Worksheet – or Cheat Sheet – for English Teachers to Observe Conversations and Lead Class Discussions
March 2, 2009
Chimayo Press
Many English teachers, especially novice ESL instructors, talk more than ideal - and allow their English students to talk too little. Ironically, many ESL instructors…
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How democratic is your ESL classroom?
October 27, 2008
Chimayo Press
Who gets to speak in class? Whose ideas count? Who chooses the assignments? How do students receive feedback? Do students have a chance to conference…
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What are you doing differently this semester in your ESL class?
August 30, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
What are you doing differently this semester in your English class? As a new semester begins, I face the familiar task – and pleasure –…
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Playing and Watching Sports
August 19, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
Have you been watching the Olympics? What has surprised you the most? Why? Who has inspired you? How? The Olympics reminds us of heroism, sacrifice,…
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Simple questions to ask English Language Learners in Week 1
July 30, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
In conversation, it is often helpful to show other people that we understand what they are trying to say. A smile, a nod of the…
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It was an Earthquake, not a Lifequake! We’re lucky!
July 30, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
As CNN and the other global news organizations rushed to tell the world, a 5.4 earthquake hit Los Angeles yesterday. The earth shook, people got…
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Conversation tip #12: Nice truck!
July 27, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
Sometimes a simple comment leads to a delightful conversation. Today I noticed a very, very old truck parked on the street while walking my dog.…
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How do you close your last class in a satisfying, summer ESL program?
July 26, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
Class bookends, both beginnings and endings, deserve special attention. This truism becomes more important in short term summer English programs where ESL students have traveled…
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Teaching English Language Learners: What Seems to Work in American Public Schools
July 21, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
Do English language learners, or English as a Second language students, learn better in sheltered programs? Should students receive some instruction in their native language…
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Gratitude is heaven itself
July 19, 2008
Eric Roth newBlog
A bright college student asked a simple vocabulary question that threw me this week. “What is the opposite of jealous“? What is the opposite of…
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