Pros and Cons of Norming in the EFL Classroom

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While norming has been part of education in some parts of the world, such as the USA for a few decades, in others it's just starting to take place. It's the third part of team building: forming, storming, norming, preforming. While norming can be a good thing, care has to be taken to make sure it is done correctly.  Below you can find a few pros and cons to norming.

Pros

• Rubrics are the same: teachers ensure that students are graded based on the same standards.
• There are standards to learning: since the teachers know what will be on the rubric, this ensures that all students, even those taught by different teachers, will learn the same thing by the end of the semester.
• It's fairer: all students are held to the same standard.
• Teachers can easily find problem areas: and then fix them if most students due poorly in one area.

Cons

• No catering to students' needs: individuality is not acknowledge. Everyone is expect to reach the same level despite their different starting levels, abilities, or majors. 
• Lots of time is wasted: it's hard for teachers to agree on what to put in the rubrics and they rarely receive any training on how to make them.
• Teaching to the test: since teachers want their students to do well many just teach to the test. 
• Data isn't used: all this data is gathered, but teachers don't see how their students did compared to other teachers' students.

As you can see there are pros and cons and both need to be carefully considered before norming is used.

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The Problem With Level Testing

From Teknobites

Many schools have started grouping students by levels and requiring them to take a level test first. While this seems to work pretty well at language schools it may backfire in schools and universities, especially when English is a required course.

Although you would think that people would try their best at level testing, some students deliberately choose the wrong answer so that they're put in a lower level. The idea behind this is that they can get an easy A. Some schools are starting to realise this and are using official tests, such as the Korean SATs, IELTS, or TOEFL, to group students. If your school does so level testing make sure to gauge students' levels the first few weeks of class and ask your director to move students out of your class if their level is too high.

NB: I'll be on vacation in July and August. While I'm gone you can check out my other blogs. New posts at TEFL Tips will be coming out in September.

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How to Set Prices for Private Lessons

From VK

I previously wrote about how to get private students and how to teach private classes. I also wrote about the dangers of competing with other teachers on price. So how exactly do you decide how much to charge students? Here are some things to consider.

Level: Very high levels and very low levels of English often require a lot of prep and many teachers charge more because of this.

Student Age: Again, the money is in the opposite extreme. Very young kids and business people often pay more for private English classes.

Type of class: If it's general English you're going to be charging less than teachers who do exam prep or EAP for example. 

How often you meet per week: Some teachers give students discounts for multiple classes per week.

How long the classes are:  A teacher may charge 50 for an hour class and 90 for a two hour class.

Commuting time: I'm against charging more for students who live further away. You wouldn't ask your boss to pay you more because you have to travel further than your co-worker. If you don't want to travel too far simply don't accept the student.

If you're interested in earning more money by tutoring, here's a guide that will help you set up your tutoring business. 

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Why You Should Use Role Plays in Class

Using role plays in class is great to get students motivated and involved in learning. This holds especially true for ESL and EFL classes. Role plays can be used with all ages and levels.

All Levels
They can be good for beginners because they can see how they can use the few words they know. Intermediate students often hit a plateau and role plays can help them grasp more words for specific situations. Role plays can help advanced students become more fluent in English.

All Ages
Children really enjoy doing role plays since they often pretend on their own. When left on their own children are likely to play house, pretend to be dinosaurs, or act in any number of situations. Using role plays with teens is a great way to get them up, doing something, and involved in the class. Adults might already have experience with role plays in the workforce, at training events for example.

Different Ways of Learning
People learn differently and some people learn by doing. If you combine speaking a foreign language with actions they may be more likely to remember.

Positive Feedback
Students are able to get immediate positive feedback through applause and verbal feedback. Both you the teacher and other students can tell the actors what they've done well.

Review the Lesson
Role plays allow students to use new words, expressions, and grammar in a suitable context. By using what they've learnt earlier in the lesson straightaway, they are more likely to retain what they've learnt.


Useful Links
You might want to check out fun ESL plays for children, role play ideas that work, and example role plays.

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Quick Tip: Use the Pause Procedure in Class

From gradhack.org

The Pause Procedure is one part of enhanced lectures. The principle behind it is simple: stop talking. Attention spans for adults are only about 10-20 minutes long, so a lot of what is said during a lecture will be shortly forgotten afterwards. Kids have even a shorter attention span with some saying it correlates to their age. So if they're 5 years old, they can pay attention for 5 minutes.

Research backs the pause procedure up. Lectures would talk for 12-18 minutes and then stop talking for a couple of minutes. During this time students would work in pairs without the teacher interfering. After the entire lecture finished students had 3 minutes to write down what they learned.

