A blog for the parents

My dear friend and colleague Dani Lyra, suggested that, along with my wiki, I also create a blog to post my students´work, so parents can see it. Here it is.

A blog for the parents

My dear friend and colleague Dani Lyra, suggested that, along with my wiki, I also create a blog to post my students´work, so parents can see it. Here it is.

Calm Down!

Last Saturday, I took my students to the M.A.L.L. (Multimedia Access to Language Learning), so they could use the blog and practice the structure learned, which was the future form. They were supposed to talk about their plans for their vacation. Reading their posts made me write to you. When assigning a writing task in which students are supposed to practice a certain grammar point or new vocabulary, make sure they remember to use the structure suggested. Only then will they practice and be able to use it at all times. Tell them to try not to let their native language interfere in their writing. We know they want to sound spontaneous by using their own words, but using the structure suggested is the perfect way to practice what they learned in class. Once, a student told me that he didn´t use the structure suggested because he felt like he was copying my words or the words from the book and he didn´t want to do that, he wanted to be original. Be it as it may, a grammar point or new vocabulary, students should use it as much as possible. At first, yes, it will sound mechanical and artificial, but later it will come out naturally because they´ll be used to it. The more they use it, the better.

Calm Down!

Last Saturday, I took my students to the M.A.L.L. (Multimedia Access to Language Learning), so they could use the blog and practice the structure learned, which was the future form. They were supposed to talk about their plans for their vacation. Reading their posts made me write to you. When assigning a writing task in which students are supposed to practice a certain grammar point or new vocabulary, make sure they remember to use the structure suggested. Only then will they practice and be able to use it at all times. Tell them to try not to let their native language interfere in their writing. We know they want to sound spontaneous by using their own words, but using the structure suggested is the perfect way to practice what they learned in class. Once, a student told me that he didn´t use the structure suggested because he felt like he was copying my words or the words from the book and he didn´t want to do that, he wanted to be original. Be it as it may, a grammar point or new vocabulary, students should use it as much as possible. At first, yes, it will sound mechanical and artificial, but later it will come out naturally because they´ll be used to it. The more they use it, the better.

One small step after another

I had the courage to create two blogs, one for my advanced level group and other for my basic level group, and present them to my students. I took them to the computer lab and explained what I expected from them. They commented on the posts and posted them successfully. Of all my students, only one shared he didn´t think it was important and that we could be doing other things rather than writing for a blog, but the others enjoyed it very much, although I admit they were a little reluctant at first. Some are not used to expressing themselves and others claimed not to be creative enough, but I managed to convince them otherwise. Check it out:
writingloungeforstudents.blogspot.com and writingloungeforstudents1b2.blogspot.com.

One small step after another

I had the courage to create two blogs, one for my advanced level group and other for my basic level group, and present them to my students. I took them to the computer lab and explained what I expected from them. They commented on the posts and posted them successfully. Of all my students, only one shared he didn´t think it was important and that we could be doing other things rather than writing for a blog, but the others enjoyed it very much, although I admit they were a little reluctant at first. Some are not used to expressing themselves and others claimed not to be creative enough, but I managed to convince them otherwise. Check it out:
writingloungeforstudents.blogspot.com and writingloungeforstudents1b2.blogspot.com.

Students´ blog

Well, it´s been 15 days since I started this blog and I was wondering when it would be the right time for me to have a students blog. I asked Carla Arena, an expert in digital communication, if it was the right time to do that because I didn´t want to start something before I was ready. Anyway, I decided to try and created a blog for my advanced students. I want to see what their response will be and whether I can engage them into writing regularly.Let´s see...

Students´ blog

Well, it´s been 15 days since I started this blog and I was wondering when it would be the right time for me to have a students blog. I asked Carla Arena, an expert in digital communication, if it was the right time to do that because I didn´t want to start something before I was ready. Anyway, I decided to try and created a blog for my advanced students. I want to see what their response will be and whether I can engage them into writing regularly.Let´s see...

Writing is fun!

What does this picture say to you? Do you agree with the tittle? Why? Why not?

Writing is fun!

What does this picture say to you? Do you agree with the tittle? Why? Why not?

"Now" is the time

"The past is history, the future is a mistery and now is a gift. That´s why it´s called present."(ancient saying).I don´t know why I remembered this saying. I remember hearing that in the film Kung Fu Panda by Disney. It just popped into my head. I was wondering if I could relate it to this blog somehow. After having started this blog, just now I realize that no matter what you did in the past with your students regarding writing, it´s never too late to change, to reinvent, to explore the unknown. We also can not predict what results we will get, whether they will enjoy the task or not or whether they will be able to do it or not. All we have to rely on is the present, make a move, dare to try something new now, not to wait for the next semester, or a more appropriate time because maybe then, we´ll be more likely to succeed. Now is the time.

"Now" is the time

"The past is history, the future is a mistery and now is a gift. That´s why it´s called present."(ancient saying).I don´t know why I remembered this saying. I remember hearing that in the film Kung Fu Panda by Disney. It just popped into my head. I was wondering if I could relate it to this blog somehow. After having started this blog, just now I realize that no matter what you did in the past with your students regarding writing, it´s never too late to change, to reinvent, to explore the unknown. We also can not predict what results we will get, whether they will enjoy the task or not or whether they will be able to do it or not. All we have to rely on is the present, make a move, dare to try something new now, not to wait for the next semester, or a more appropriate time because maybe then, we´ll be more likely to succeed. Now is the time.

Here I am!!!!

I don´t know where I´m supposed to go from here, but it´s been exciting to have come this far!!!!

Here I am!!!!

I don´t know where I´m supposed to go from here, but it´s been exciting to have come this far!!!!