool for all my graphic design needs.

Canva in the Classroom.

You can design and customize lesson plans, infographics, posters, videos, and more using Canva, a platform for visual communication and collaboration. Canva may be used in various ways to teach English in your classroom. Here are some recommendations based on the results of your web search.

Getting started Canva for Education.

Canva provides a lot of training tools for all the areas it covers.

Register for Education Uses.

Teachers and students at qualified schools can register for Canva for Education, which is a free tool. To access services like LMS integrations (Learning Management Systems), the sharing of work and assignments with students, thousands of top-notch educational templates, and more, you can become verified at Canva.

For your upcoming lesson, presentation, or task for class, you can select from a collection of ready-to-use templates. Also, you can design your templates or edit pre-existing ones to fit your requirements.

You can sign up as an educator through this link. “Register here“

Create and Communicate.

You can create and communicate in any format, including documents, presentations, videos, websites, and whiteboards, by using Canva’s visual work suite. Canva’s photo and video editor can improve your photos and videos. As the old saying goes, you are limited only by your imagination. I have been using Canva for 2 years and the more I use it, the more things I find I can use on it.

And, you can collaborate with other teachers and students using Canva’s team features. All while inviting others to join your team, share your designs, comment and give feedback, and edit together in real time.

To connect with other educators who use Canva, join the Canva Teachers Community on Facebook. You can also become an education creator and create and publish your resources on Canva.

Sharing Your Designs.

You may share your creations with your pupils in various ways on Canva. Here are some options for sharing.

Your creations can be shared by links from the editor or the main page. You have the option of selecting the recipients of your sharing as well as the types of permissions you wish to grant, such as the ability to view, modify, or comment. Also, you can use a template link, watch link or view-only link. You can view and adjust permissions via the settings button as shown below.

You can also find more about sharing via email here and Canva’s team features. You can email your designs to particular recipients. You can type in your students’ email addresses and select whether to grant view-only, edit-only, or comment-only access.

Your designs can be exported, and then you can add them to a Google Classroom assignment. When you click the Export option, you can select whether you want to export your designs as an image or a PDF.

When you click the Export option, you can select whether you want to export your designs as an image or a PDF. Using Canva’s team capabilities is a great way to teach and learn together. You can ask your pupils to join your team so that you can collaborate on real-time editing while sharing your designs and receiving comments from them.

Instill Best Practices with your Students.

Here are some bullet points of how I use Canva.

  • You can use Canva to help your students visualize and communicate their ideas and solutions.
  • Design your lesson plan with Canva. You can use Canva to create and personalize your lesson plans, infographics, posters, videos, and more.
  • Discover other educators’ lesson plans on Canva. You can find lesson plans written by other educators on Canva’s Teaching Materials page. You can browse by subject, grade level, or topic. You can also use them as inspiration or customize them to suit your needs.
  • Use Canva to help your students create learning portfolios that showcase their work and progress throughout the year. You can also use them as a revision and review tool.
  • Create presentations and videos with Canva. You can use Canva to create engaging and interactive presentations and videos for your lessons or assignments.
  • Build a brand for your classroom with Canva. You can use Canva to create a consistent and professional look for your classroom materials and communications.
  • Make group projects more appealing with Canva. You can use Canva to make group projects more fun and collaborative for your students.
  • Use Canva for setting up remote learning.

Final Thoughts.

There are so many tools you can use from Canva that it will “blow your mind” As teachers, we are always looking for new ways to engage with our students, and with a bit of preparation, you can make your lessons a lot more fun and interesting.

I would love to hear if you have been using Canva. Either as a teacher or for your business or even for fun.

Stephen.

Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you and, you could actually save money. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.

Chat GPT for Educators.

What is Chat GPT?

A recent advancement in artificial intelligence called Chat GPT enables computers to comprehend and reply to input in natural language. It was developed by San Francisco-based OpenAI, a startup with close ties to Microsoft.

This technology represents a substantial advancement in artificial intelligence and is based on the most recent developments in language processing and machine learning. Deep learning is used by Chat GPT to analyze data from different sources, then use that information to provide answers to any questions being asked. Then, as you wait for your question, it will search its database and reply in microseconds to what is being asked.

What is Deep learning?

Where can It Be Used?

Customer service, sales, marketing assistance, human resources, legal, and government, are just some of the things it can be used for. It can be used wherever natural language is required, such as in chatbots and virtual assistants.

