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Play – Space: Using Word Associations in Your Classes

| | January 19, 2012

False Cognates. We’ve talked about incorporating them into your vocabulary lessons here and here. The reason they make for such interesting and effective lessons is because students can easily make associations with words that they are already familiar with. And by making associations, whether consciously or unconsciously, students really boost their retention rate.

This inspiring video, courtesy of the always awesome RadioLab, is a  great way to introduce the concept of associations to your students. You may want to help beginner students out a bit by giving them a list of the main words, and having them jot down all the associations they see. Challenge your more advanced students to find the common words on their own.

Here are the main words that I got. Did you find any others?

PLAY – blow – break – split – run – fly – fall – light – SPACE

For some teacher-friendly fun, check out Radio Lab’s full episode on Words.

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Your Resume in English, Lesson 1

| | January 10, 2012

If you want to work abroad or for an international company based in your country, having a well-written CV (known in the US as a “resume”) in English is CRUCIAL.

 

We will be posting tips on how to craft a resume that  gets noticed for your merits and your enviable handle of the English language, and not because it appears to be the work of an 8-year-old.  

Lesson 1: Replace your life story with a list

There is a place for creative writing, but your resume is NOT this place. It is NOT your opportunity to write the story of your life. While I’m sure this story is fascinating, no one has time to read it. The lucky person reading your resume most likely has hundreds of other resumes to read, and thus has no patience for long-winded accounts of greatness.

Like a web page, your resume should be organized into short chunks of information that can be easily scanned. Thus:

  • Bullet points are your friends.
  • Brevity is your friend.
  • Long sentences with lots of commas are your enemies.

 

Click through for a before-and-after example of a real resume. 

Continue reading »

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Using Language Skills to Make the Big Bucks

| | December 20, 2011

Note: We apologize for technical problems you may have experienced in receiving our posts via email. Please let us know if the problems continue.

Everyone wants to earn more money, get the corner office, grow professionally, and have an awesome life, right? Guess what, English teachers? You have the power to make that happen for your English student entourage, which in turn means more money for you!

According to a study done by the The Conference Board , proficiency in English communication (that would be speaking, reading comprehension, and writing) is ranked high as a necessary skill, and yet there are plenty of new entrants to the workforce who are deficient in speaking, reading, and writing.

Now, math has never been my strong point, but I figure that:

“Professionalism/Work Ethic, Teamwork/Collaboration and Oral Communications are rated as the three “most important” applied skills needed by entrants into today’s workforce.”

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“Knowledge of Foreign Languages will “increase in importance” in the next five years, more than any other basic skill, according to over 60 percent (63.3 percent) of the employer respondents.”

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OPPORTUNITY

The Conference Board study focuses on the U.S. job market, but that shouldn’t deter you from using this little factoid to beat your students over the head stress the importance of each of these methods of communication. While the value of written communication skills may differ from country to country, they are definitely crucial in the US. Meaning, if your students want to work in the US, they’d better bump writing up on their list of priorities.

We’ve talked about seizing opportunities before. So, do what you do best and teach your students how to leverage their English studies to get their dream job. But first, let’s help them get their foot in the door. Stay tuned for some great tips and real-world examples of how to write a resume for the English speaking world.

‘Tis the season to share the love. Leave us your tricks and tips for preparing students for the business world in the comments.

 

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How to Own Your Teaching Career

| | November 30, 2011

Pat the Teacher
Once upon a time there was a teacher–let’s call him Pat. Our Pat was smart, hardworking, and adventuresome.

One day, Pat got on a plane in search of new lands and new opportunities. In this new land, people talked differently, and Pat saw an opportunity.

Of course, Pat was not the first person to spot the opportunity language teaching presented. There were plenty of institutes happy to pay him squat while sending him to all corners of the new land, all the while giving him only enough classes to survive and insisting he not work for other institutes.

Despite these bleak conditions, Pat worked hard and built up a solid base of loyal students.

But he kept wishing his career was in his own hands, instead of another’s.

And then another opportunity presented itself.

Pat went to profeconnect.com and set up a free profile. He was able to quickly:

  • Differentiate himself from the masses of English teachers by explaining his professional experience
  • Specify the kinds of classes he wanted to teach and the kind of students he wanted to work with
  • Set his own hourly rate based on his experience, not what every other teacher was paid

Pat the Teacher

He uploaded a photo in order to be listed as a “Featured Profile” and attract more students.

He even uploaded a video of a sample class by following this simple tutorial.

 

Soon, Pat was being contacted by potential clients, had a schedule that suited his needs, and charged the rate he deserved with no middle man to pay.

The future was bright, and he was in charge.

The end.

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An Open Letter To The Dubious Student

| | November 17, 2011


Big Bang Theory

Photo Courtesy of Daemon's TV

Howard, you know me to be a very smart man.

Don’t you think if I were wrong, I’d know it?

(Ahem)
Dearest Student,

It is true that you have more experience and wisdom than I in many areas.

You most definitely studied longer and harder than I did for your undergraduate degree. And not because you’re stupid, but because you studied something “real” and “important.” Not [fill in the blank with liberal arts degree].

Let’s not even mention the MBA you have.

You probably have more years of work experience than I do, and you may have negotiated important treaties/deals/laws/contracts. I most certainly have not.

I am certain you have a much more prolific portfolio than I do. In fact, I don’t even have a portfolio. Wait, what’s a portfolio? All I have is a binder and a Bic.

You may have a big office and a slick car. I use public transportation.

You may be learning your third language by now. I speak 1.5.

Your achievements probably outshine mine by all measures.

But I have one thing that you don’t: I am an expert in the English language.

Teaching is my vocation, and I take pride in my work.

I will tell you when I don’t have an answer.

But when I do… you’ll just have to trust me.

Sincerely,

Teacher

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