The results were shocking. 12 days after the lecture a 65 multiple choice quiz was given. Teachers who had employed the pause procedure had students sore up to two letter grades higher than students whose teacher did not use the pause procedure. Teachers are only lecturing about 6 minutes less than if they don't use the pause procedure. It's all about quality not quantity.

Some people say that the pause procedure isn't good since it cuts down on lecture time, but the results speak for themselves. Teachers work less but get paid the same. Students are more active in class and learn more. Students and teachers are happy so the admin is happy. It's a win-win-win situation.

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Hot Topic: Are Ice Breakers and Intros Worth It?

From matthewrae.com

Class intros
Most teachers spend the first day or two of class doing ice breakers and introductions. I've done this too. I've gone around the room and had students introduce themselves and then I've introduced myself and asked them if they had any questions. I usually got questions like:

• Are you married?
• Do you have kids?
• How long have you been in this country?
• Do you speak the language?
• What do you think of this country?

I willingly answered all their questions. Then I got to thinking. When had my teachers ever allowed me such as insight into their lives? Or when had we actually gone around the room and introduced ourselves? The answer to both questions is never. Even in language classes I've never introduced myself.

But this could be because:

• It's unrealistic and contrived
• It's a waste of time

Some people disagree and say:

• We're supposed to be all friendly with our students
• It allows teachers to gauge students' level

I know that I've stopped doing introductions. I found that everyone basically says the same thing. It goes like this, "My name is John. I'm from Korea. I'm studying Engineering."

Doing Ice Breakers
I've found ice breakers or warmers to be a bit more useful. After talking about the syllabus I move on to ice breakers. You know the classic "Find someone who" game or writing about goals for the class. I really like writing goals. It's less stressful since students are expected to speak and it's useful.

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Quick Tip: Create Material for Substitute Teachers

If you're like me, you do things your own way. You have things organised just the way you like them and you know where everything is and when you're going to teach what. The problem is that if you get sick or there's an emergency and a sub has to take over your classes, they might not understand what they should do.

I suggest making a doc on your computer or printing out info for a sub. You should explain basic things, such as which rooms your classes are in and the levels of your students. You should also consider including your syllabus and any materials that you have. If you don't have your materials, you should at least have a record of what you last did in class.

This will help in two ways. First, it'll force you to be more organised and plan ahead. Secondly, it'll help the sub if they ever have to teach your class.


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Cool Link: 1-Language

Although it looks like a site that you have to pay for in order to access, 1-Language actually has a lot of info available for free.

There's a free English course which mostly contains grammar, they also have ESL flash games, quizzes, essay writing, a reading library, and more. If you're teaching beginners, try scrolling down a bit and you'll see flashcards, alphabet, and phonics worksheets. They have writing sheets for more advanced levels as well as articles about learning English, proverbs, English dialects, and methods for learning English. You can use the material in class or have your students work on their own.


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Quick Tip: Have a Talent Show

If you're working with young learners, talent shows are great. Even if you work with older students, talent shows can work. Whether your students are beginners or advanced, talent shows are perfect for showcasing their abilities.

While it would be great for students to use English and sing English songs, recite English poetry, tell an English story, or put on an English skit, it's not necessary for all students to use English.

Talent shows do many good things such as provide students with the chance to show off what they've learnt, shows parents their children's progress, helps administrators prove that their school is teaching well, and also allows you as a teacher to show off your students.They may take a bit of organisation and can be stressful, but they're well worth it.

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ESL Educator's Blog Carnival: Tips for Teaching Specific Groups

TEFL Tips is hosting this month's carnival. The topic for is tips for teaching specific groups of learners. If you're interested in participating in this blog carnival please contact me.

. . .  from My Several Worlds
Teaching English as a Second Language can be a challenge for any native English speaker, even those with TEFL training. This month, Carrie Kellenberger offers three tips to teach specific groups of ESL learners, including tips for teaching kids, teenagers, adults, Business English, IELTS, and zero-beginners. You can find Carrie's tips and more at the ESL educator's guide - tips for teaching to specific groups of ESL students at My Several Worlds.

Carrie Kellenberger, a freelance writer and photographer living in Asia since 2003, writes about life as an expat, Asian travel destinations, and her experiences working in the ESL industry on her award-winning web site, My Several Worlds.


. . . from Wandering Educators
The Jo Sheppard Head Start Center in Florida serves immigrant and migrant populations. The classrooms are cozy, linguistically rich environments. There is a solid group of well-trained teachers guiding the cognitive, emotional, and linguistic development of the children in a variety of ways. The Center’s focus remains bilingualism: acquire English and develop Spanish. The school is a model for bilingual education. You can find Maria's tips and more at soar leaders tomorrow.