This technology will change the way we interact with computers, and it is a major advance in artificial intelligence.

How Much is Chat GPT?

Currently, Chat GPT is free. And for something that Elon Musk says is “scary Good”, how can that be?

ChatGPT had more than 1 million users in the first five days of its launch, according to OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman. And ChatGPT is the fastest-growing app in the whole world, said Swiss bank UBS. About two months after its debut, UBS analysis predicted ChatGPT would have 100 million active users by January (It was right). It is also attracting 96 million new visitors a month and its revenue is expected to hit 1 billion dollars by the end of 2024. Source. Gitnux, Chat GPT statistics.

Comparatively, TikTok reached 100 million users in nine months. Do you think with a customer base like that, it will remain free? The computer costs alone must be astronomical and I can’t see any business that could continue to absorb those costs.

Monetization.

Open AI’s Sam Altman admitted that will eventually need to be monetized because of its “eye-watering” compute costs, Musk was informed that the average cost of each response was in the “single-digits cents”. With 100 million users asking multiple questions even single-digit cents will be adding up.

Can Chat GPT help Educators?

As teachers, we must be asking ourselves the question “Can we ethically use Chat GPT in the classroom or even outside the classroom in pursuit of school business? can we use it for writing tests, or even putting together lesson plans or sample “papers” for the classroom, or even for marking tests. let us first look at what can be done before we discuss the moral and ethical implications of Chat GPT or any of the other A.I. programs out there.

What AI Programs are in the Market Now?

1. VoicePen AI: Convert audio content into blog posts, using AI.

https://voicepen.ai

2. Krisp: AI tool for removing background voices, noises, and echoes from calls.

https://krisp.ai/

3. Beatoven: AI tool for creating custom royalty-free music.

https://www.beatoven.ai/

4. Cleanvoice: AI tool for automatically editing podcast episodes.

https://cleanvoice.ai/

5. Podcastle: AI tool for studio-quality recording from your computer.

https://podcastle.ai/

6. Vidyo: AI tool for making short-form videos from long-form content.

https://vidyo.ai/

7. Maverick: AI tool for generating personalized videos at scale.

https://lnkd.in/eptCVijb

8. Soundraw: AI tool for creating original music.

https://soundraw.io/

9. Otter: AI tool for capturing and sharing insights from meetings.

https://otter.ai/

Copy and Content AI Tools:

—————————

1. Copy: AI tool for generating copy that increases conversions.

https://www.copy.ai/

2. CopyMonkey: AI tool for creating Amazon listings in seconds.

http://copymonkey.ai/

3. Ocoya: AI tool for creating and scheduling social media content.

https://www.ocoya.com/

4. Unbounce Smart Copy: AI tool for writing high-performing cold emails at scale.

https://unbounce.com/

5. Puzzle: AI tool for building a knowledge base for your team and customers.

https://www.puzzlelabs.ai/

And these are just a few of them, there are a lot more out there. And as sure as eggs our students will know a lot more than we do.

How can We Use AI in the Classroom?

A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) is one of the most recent changes we’ve observed in the educational system, and it has many people concerned about the potential consequences it may have. But it will never fully replace human instructors, AI supposedly has a lot to offer in the classroom.

They have already deployed “Robot Teachers” to varied degrees of success in some places in China where they are unable to send foreign teachers (mostly due to remoteness).

Source: The Daily Mail 2019 I can almost hear the Robot teachers saying, Dr Who like, exterminate, exterminate.

What areas could we effectively use AI in the classroom?

Teaching, and teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) needs to have a human in the classroom. I have yet to come across any AI that can understand sarcasm or when describing a new word be able to articulate via body language. Also picking up different nuances in the accent requires a human ear and an electronic ear, in my books, doesn’t cut it. Not yet anyway.

The Cons of Chat GPT.

One thing we must remember is Chat GPT only has an accuracy of 85% +. And while that may be good enough for most other things, it is not good enough for marking, tutoring or any other teaching activity. But if you can build those parameters into what you are doing and still manage the results effectively then it may be a useful tool.:

Source. Gitnux Chat GPT important statistics

It’s also critical to be aware that Chat GPT is still in beta format. The website clearly states that it may yield misleading information, including outright false information. Some have discovered that, when specifically prompted, it can also produce biased and discriminatory information.

