A Dictogloss for One

A dictogloss is a remarkably simple idea that I have found to be very effective in improving a number of language skills. It is defined on the British Council Teaching English website as: "...a classroom dictation activity where learners are required to reconstruct a short text by listening and noting down key words, which are then used as a base for reconstruction."   There are many benefits to this particular activity, especially since it involves the student practicing all four language skills. They begin by listening, followed by note taking, text reconstruction and...

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When The Path Becomes Bumpy... Part Two.

Following on from last weeks post, here are more ideas for helping intermediate students continue their progress. You can read last weeks post here. Review Every class should begin or end, depending on your preference, with a five minute catch up of what was learned in the last class and since. It seems obvious, I know, but it often gets neglected at higher levels. I think it’s just as important at this stage, because we need to make the student aware of the learning that is taking place. Record speaking... ...transcribe it, listen and check it later. It can be difficult to pay attention...

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When The Path Becomes Bumpy... Part One.

A common problem that we can encounter when teaching intermediate students is helping them to continue their progress through the language. In the early stages of language learning, it is much easier for students to feel that they are improving as they have a lot to take in, so their abilities should increase at a notable rate. Once students more or less reach intermediate level, the rate of progress often slows to a point where the learners begin to think that they are not learning at all, or even going backwards.  This is probably not true, but compared to their previous experiences,...

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The worst thing about being a language teacher is... when you try to be a student again?

A couple of months ago, I wrote about how important I believe it is for language teachers to periodically have their own language classes. That way we can experience what it feels like to be a student (you can read the benefits as I see it here). With that in mind, I had my first Brazilian Portuguese class yesterday. This was my first language class as an English teacher, and I found that it was as an illuminating experience as I had hoped it would be. I also realised, however, that this may not entirely be a good thing. Instinctively I found myself analysing the teacher and his teaching...

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