Resource Description:

Joint IATEFL/TESOL Web Conference
17 November 2016

The unprecedented global demand, use and appropriation of English as an international language have complicated the notion of “English” and challenged the fundamental assumptions (in)forming ELT. Departing from this premise, this presentation aims to unpack English language learning, teaching and teacher education practices informed by the present-day global sociolinguistic order in which English plays a major role. To memorialize and honor Braj Kachru, the originator of World Englishes and the Circles of English model, the presentation will make specific emphasis on Kachru’s legacy in re-examining teaching and teacher education practices vis-à-vis the diverse uses, users, functions and contexts of English.

Resource Type: Live Event Resources

Resource Description:

Joint IATEFL/TESOL Web Conference
17 November 2016

Research in the TESOL field has embraced the notions of intelligibility and World Englishes. This view is consistent with the idea that the idealized native English speaker is no longer realistic in a globalized world. However, these notions have not been widely adopted at the levels of hiring practices and materials development. The presenter will describe the theory-practice mismatch, make the case for the adoption of inclusive hiring decisions and materials development practices, and identify practices that draw on such an inclusive view. 

Resource Type: Live Event Resources

Resource Description:

Joint IATEFL/TESOL Web Conference
17 November 2016 

Hailing mostly from the English-speaking Caribbean, so-called dialect-different students can easily fall through the educational cracks. Their needs differ from those typically addressed by Teachers of English as a Second Language, whose assistance they are often denied because English is their first language! Yet mainstream teachers are perhaps even less likely to be familiar with their dialects and cultures or to be equipped with pedagogical strategies to help these students to succeed in the classroom and in society. This presentation unravels and addresses key questions and concerns often raised by teachers who confront this special challenge.

Resource Type: Live Event Resources

Resource Description:

Joint IATEFL/TESOL Web Conference
17 November 2016

Research into English as a Lingua Franca, or ELF for short, was originally concerned with identifying ELF features. In the early days of ELF research, it was thought that it might eventually be possible to identify and codify varieties of ELF as had been done with mother tongue and postcolonial varieties of World Englishes. At that stage, most ELF research focused on phonology/phonetics, lexico-grammar, and pragmatics. However, as the body of empirical findings grew, it became clear that ELF and World Englishes were different phenomena, and that because ELF transcends national/language boundaries rather than being situated within them, the language varieties approach of World Englishes was not appropriate for thinking about ELF. The focus of ELF research then turned to exploring how ELF communication functions across these boundaries, its essential fluidity, and the ways in which speakers from a range of different first languages negotiate meaning among themselves. Most recently, the relationship between multilingualism and ELF has been re-examined and the two have been repositioned. In my talk, I will discuss the evolution of ELF research from its beginnings to the present day, and consider the possible future of ELF, including the potential implications of Britain’s forthcoming exit from the European Union. 

Resource Type: Live Event Resources

Resource Description:

Joint IATEFL/TESOL Web Conference
17 November 2016

One of the consequences of the global spread of English has been a notable increase in the culture-specific content of everyday conversation among fluent L2 speakers. Despite excellent competence in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, communicative breakdowns often occur when speakers of different English varieties fail to grasp the meaning of an utterance that one of them has taken for granted. The talk illustrates the kind of culture-specific items encountered, discusses the problems in current approaches, describes a fruitful taxonomy, and suggests how it might be implemented. Using the internet, the lexical-cultural identities of emerging Englishes around the world could be captured, collated, and presented as a teaching resource. 

Resource Type: Live Event Resources

Resource Description: The methods widely adopted in L2 instruction focus attention on the outcomes of listening rather than tackling the causes of comprehension failure. This presentation aims to enhance understanding of a) the various cognitive processes that contribute to competent listening; and b) the characteristics of natural  English speech that create perceptual  difficulties for L2 listeners. There will be suggestions as to how this information can feed into intensive listening practice that actively assists progress.

Resource Type: Virtual Seminars

Resource Description: SOMMER'S WORLD LITERATURE TO GO is a YouTube channel that provides short and entertaining summaries of the most important works of world literature in a maximum of 10 minutes - with the help of Playmobil figures. 

Resource Type: Teaching Tips

Resource Description: This is a sample lesson plan for teacher training, which focuses on learn before lecture (LBL) methodology. It may be used as a professional development unit for L2 English speaking university professors from a multicultural university environment where the language of instruction is English. The background reading for the unit would be conducted in English as would the PD session and all assigned work for the professor-students. 

Resource Type: Lesson Plans

Resource Description: The resource is a curriculum consisting of eight thematic units, designed to provide specific scaffolded preparation for AELLs to successfully pass the essay portion of the Accuplacer WritePlacer, CCPT and the new GED. It can be adapted for the essay portion of other Community College entrance exams. We have developed the scope and sequence of all eight units, and the lessons for one full unit (Unit 3).

Resource Type: Lesson Plans

Resource Description: In Decemeber 2015, President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) into law, replacing the No Child Left Behind Act. ESSA brings sweeping policy changes to the K-12 arena that all educators should be aware of. With a primary focus on the changes to Title I and Title III, this webinar will provide a broad overview of the law and how it affects English learners and TESOL professionals.

Resource Type: Virtual Seminars

Resource Description: This session will give participants an overview of translanguaging theory – which is the flexible and dynamic use of students’ language repertoires to support learning English and content areas, as well as to develop home language practices in schools.  Examples from K-12 classrooms, along with their impact on teaching and learning in ESL settings will be provided and analyzed.

Resource Type: Virtual Seminars

Resource Description: In this webinar, Dr. de Jong (TESOL President-Elect) shares several innovations she has implemented at her college of education to deepen the knowledge base of mainstream educators about effective ELL instruction in K-12 schools.

Resource Type: Teaching Tips

Resource Description: This is a Voter Education Guide Related to Mental Health and Education, Natural Disaster Handout, and Social Justice Material shared with TESOL from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS. 

Resource Type: Activities

Resource Description: In this video by the Video and Digital Media Interest Section chair, Julie Lopez shares her process for making a film and how she saves time in post-production (editing). Please feel free to leave a comment or question below!

Resource Type: Teaching Tips

Resource Description:

A classic short story by Oscar Wilde, especially adapted for English learners. The download also includes a glossary of unfamiliar words, general understanding questions, and detailed grammatical analysis of the text, as well as some literary questions to consider.  Some ideas are including on how short stories could be used by language learners. Audio material is also available. This is one in a series of 60 books for English language learners.

Resource Type: Activities