February 29, 2016

Week 6: Around Town/Communities

POST-TESTING WILL START MARCH 7
Time flies - Post-testing will start next week.


OLDIE BUT GOODIE
I'd like to share a community map that I have had in my teacher files for 15 years. 
It's generic and just great. You can do so much with it. 
Elizabeth

TEACHING RESOURCES
There are some interesting activities about tenant's rights and housing here:
CLEO ESL Kits

VOLUNTEERING

Unit 3 of the Ventures Transitions books (for NRS 5-6 and TABE M/D students) is about Volunteering, and it includes a lot of great activities (the Grammar focus is on Indirect/Reported Speech).

Click here for the Ventures Transitions Audio Link 
(then Click "Unit 3" in "Student's/Self-study Audio" or "Teacher's audio"

Here are a few resources to add to the topic:

Volunteering is a great experience, and our students can also practice their English skills in a volunteer position. Did you know there is a Mayor's Office for Volunteering?  
Check out their website here: NYC Service.org

Of course, there are different ways to volunteer at the NYPL. Have your students find out about volunteering for the library here: Volunteer for the NYPL 

National Volunteer Week is in April. Read more about it here: National Volunteer Week

And finally, this YouTube video about community buildings. We are sure you can do something creative with it. ESL Vocabulary: Community Buildings

Speaking of Volunteering... Any volunteers for our next teacher interview on this blog? 
:)
Let us know, we'll mail you details.


GOOGLE HELP
This week's post is about Gmail. This article from Free Technology for Teachers is helpful:
3 Helpful Gmail Settings for Teachers and Students

Need more? Check out 33 worksheets for emailing on busyteacher.com

TEACHER TALK
As professionals, one thing we always should self-monitor is Teacher Talk. This brief article from the British Council addresses Teacher Talk (and ideas to limit it) here: 
Are You Talking Too Much in Class?


TEACHER WORKSHOPS 

SHOW US THE LOVE 

One of the only ways we can know if you like what we are doing is if you make a comment on our blog page. Like our blog? Are there topics you would like us to add? Please comment! 

Would you like to contribute something? A link, teaching tip, other? Any time!

Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!

Have a great week!
Elizabeth & Elke