Why do I often attend conferences /webinars for English teachers?

Have you ever heard of “CPD”? This abbreviation stands for Continuous Professional Development. The name is self-explanatory. Basically, it means live and learn. :)

I have been teaching English for almost two decades. In order to remain a competent specialist in a very competitive environment I prefer to brush up my methodology knowledge as well sharpen my language skills on a regular basis.

So why the conferences? The answer is simple. Ready-to-use tools, creative approaches, smart ideas, innovative trends combined with like-minded people can well promote my personal, let alone professional growth, in no time.

Naturally, teachers are no exception to severe burnout. From my perspective, such uplifting events full of practical recommendations are like a breath of fresh air.

I do believe that an inspired teacher is able to infect her students with enthusiasm and turn their interest in English into a life-long passion. Are you ready to enjoy this journey with me?

Inspiring Teachers 2020

Back in the fall 2020 I participated in the contest for English teachers and ended up being chosen among 5 other laureates. That was not a victory, but definitely quite a worthy step in my CPD plan.

Vera Novikova

Новикова Вера Анатольевна

Education: online versus offline? Do we need a real contact when learning a language?

     By learning a language we traditionally understand development of communicative skills – reading, listening, speaking and writing, all of which can be efficiently honed in the face-to-face offline environment. However, earlier this year the sci-fi scenario of the pandemic outbreak modified lifestyles of everyone on our planet, including millions of educators who ended up teaching online.
     Language teachers have been compelled to adapt their classroom techniques to a new format which lacks direct human contact. No commuting and zero chance to catch the virus alongside the comfort of their cozy chairs appeared to be great benefits alongside being forced to improve their technical skills. Being tourists or immigrants in a digital native world, loads of teachers had no other ways but adapt if they wanted to remain competitive at the virtual market.
       Luckily, education and technology have always gone hand in hand. My first black and white photocopied English textbook, filled with Soviet propaganda, seems a mockery compared to the contemporary engaging training toolkits equipped with online components. Millenials are blessed having all digital audios and videos at their fingertips, being able to use emails, chat rooms and various social media. Students can interact with each other as well as learn how to build self-discipline and accountability. Adolescents feel less shy, and they share their thoughts more eagerly as the online space reduces academic pressure.
      In a conventional classroom language teachers rely a lot on socializing, which is crucial when building interpersonal communication skills, especially if we speak about students of younger age. In this regard during online lessons students might feel more isolated from their peers. Another important drawback of studying online concerns kinesthetic learners, who feel far more confident in offline environment, as they learn through tactile sensations and physical touch.
         The global lockdown merely exposed and accelerated the seismic changes which had started back in the pre-COVID era. We have to admit that there is no going back. Hopefully, most language schools would be able to provide hybrid education modes, combining both online and offline formats in order to teach English efficiently even without a real personal contact.

CELTA: my personal outcomes

 Here you can read about my reasons for taking CELTA

Here you can see my tips how to survive CELTA

Today I will share in what way CELTA helped me become a better teacher.

My personal learning outcome after doing CELTA

My teaching has shifted from deductive to inductive approach. I started eliciting rather than giving myself. My role as a teacher is to provide the language the learners will need to discover the rules, to guide them in discovery and to provide more opportunities to practice.

When introducing new vocabulary I tend to use a personal story about myself or my family or my friends to elicit the words students will encounter later during the lesson. This way this information is more likely to stick and later it’s easier for me to trigger their memory.

I learnt how to use CCQ = Concept Checking Questions. They are not flawless, but they become pretty helpful with low level students and in case I need students to believe they came up to the idea without my help.

During my first lesson with individual students I analyze their sensory, cognitive and personal learning styles to use their strongest sensory channels (VAKOG) as well as cognitive skills and intelligence type to help them learn faster and more efficiently.

I prefer to work with authentic materials. If they are too complicated I follow CELTA rule - grade the task not the language. I tend to teach the language in manageable tasks.

I take notes of what students said – both errors and examples of great language and mention it while providing the feedback.

Since CELTA I always thank students for their work during my lessons.

So thank you for reading. I do hope I helped you clarify some unclear moments about the course.

Photo credits:

1) https://www.pexels.com/ru-ru/photo/3933030

 2) https://www.pexels.com/ru-ru/photo/6732759/

How to survive CELTA - MY TIPS

 As you can see the CELTA course is pretty demanding.

So here are my tips how to make most of your CELTA learning.

1) sleep 7-8 hours and keep nourishing yourself well – the course curriculum is very intensive – you will need all your energy to keep your mind focused.

2) always aim at getting better – CELTA is all about progress you make as a teacher.

3) Your tutors will use different techniques while teaching you – it’s a good idea to use the same techniques at your lessons the sooner the better.

