Comments for ESL Teachers' Blog

Comment on Videos: Teaching Demos by wcshih

wcshih — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:34:05 +0000

Good Job! Keep Going!

Comment on Teaching Word Stress by NIA

NIA — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:43:07 +0000

A VERY interesting technique! Thanks for sharing..
Hope you’ll cover ’sentence stress’ soon

Comment on Teaching Word Stress by ChinaMike

ChinaMike — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:35:43 +0000

The video could not be accessed.

Comment on Teaching Syllables – StraightUp! by ChinaMike

ChinaMike — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:34:00 +0000

Bravo!

Comment on Native language use in the English classroom: Good or bad? by China_Mike

China_Mike — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:30:35 +0000

I went to Alex’s site and read his many great suggestions. People who are considering a shorter path to the same end might consider just these two rules:

1. Students who wish to use the L1 in class must always first ask for permission (in English) to use the L1.

2. Teachers who use the L1 should always be asking themselves two questions, “if I said this in English would most students understand?” (the answer should always be no) and “how important is it to one or more students that I use the L1 right now?” (the answer should always be very important).

Comment on Native language use in the English classroom: Good or bad? by China_Mike

China_Mike — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:05:07 +0000

Actually not so controversial. I think the no L1 policy was massively supported by schools (abroad) who tried to sell the idea of the superiority of native speakers. Obviously these schools employed many such native speakers.

Basically, using the L1 when students don’t understand can serve as a great scaffold. Should the scaffold be used constantly? No, but it is a great time saver and tension reducer in tight situations.

The practice of learning to teach without being able to speak the student’s language is wonderful however and is much recommended!

Of course learning to teach a class without speaking a single word is also to be recommended as it can REALLY open your eyes!

Comment on Reducing Dependence on the Native Language (L1) in Class by Sdanektir

Sdanektir — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:47:16 +0000

Thanks for writing, I very much liked your newest post. I think you should post more frequently, you evidently have natural ability for blogging!

Comment on Reducing Dependence on the Native Language (L1) in Class by LenaShopogolik

LenaShopogolik — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:35:15 +0000

Nice post — this really hits home for me.

Comment on Teaching Word-Stress: “Stretch” Your Technique! by LenaShopogolik

LenaShopogolik — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:06:35 +0000

The article is ver good. Write please more

Comment on Reducing Dependence on the Native Language (L1) in Class by electromozzo

electromozzo — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 10:56:31 +0000

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!