February 17, 2017
ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY
BEST OF AFFILIATE SESSIONS


Mindfulness Strategies for the ELT Classroom (TESOL Arabia)

Presenters: Christine Coombe, Susanna Bloss, Konrad Cedro

Groups around the world are finding that truly great leadership comes from people who can lead themselves first. The first step in leading yourself is to know who you are…your values, character, and essence. But finding the time and space to ask and answer deep questions of identity can be challenging when teachers are overwhelmed with an overscheduled life. How can teachers find a place of stillness and inner peace when the demands of their day intrude on their thoughts and concentration? The answer is the practice of mindfulness. Come to this session to find why mindfulness is important and how busy teachers can achieve it.

Breadth of Vocabulary Thresholds Supporting Postsecondary Reading and Writing (BC TEAL)
Presenter: Scott Roy Douglas

With a focus on postsecondary bound students from multilingual backgrounds, this session explores breadth of word knowledge levels that facilitate positive engagement with the demands of initial undergraduate reading and writing tasks. Time is also taken to consider implications for teaching and learning in English for academic purposes courses.

Examining Cultural Assumptions Through Dialogue, A Human Library Inspired Project (ORTESOL)
Presenter: Becki Quick

Encouraging students to seek language interactions outside of their classroom is not always easy. However, the Human Library is an activity that creates a dynamic interaction between students and community members. Not only are students engaging in meaningful language practice, but they are also broadening their understanding of identity and community. ​

Reconsidering Conceptual Paradigms in English Studies (BELTA)
Presenter: Arifa Rahman

With increasing recognition of the high transforming power of English, the agenda of current education planners in developing societies is to build up generations of young people able to compete and operate nationally and internationally in this language. This presentation takes stock of the gradual shifts on policy and practices of English language education in Bangladesh over four decades. Framed within an overarching perception of a changing global policy, the session is embedded in a wider framework of ELT practices to make it relevant to attendees.

Awareness, Recognition, and Production of Speech Acts (MITESOL)
Presenters: Sara Okello, Jolene Jaquays, Katie Allen

ELLs typically learn fundamentals of language in class, but most textbooks minimally address the functional language and pragmatic knowledge needed to perform the various speech acts. In this session, we give an overview of speech acts, sharing a variety of activities for noticing, producing, and evaluating speech acts to use in the classroom.

Teaching With Mobile Devices: Some Practical Ideas and Considerations (TESOL Argentina)
Presenter: Maria Mercedes

Mobile devices are reshaping the ways we access information and interact with others, offering great educational potential that should be exploited by teachers and institutions. In this session, practical ideas are discussed and participants are invited to engage in hands-on activities to discover how mobile learning can enrich learning in innovative ways and, at the same time, help learners develop skills that are essential in the 21st century.

Bilingualism is a Gift (BiG) ESL/SPED Collaborative Campaign (MATSOL)
Presenter: Lauren Harrison, Jean Fitzgerald, Yvonne Endara, Maryann MacDougall

This session brings a district superintendent, an ESL coordinator, a preschool speech and language pathologist, and an ESL teacher together to discuss their efforts to promote a critical message in their diverse Massachusetts community. The "Bilingualism is a Gift!" Campaign began as an interdisciplinary effort at the preschool level, but has grown to impact a broad range of students, families, and other stakeholders—near and far. Participants receive access to multiple translations of the campaign's flyer.