Marking or Grading.

Scantron testing and computer tests have both been used for electronic grading for many years. As AI develops, teachers may be able to delegate all assignment marking to an AI, freeing up their time to spend more time with each student individually and adapt the curriculum to fit the needs of each class.

Additional cons apart from the 85% accuracy are the need for constant internet supply and the cost. So why do it? The time saved is immensely powerful. The amount of work teachers are expected to do just keeps increasing and if we can find anything to streamline our workflow, don’t get in my way.

Tutoring.

Tutors are crucial because teachers can’t be with their pupils at all times. Some students merely require a little bit more assistance with a certain subject. Going to a tutoring lesson might be unsettling for shy students rather than meeting with a tutor. Students who struggle with social or academic anxiety may find that working with an AI tutor gives them the support and self-assurance they need to thrive in school.

Helping Students Write.

Along with Chat GPT, you also have tools like Quillbot and Grammarly. Quillbot and Grammarly have slightly different ways of doing fairly similar things. Namely, they will check the spelling, grammar, and word order of what you have written. There are both free versions and paid versions. For students, especially ESL students, the non-paid version is quite ok.

And Chat GPT and a lot of other AI writing apps may help by prompting the student with appropriate headings for the student to add extra text or information. While Chat GPT and tools like Rytr make it easier to write content, it leaves itself open for blatant copying. Not plagiarism but copying straight from what the AI writes.

This is the part of AI that scares me the most. While trying to help the students we may inadvertently end up with a generation who can not write a story without help from AI.

In Ryters own words, “Generate killer content, effortlessly. Never face writer’s block again. From blogs to emails to ad copies, auto-generate catchy, original, and high-converting copies in popular tones & languages in just a few seconds. Just pick a use case, enter some context, and boom…your copy is ready.” Source Ryter.

Lesson Plans.

Writing lesson plans eventually becomes a chore. After your 3rd or 4th year, let alone 15, lesson plans can become a certain type of hell that only teachers understand. How can you say the same thing but differently after your 6th thousand lesson plan?

This is where Chat GPT comes in handy. Simply enter a topic or subject matter, and the chatbot will produce a list of related terms, ideas, and illustrations that you can use in your lesson plans. or perhaps even write your lesson plans for you. This is one I feel no qualms about using at all.

Personal Development.

Another use of Chat GPT I have no qualms about using is personal development. You can type into Chat GPT areas you believe would help you become a better teacher and see what ideas it comes up with.

To assist in enhancing teaching abilities, it may offer pertinent articles, videos, and other resources once you have typed in certain topics that are areas of interest..

Moral and Ethical Implications of Using Chat GPT.

As a teacher, the major ethical worry I have is the potential misuse by the students. Rather than just using it to improve grammar or check vocabulary the students may get the AI to write the whole essay. And if there is any problem with the training or input of the AI that will reflect in the final written paper.

Or in AI speak, the output of Chat GPT depends on the input is a key ethical issue. The output will be tainted if there are any issues with the input. For instance, if there is prejudice surrounding the input based on race, sexual orientation, or age, that will show in the final draft.

Results from this may be unjust and misleading, especially for underprivileged groups. In order to counteract prejudice and guarantee fair and accurate results, it is essential to have a broad and representative dataset in the first place.

Final Thoughts.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that ChatGPT is a bot, therefore you shouldn’t rely on it blindly. While depending on the chatbot’s recommendations, it’s crucial to exercise caution and apply your own discretion.

I suggest taking the chatbot’s responses as a model or guideline for all the things I listed above, then personalizing them for your needs and target audience by including your own thoughts and quirks. By doing this, you may avoid sounding robotic or generic and instead produce material that is more engaging and authentic.

Ultimately, using ChatGPT as a resource can be a great way to learn and get inspired, but it’s vital to keep in mind that the content will only be genuinely yours if you utilize your own imagination and judgment.

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Teaching in Vietnam with a Colostomy Bag.

Funny but Freaky.

About 11 years ago I had a bowel cancer problem and ended up with a colostomy bag.

And I want to tell you a funny story that happened to me when I went back to teaching in a Vietnamese primary school.

A Big Stomach.

It all started with me being “blocked-up”. I couldn’t pass anything in the “nether regions”. And I just thought, “ah well, living in Vietnam I am accustomed to this happening”. But after 5 days I started getting a bit worried. Day 7 and my stomach had swelled up like a balloon. It was rock hard and no amount of water or laxatives would get things moving.

