Teacher training, ESL & EFL
I am collecting evaluations of various teacher training programs for this section of my site. If you'd like to share your expereince in a teacher training program, please email jtrotta@gmail.com.
I've completed two teacher training programs, my CELTA in 2001 and my Master of Applied Linguistics in 2004. While I learned something during each program, I was not satisfied with either. Currently, I am a teacher trainer in the TESOL certificate program at Sookmyung Women's University.
I hope to collect articles in this section of my site to help teachers make informed decisions about enrolling in teacher training programs and to help teacher trainers improve their programs.
Since I hate saying only a little, why not see if the latest entries on my Teaching English in Korea blog are of any interest to you?
Lesbian discrimination or religious persecution?Interesting story here that might be used in discussion classes. Seems a religious B&B owner was uncomfortable letting a lesbian couple sleep in her establishment and told them she didn't want them as customers. The debate is fairly evenly mixed...Advertising in school?Discussion question: Should schools sell ad space inside the school building and/or on report cards and/or in the school buses?In the aftermath of the Great Recession, a public school district in Colorado is selling ads on report cards and Utah...Arrest a couple with a young child for shoplifting?Big news in America at the moment that could be an interesting discussion topic: A pregnant woman, her husband, and their 3-year-old go grocery shopping. While shopping they grab two sandwiches that together cost $5. She openly munched on one...Stutterer told not to speak in classInteresting story here from the New York Times. A professor told one of her students not to speak in class because he stutters and his questions take too much class time. While you want to treat everyone equally, what happens...An example of a world schools government whip speechI've seen many whip speakers struggle with the format of their speech. What does it mean to summarize the clashes? This one starts at about 6:45 and then continues: We start off the introduction. Then we get the three actors...NYU and Columbia are going globalInteresting New York Times article here on the new international campuses that have or soon will be opened by two of New York's most famous schools....Tell me about yourselfHere's one suggestion on how to answer one of the most common job interview questions, "Tell me about yourself." As one commenter rightly points out, however, the job candidate doesn't come across as very interesting or likable. You need to...Rachel's interview scenes with Mr. Zelner from Ralph LaurenHere's the link to Rachel's interviews with the Ralph Lauren guy: http://youtu.be/yKL5SJLCchs Most of it is just silly, but toward the end she does lay out a few messages (courage and integrity). She doesn't do a good job in discussing...Which ranking system is more helpful?Washington Monthly takes a critical look at The U.S. News & World Report college rankings:The U.S. News & World Report "relies on crude and easily manipulated measures of wealth, exclusivity, and prestige for its rankings," Washington Monthly editor Paul Glastris...Some Korean American intercultural roleplaysBased on giving and receiving compliments: I laugh in your face I say no Yes I am brilliant...Mississippi judge throws man with fun hair out of courtThis might lead to an interesting discussion on what kind of clothes, hairstyles, and behavior should be allowed in court....What is the value of a US college education?As people complain that college education in American is too expensive, this New York Times article argues that it's still worth it.The Hamilton Project, a research group in Washington, has just finished a comparison of college with other investments. It...Teacher fired for assaulting a student or for self defense?We know school rules disallow students from defending themselves against other students. What about teachers? Should they be allowed to defend themselves? The student who defends himself or herself probably faces a few days off from school as in the...Discussion topic - cops arresting man in wheelchairBig news in America right now. Let me give you a few language samples from native speakers: Maybe he did lunge for the weapon - he suddenly thrust out his hand which could've been a punch, or a grab...Does this coach deserve to get fired?He warned his high school athletes not to run with shirts off but I guess the message didn't get through. Article here. This might also lead to a discussion of high school sports and double standards: "Westwood High track coach...