4) The studying is rather stressful. Mistakes are inevitable. If you manage to notice your mistakes and immediately correct yourself while teaching – it’s good. If you do it during the feedback session – it’s still good. If you fail to notice your weak points – you might get lower results at the end.

5) Be active and proactive while studying. Don’t be lazy. Attend all the sessions. Do not be late. Ask questions. Participate in all the discussions. Submit your papers on time. Read as much as you can prior to the course and during the course.

TO BE CONTINUED

Photo credits:

1) https://www.pexels.com/ru-ru/photo/6976597/

2) https://www.pexels.com/ru-ru/photo/5212342/

Why I Took CELTA

 

Walking down my memory lane - CELTA outcome

In October 2020 I had a chance to share my 2009 CELTA course experience at a regular English teacher's meet-up hosted by my friend and colleague - Irina Lutsenko:

CELTA is a four-week intensive course both for novice and experienced teachers. Now CELTA means Certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages.
Why I took CELTA:

1) There was a big chance my husband and I might have immigrated. I wanted to work there and do what I like most. As Russian formal qualification would not suit I had to gain a globally recognized formal qualification. And employers around the world ask for CELTA.

2) At that time I had already been teaching general English for 6 years and business English for 3 years. And I was literally burnt down and slightly bored with the same text books. So I longed for some inspiration and encouragement in my professional development.

3) I wanted to study abroad and was carefully choosing the authorized center. But as soon as there appeared to be a chance for me to stay in Moscow for free, the question was settled, as I had to pay only for my tuition fee, food and tickets.

CELTA course details

*The course lasts four intensive weeks.

*You start at noon and finish at 8 p.m.

*You have two tutors. They teach their own material. There are 12 students at the course. The general input is taught to all of them. But then you split up in two groups during preparation sessions.

*You teach mostly every day. First two weeks you teach Elementary students. Second two weeks you teach Upper-Intermediate students. First two weeks you have one tutor, for the second two weeks they switch.

*You start at noon and finish at 8 p.m.

*You have two tutors. They teach their own material. There are 12 students at the course. The general input is taught to all of them. But then you split up in two groups during preparation sessions.

*You teach mostly every day. First two weeks you teach Elementary students. Second two weeks you teach Upper-Intermediate students. First two weeks you have one tutor, for the second two weeks they switch.

*The assessment is continuous. All your lessons are assessed. You will have to submit your lesson plans, your self- evaluation page, all the materials you prepared for your lesson.  All your participation in the discussions during learning how to teach is evaluated. All your lessons will be observed by your tutor and your peers.

*Peer observation – you have to do it during the lesson and give your feedback orally next day during the session as well as provide reflection on your own teaching/ If you manage to notice your strong and weak points correctly – it is a big plus and it will be included in your tutor’s report.

*You will have to attend several lessons provided by experienced teachers and later write your observation reports.

*During the course you will have to write four papers – about how to teach certain things to different levels. You have to submit them on time. These papers have to be well written and be based on a number of books you have to read. You will be able to borrow these books from the center’s library and / or make copies of the needed pages. These written assignments will be assessed.

*All your works will be collected and put into the folder. After you finish the course, your tutors will collect all the reports they have completed and will send them to Cambridge. In certain cases, your portfolios will be sent there too. You can either pass the course or not pass. To get the CELTA certificate, you must meet the criteria for both the teaching practice and written assignments. You can pass with three different grades: Pass ‘A’, Pass ‘B’ and Pass.

TO BE CONTINUED

 

Сериалы в моей жизни

Этот пост изначально был написан мною в далеком 2018 году. С тех пор появились классные новинки. Но обо все по порядку.

Я смотрю сериалы на английском языке по трем причинам:
1) Они помогают мне отдохнуть от повседневных дел и восстановить силы;
2) Я наслаждаюсь профессионализмом знаменитых актеров, талантливых сценаристов, операторов, композиторов и режиссеров;
3) Это мой вариант для поддержания уровня языка. Более того, я обсуждаю сериалы с моими студентами, делюсь находками и классными "живыми" фразами.

Я смотрю сериалы на сайте ororo.tv, где у меня оформлена платная подписка, дающая безлимитный  и полный доступ ко всем сериалам, фильмам и ТВ программам. Более того, я включаю субтитры на английском и сразу же могу проверить значение незнакомого слова. Если перевод недостаточный, то проверяю оттенки значения и сферы употребления в словаре. Делюсь находками со студентами. Это держит меня в языковом тонусе. Смаковать умные и интересные мысли и фразы – сплошное удовольствие. 

Сначала несколько сериалов, которые уже закрылись. Fringe:

It is a cientific observation, not a judgement.

