I have created a list of songs, which are perfect for teaching Past Simple tense in English. All of the songs are relatively new and popular, so they would especially be suitable for teaching teenagers. While the primary goal would be teaching Past Simple, you can always add a few more exercises in order to…
Podcasts inspire learners with current topics while developing their listening skills. We asked Rashmi, a teacher in Portugal, to share her favorite ESL podcasts for teachers and students.
Six years ago I began this regular feature where I share a few posts and resources from around the Web related to ESL/EFL or to language in general that have caught my attention. You might a…
Free St Patrick's Day activities, self-study English lessons and TEFL teaching materials for all ages and levels. Resources include St Patrick's Day exercises, graded reading texts, easy vocabulary lessons and worksheets, and online quizzes on the topic of Saint Patrick's Day history and modern day celebrations.
Confusing lack of English proficiency with lack of intelligence and believing students understand academic English because they've mastered social English are among those mistakes five educators cite.
Mistakes teachers make when teaching ELD. Language learners are intelligent. Finding out how to connect content to their background knowledge is key. Don't try to rush English Proficiency.
21 FEB INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY Posted at 18:10h in All, Education Matters by Will Ferguson 0 Comments Share On International Mother Language Day, Head of ESL John Robertson explains why the acquisition of a second language should never be a replacement for your mother tongue. A DIVERSE LINGUISTIC COMMUNITY In 1999, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) director declared February 21st to be International Mother Language Day, calling for “the potential of multilingual education to be acknowledged everywhere”. On a day when the world celebrates multilingualism and linguistic and cultural diversity, we reflect on the great diversity in our own community (which represents 49 languages in Upper Years alone) and strive to create an environment where the full diversity of our community is included and celebrated. At Woodstock, ESL is meant to be just what it says: English as a Second language—something to be added to the first, and never something to replace it. We encourage students for whom English is a second language to keep developing their first language, whatever that language may be, and to share and use the depth of knowledge they have gained from their first language. We encourage reading in the first language, discussions in the first language, and thinking in the first language. DEVELOPING TOGETHER Research over the past 30 years has looked into the incredible benefits of bilingualism and multilingualism, and especially the importance of the first language for academic success in general. It is now recognised that learning the social elements of a language, or Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS), takes one or two years. This means that a student can sound more or less fluent after having been immersed in Woodstock life for that time. However, full cognitive and academic language proficiency can take between five and seven years — and according to the research, this is best accomplished when the first and second language develop together. This means that while an English education may well be important for success in the broader world, this success will be best achieved if the first language is maintained. Of course, academic success isn’t the only reason for maintaining a first language. A person’s language is part of their identity, and coming to an international boarding school like Woodstock can be a difficult time of linguistic and cultural separation. It is very important that first languages be recognised and encouraged as much and as often as possible; not just on one day, but throughout the year. John Robertson, Head of ESL, Woodstock School www.woodstockschool.ac.in/summer
Tan Huynh believes we must co-assess with colleagues to ensure that language learners achieve at the highest level. He offers forms of co-assessing that work.
(this post was co-authored with Dylan Vinales of Garden International School Kuala Lumpur) Introduction In this post I will concern myself with two fluency-enhancing techniques that I got a…
Shannon and Jeff interviewed Jonathan and James about their journal/community called “Ludic Language Pedagogy”. Question: What is Ludic Language Pedagogy? Is it an organization, a community, a journal? TL;DR: LLP is both a journal and a community. The journal came
The theme of the 2021 International Mother Language Day, “Fostering multilingualism for inclusion in education and society,” recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goals’ focus on leaving no one behind. UNESCO believes education, based on the first language or mother tongue, must begin from the early years as early childhood care and education is the foundation of learning.
UNESCO believes in the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity for sustainable societies. It is within its mandate for peace that it works to preserve the differences in cultures and languages that foster tolerance and respect for others.
Linguistic diversity(link is external) is increasingly threatened as more and more languages disappear. Globally 40 per cent of the population does not have access to an education in a language they speak or understand. Nevertheless, progress is being made in mother tongue-based multilingual education with growing understanding of its importance, particularly in early schooling, and more commitment to its development in public life.
Multilingual and multicultural societies exist through their languages which transmit and preserve traditional knowledge and cultures in a sustainable way.
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL
"The theme of the Day this year, "Fostering multilingualism for inclusion in education and society", thus encourages us to support multilingualism and the use of mother tongues, both at school and in everyday life. This is essential, because when 40% of the world's inhabitants do not have access to education in the language they speak or understand best, it hinders their learning, as well as their access to heritage and cultural expressions. This year, special attention is being paid to multilingual education from early childhood, so that for children, their mother tongue is always an asset."
— Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of International Mother Language Day
The theme of the 2021 International Mother Language Day, “Fostering multilingualism for inclusion in education and society,” recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goals’ focus on leaving no one behind. UNESCO believes education, based on the first language or mother tongue, must begin from the early years as early childhood care and education is the foundation of learning.
Ensuring inclusive education for ethnolinguistic minority children in the COVID-19 era: guidance note
Events around the world
Celebration of International Mother Language Day organized by the Embassy of Bangladesh in France and the Permanent Delegation of Bangladesh to UNESCO Sunday 21 February, 3 pm (GMT+1) Follow the event live(link is external)
The crucial role of teachers in promoting multilingual based mother tongue education in Africa organized by UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA) Wednesday 24 February, 3.30 pm (GMT+3) More information
This Catchy Melody Teaches the Letter Sounds by Showing 1 Easy Noun Sound for Every Letter of the Alphabet. Children will Learn Phonics by Associating 1 Obje...
An easy picture vocabulary matching quiz for all age groups. Test how many English words you know for talking about Mardi Gras. Mobile friendly. Suitable for online teaching, use in class, or home study.
Here, Bonner shares his thoughts on how VR makes it possible for students to have meaningful language learning opportunities, even during a global pandemic.
A mobile friendly esl listening comprehension exercise on the song Take Me To The Mardi Gras, popularised by Paul Simon, to practise English listening skills and using simple, high frequency English words. Watch the video, and then complete a gap fill quiz by typing in the missing lyrics. Part of a free series of online listening activities designed to help you learn English through listening to popular songs.
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