Keep swimming ...keep swimming....

Every time I watch the animation Finding Nemo, I have fun with Dory. Especially because she reminds me of myself (I also happen to be forgetful and absent-minded), but recently, I have been experiencing her persistent optimism. There are times when teaching becomes really difficult, a struggle per say, either because we have to deal with so many different people at the same time - people who have different ways of seeing the learning of the language and I dare to say that some resist that in every way - or because all the aspects involved in this craft  demand attention, responsibilities, time, response and dedication. And I have been trying to insert my students in this world called "digital". Writing digital to be precise. And I got to tell you all that "keep swimming" is my latest motto now. I have an intermediate EFL group and since the first week, I´ve been persistently encouraging them to post material in my wiki. I assigned two activities actually, in which they were supposed to describe  a party they´ve been to and also post a link or a picture of a popular festival around the world. At first, nobody did it, which did not surprise me. I expected they wouldn´t. But after some time, little by little, (I mean "reeeeeeeeeally slowly) they started posting. Even the ones I thought would absolutely not do it at all because they didn´t care. For my surprise, they did. And Dory came to my mind. Keep swimming... keep swimming... I´m glad I persisted and I´m happy with the responses I have had so far. 

Keep swimming ...keep swimming....

Every time I watch the animation Finding Nemo, I have fun with Dory. Especially because she reminds me of myself (I also happen to be forgetful and absent-minded), but recently, I have been experiencing her persistent optimism. There are times when teaching becomes really difficult, a struggle per say, either because we have to deal with so many different people at the same time - people who have different ways of seeing the learning of the language and I dare to say that some resist that in every way - or because all the aspects involved in this craft  demand attention, responsibilities, time, response and dedication. And I have been trying to insert my students in this world called "digital". Writing digital to be precise. And I got to tell you all that "keep swimming" is my latest motto now. I have an intermediate EFL group and since the first week, I´ve been persistently encouraging them to post material in my wiki. I assigned two activities actually, in which they were supposed to describe  a party they´ve been to and also post a link or a picture of a popular festival around the world. At first, nobody did it, which did not surprise me. I expected they wouldn´t. But after some time, little by little, (I mean "reeeeeeeeeally slowly) they started posting. Even the ones I thought would absolutely not do it at all because they didn´t care. For my surprise, they did. And Dory came to my mind. Keep swimming... keep swimming... I´m glad I persisted and I´m happy with the responses I have had so far. 

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?