My wife eventually got me to go to hospital and after an x-ray or several the doctors told me I had cancer of the bowel. They also told me they needed to operate immediately. To say I was “freaked out” is to put it mildly. The same day they operated on me and after a 12-hour operation I woke up. More stories about this part later, and yes we get to the truly disgusting and funny parts soon.

Back to Teaching English.

After 2 to 3 months off recovering the wallet told me I had to get back to work. All good except I had a colostomy bag that I had to carry around for another month while my “insides” were recovering.

At this stage I was working in a primary school teaching English to kids from 6 to 12 years of age in Ho Chi Minh City. Young kids and a teacher with a colostomy bag, no problems right? It was an accident waiting to happen and it ended in a veritable “shite storm”.

Same Same, but Different.

I had been back teaching and things had been going well. Just another day teaching truly great kids. I had no mishaps and I always had a spare set of clothes “just in case”. And little did I know it, but on this day I was definitely going to need them (and then some).

All the teachers knew I was wearing a colostomy bag and so did the children. An announcement at one assembly by the Principal saying “Mr Stephen had a “Tui Colostomy” and please do not bump into him or hug him. This announcement was made at the start of my return to work and “today” as I found out, it would be forgotten.

My morning classes of the day had gone well and it was a beautiful hot day. It ended up being lucky that it was a hot day as I was going to need that fast drying time. I was walking down the outside balcony on the way to the staff room for a coffee.

No Coffee Today.

There would be no coffee that morning for me. I was walking and talking with my T.A. (teachers assistant) when a young student of about 6 years old rushed up to me and gave me big hug. Vietnamese kids are really nice and this was a good student from one of my classes. However, you can imagine a 6-year-old kid and a colostomy bag come in around the same height and I knew the “proverbial” was about to hit the fan.

I looked down and was surprised that everything looked ok. I should have known better. One whiff and I knew we had a leak, the ship was going down. I excused myself to the TA and grabbed my bag and took off to the nearest bathroom. Luckily for me, these toilets had a shower, I didn’t know it yet, but I was going to need them.

A Veritable Shite Storm.

I got to the bathroom intact and started to strip down. By the time I got into the cubicle, I knew it was going to be bad because the smell had ramped up to level 9. I got to the bag and as soon as I touched it the bloody thing exploded. You might think these things can’t explode, and I never thought before then they could either. But I was dealing with a shite bomb and when I say it exploded, it went everywhere.

The bag had been full and when it went “off” it hit the roof, covered the walls, and splashed all over the floor. It could not have been worse. Luckily there was no one else in the toilets. Or if there were they must have quickly left because of the stench. It was like “Dantes inferno”, fecal matter was dripping from the ceiling and the walls looked like they had been smeared with old rotten cabbage and I can’t even describe the floor.

Thank god my spare clothes were in a plastic bag.

It Could Only Get Worse.

I very quickly grabbed my stuff and moved into the shower and washed me, my bag, and my first outfit. I also always carried spare colostomy bags, tape, etc, and for everything squared away. Twenty minutes and I started feeling I had pulled it off and could flee the scene of the crime unscathed and uncaught.

In hindsight, I should have just stuffed everything into my bag and run. However, I thought I would drape my clothes in the sun for 10 minutes and partially dry them off. Bad move.

The Cleaning Lady

I knew I had made a mistake as soon as I saw the cleaning lady head into the toilets. It was impossible to clean my cubicle and it was still in the same state as when I left it when the cleaning lady headed in. OMG.

She had seen me draping my clothes on the balcony and you didn’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out what had happened. I had never seen a Vietnamese person turn white before today. She came out after about 3 seconds and just looked at me, shook her head and fled. I believe she never came back and I guess she had some burning questions that would never be answered. Or at least not by me as I fled the scene of the crime too and luckily had finished teaching for the day.

Life as Usual

I did go back to the school the next day and nothing was ever said to me about it. It is times like this you have to admire the politeness of the Vietnamese people. But I did get the odd funny look and none of the Vietnamese teachers sat next to me for a couple of weeks. Just in case I guess.

When you come to Vietnam to work you will acquire your own “funny” life stories, however, I truly hope this never happens to you.

Stephen

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