TESOL Connections Mobile - September 2017

Classes That Thrive: Negotiating Classroom Community Values

Rather than dictating rules to your ELLs, use this lesson plan to help them explore and develop their own set of values that will drive optimal classroom performance.

Grammatically Speaking

by Michelle Jackson

This month, Michelle Jackson shares an interactive interview activity to help students learn to use the present tense to be while developing fluency and strengthening classroom community.

Vocabulary in the ESL Classroom: An Activity on Phrasal Verbs

by Marina McLaughlin and Abby Liu

Phrasal verbs—such as care for and go on—are most often used outside of the classroom, but their importance for real-life communication cannot be overlooked.

Quick Tip: Tips for Advanced Academic Writers

by Valerie Sartor

Nonnative English speakers spend much time mastering basic academic writing; they often forget that writing is an art. Good writing—of any kind—addresses several key areas. Try these activities to help your ELLs enjoy the writing process, become more confident in their academic writing, and improve their work.

Free TESOL Quarterly Article: "Sociocultural Theory and Task-Based Language Teaching: The Role of Praxis"

by Anne Feryok

TESOL Quarterly publishes brief commentaries on aspects of qualitative and quantitative research. In this article from the September 2017 special issue ("Complementary Perspectives on Task-Based Classroom Realities"), Feryok focuses on TBLT research conducted in sociocultural theory (SCT). SCT addresses the relationship between theory and practice through praxis, the idea that theory guides practice and practice shapes theory.

TESOL Responds to Devastation Caused by Hurricane Harvey: On behalf of its Board of Directors, volunteers, members, and staff, the association stands in solidarity with its affiliate, Texas TESOL IV, and with the resilient people of Texas as they recover from this devastating natural disaster.Learn how you can contribute to relief efforts.

NEW TESOL Position Statement: The TESOL Board of Directors has approved a new position statement regarding immigration policy and reform in the United States.

Contribute and Develop: Looking to contribute to TESOL—the association and the field—while developing professionally? Check out these important opportunities:

Electronic Village Proposals Now Open for 2018: The CALL-IS invites you to submit a proposal to the Electronic Village, part of the annual TESOL convention in 2018. (Deadline: 30 September)
Call for Volunteers: Leadership opportunities are currently available for the 2017–18 year on several of TESOL's Professional Councils. See the full list and volunteer today.
Call for Award Reviewers: The TESOL Awards Professional Council is looking for reviewers to adjudicate applications during the months of November and December. (Deadline: 1 October)
TESOL Journal Editor Search: Apply to be editor of an internationally recognized refereed journal. (Deadline: 1 October)

Attention Proposal Reviewers: Did you review proposals for TESOL 2018? For an official thank you letter on TESOL letterhead, contact us.

New Ways in Teaching With Music: Bring music to the classroom for effective, engaging, and enjoyable language learning.

TESOL Voices: Secondary Education: Stories from students and teachers as they explore cross-content learning, collaboration, and more.

Advocacy Workshops: In TESOL's new, 1-day, intensive workshops, TESOL professionals at all levels will receive valuable advocacy skills training in Alexandria, Virginia, USA. Workshops on 27 October and 4 November.

TESOL Joint Letter: TESOL and JNCL-NCLIS express concern over Florida ESSA plan

Video: Teaching Literacy Skills to English-Language Learners (Education Week Teacher)

Report: Best Practices for ELL Students in Personalized Environments (THE Journal)

Article: How to prepare for a job interview in English (British Council)

Fact Sheet: Opportunity knocks: How immigrant Dreamers can meet local businesses’ skill needs (National Skills Coalition)

Article: Mother tongue matters for sustainable futures: Three case studies (UNESCO)

Report: Globally Mobile Youth: Trends in International Secondary Students in the United States, 2013–2016 (IIE Center for Academic Mobility Research and Impact)

Article: Bilingual babies listen to language (Science Daily)

Research Paper: Children and teachers as co-researchers in Indian primary English classrooms (British Council)

English Teacher (Pre-K–college), China International School Program, China

Online English/ESL Teacher; JiuQu English (Funbulous); USA, nationwide

Lecturer in TESOL; Linguistics and English Language at Lancaster University; Bailrigg, Lancaster, United Kingdom

Want to post your open positions to Job Link? Click here.

To browse all of TESOL's job postings, check out the TESOL Career Center.

Using Humor to Enhance Language Instruction
Learn how to effectively use humor in the language classroom. TESOL Virtual Seminar. (13 September)

Vocabulary Riches for Young Learners
TESOL Virtual Seminar. (18 October)

Difference or Disability?
Learn how to separate difference from disability with ELLs. (23 October)

Pronunciation Bootcamp
Learn practical ideas for teaching pronunciation. TESOL Virtual Seminar. (25 October)

Training of Trainers
Create a plan to strengthen your preservice or professional development program. Online course. (1 November)

Leadership Certificate Program in Texas
Earn TESOL's Leadership Management Certificate at the TexTESOL Conference in Houston, Texas, USA. (2–4 November)

Facilitating Teacher Growth
TESOL Virtual Seminar. (8 November)

TESOL Core Certificate Program
Jump-start your ELT career! Learn the basics, pick a focus, and complete a teaching practicum. (Application deadline: 20 November)

TESOL Certificate: Advanced Practitioner
Take your career to the next level with this certificate program. (self-paced)