Curious minds often converge on the same idea.
He is way ahead of his time.
Myth is just an unverifiable fact.
Sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

Downton Abbey

Очень хорошие костюмы и интерьеры, проблемы и любовь в аристократичной английской семье в начале 20 века, потрясающая бабушка семейства, хозяева и слуги, витиеватый язык, недомолвки и полутоны. Достойный сериал. Лейтмотив: Lady Grantham, the Dowager Countess "What's a 'weekend?'

House of Cards

Политическая драма. Отличная игра актеров. А язык какой! Немного сложновато, если не очень понимаешь кто есть кто в политической системе США. Но сериал о власти, о том, на что люди готовы ради власти. О человеческих пороках.

      Claire: I never believed in the tooth fairy.

      Elizabeth: Well, you took the money anyway. Claire Underwood  (Robin Wright).

Once Upon A Time

Несложная лексика, фэнтези, можно смотреть даже детям. Сказки шиворот-навыворот. Лейтмотив: Magic comes with the price.

The Big Bang Theory

Популярная молодежная комедия о дружбе, взрослении, принятии с тонким американским юмором, отличным языком и обсуждением современных проблем и реалий. 

Sheldon: There's no denying that I have feelings for you that can't be explained in any other way. I briefly considered that I had a brain parasite, but that seems even more far-fetched. The only conclusion was love.

How I met Your Mother

Уморительный, веселый, легкий. Смешные актеры, забавные ситуации, узнаваемые образы. Сериал про дружбу и про поиски себя, про любовь. 

“It’s going to be legen — wait for it — and I hope you’re not lactose intolerant, because the second half of the word is — dary! Legendary!” — Barney Stinson

И несколько продолжающихся сериалов.

Young Sheldon

Добрый сериал про детство мальчика гения из The Big Bang Theory. Язык попроще, смотрится, скорее, как семейные отношения и попытка любить такого непростого сына.

Sheldon: Do people know about this?

Meemaw: Sheldon, what's on a person's face is not always what's in their heart.
Sheldon: Well, this changes everything. How do you know who to trust?
Meemaw: You don't. That's what makes life interesting.

Outlander

История о медсестре, попавшей из 20 века в 18-й, в Шотландию. Очень много костюмов, внимание к исторической точности изображения. По сути это экранизация женского романа. Много интимных сцен. Много сцен насилия. Разные акценты, разные страны, разные эпохи. Смотреть интересно. Лексика хорошая. Love forces a person to choose. You do things you never imagined you could do before. Jenny Fraser  (Laura Donnelly)

Call the Midwife

Ностальгическая трогательная история о женщинах - повитухах, которые помогали бедным жительницам Лондона принимать роды. Жизненные рассказы с налетом сентиментальности и грусти, при этом с призывом не унывать, что все будет хорошо. 

“Whoever heard of a midwife as a literary heroine? Yet midwifery is the very stuff of drama. Every child is conceived either in love or lust, is born in pain, followed by joy or sometimes remorse. A midwife is in the thick of it, she sees it all.”

― Jennifer Worth, The Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times

Приятного и продуктивного Вам просмотра!

 

One step at a time is good walking. – Chinese Proverb

Изучение иностранного языка - дело трудоемкое и времязатратное. И не так уж важно - весело ли проходят занятия, в удобной ли для Вас форме и в какой атмосфере, так как мозг напрягать все равно приходится, к тому же обучение потребует от Вас и Вашего времени в любом случае.

Совет от English Steps - Take One Step At A Time.

Дело за малым - или сделать уроки регулярными, или придумать себе рутинки на каждый день.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. – Lao Tzu

Например, можно смотреть кино или сериалы или видео с ted.com - но каждый день. Читать новости на языке. Читать статьи в википедии. Слушать любимые песни на английском, разбирать слова. Смотреть интервью любимых актеров, знаменитостей, просто интересных людей. Читать блоги по интересам. Найти penpals - друзей по переписке. Да много чего можно придумать. Читать о своем хобби на языке или смотреть видео о нем же. Живя не в англоязычной среде, необходимо, чтобы среда была всегда под рукой - at your fingertips :)

Изучение языка - это тренировка самой важной мышцы - мозга. Секрет здесь в регулярности. Хотите плоский живот -качайте пресс. Так же и здесь.

Эту мысль я всегда пытаюсь донести до моих студентов. Поэтому они скачивают приложения для смартфонов, читают аудиокниги, поют любимые песни, занимаясь скрапбукингом, изучают язык, а также черпают вдохновение в Instagram или смотрят интервью на youtube. Кто-то любит радио программы, кто-то смотрит новости. Мы все - разные. Но делая этот важный маленький шажок каждый день, мы приближаемся к своей заветной цели!

Photo credits: google search back in 2015