Maria Alvarez is the ESL Editor for Wandering Educators. She teaches ESL/Bilingual Endorsement Courses at Quincy University, and is a tutor and academic advisor IB/AP English and Spanish, College Prep.

. . . from TEFL Tips
Teaching young learners is particularly rewarding because they learn so quickly. However, it can also be challenging to teach when the girls are sitting nicely with their hands folded on their laps while the boys run laps around the classroom. Or when the boys are eager to do science experiments and the girls want nothing to do with them. No one can deny that boys and girls learn differently. Therefore it's only logical that you adapt your activities to suit them. Making simple changes will allow boys and girls to get the most out of class. You can find Sharon's tips and more at how boys and girls learn differently and what to do about it.

Sharon de Hinojosa has been TEFLing since 2003.  She started posting on Dave’s ESL Cafe and found herself regularly giving advice to newbies and thought it would be good to compile answers to FAQ that newbies often have and that’s how TEFL Tips got started.

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Cool Link: EFL Classroom 2.0

This award winning site has lots and lots of information, but it's well organised, so you'll be able to find everything you need.  EFL Classroom 2.0 has15 different sections with information such as teacher training, young learners, eLearning, resources, most popular, and music. 

You've got to see this site to believe it. There's so much that you could use in your classroom whether you're teaching young learners, children, teenagers, and adults.  My favourite part is all the technology, such as videos and eStories that they have available.


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Cool Link: Teach ESL to Kids

Teach ESL to Kids has lots of material that will help children learn English. On her site you will find, ESL activities and games, tips for teaching ESL to specific age groups, how to use songs, as well as advice for teaching children. Take a look around, there's lots of useful info. The downside to this site?  It hasn't been updated since 2009.


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Cool Link: Behavior Advisor

Classroom discipline is always an issue whether you're teaching kids or adults.  With kids you're trying to make them sit down and stop moving. With adults you're trying to unplug them from their smart phones or wake up.

Behavior Advisor is aimed at K-12 students and has some great tips for teachers. With tips such as intervention strategies, free podcasts and videos, and tips for parents, you're sure to find something that can help you out.

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Hot Topic: No Textbooks

There seems to be a move away from textbooks and it's not just limited to the EFL or ESL field.  I taught at an international school in 2008 and they shunned textbooks like the plague. Teachers were expected to come up with their own material based on their students' needs.

It's a good idea in theory. Though in practice doesn't work. We were told that we were expected to create a curriculum for the entire first semestre for EFL, Maths, and Science. In three days and without meeting the students or seeing any previous work they had done.

It was an impossible task. Even if we knew the students, how could we know what they had learnt the previous years?

The school had some books in the basement, but weren't labeled or organised by year. So I found some books that I thought were appropriate for extensive reading, starting thinking about projects, quizzes, and exams and brought them to my class. Only to be told that they had read the book the previous year.

I feel that while it's great for schools to push teachers to be creative and make material that's suited for their students' needs, it really help to have a book to base everything off. That's not to say that you have to follow the book word for word, but having that book can be your guide and can also help the teacher who teaches your students next. Standardisation is also becoming an issue and it's hard to do if there are no textbooks and no records of what has previously been taught.

What do you think?
Are textbooks evil?  Do you follow a textbook at your school?

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Poll Results December 2011: Where do you teach?

Question: Where do you teach?

• Primary school: 16% with 9 votes
• Secondary school: 16% with 9 votes
• Middle school: 14% with 8 votes
• Kindergarten: 13% with 7 votes
• University: 13% with 7 votes
• Private lessons: 11% with 6 votes
• Institute: 9% with 5 votes
• Business: 5% with 3 votes
• College: 3% with 2 votes

January's poll: How many years experience do you have? Be sure to vote now!

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Cool Link: Bradley's English School

If you're looking for free interactive ESL and EFL activities, then take a look at Bradley's English School. The site is aimed towards young learners, children, and beginners.

They have games such as the alphabet, concentration, hangman, and jumbled spelling. In addition to fun and games, they also have worksheets, like putting words in alphabetical order, crosswords, and wordsearches.  If you want to use interactive learning with your students, then try Bradley's English School.


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Cool Link: The Teachers Net

The Teachers' Net is a very simple site for those teaching young learners or children.  They have 6 sections on the main page: learning tools, educator sites, search tools, safety-copyright web evaluation teacher tools, graphic organisers, and email.  On page 2 they have links to more educator sites.


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Cool Link: Super Teacher Worksheets

Super Teacher Worksheets is dedicated to providing teachers with great worksheets for a variety of subjects. They have ELA - Language Arts, which is useful if you teach ESL or EFL.

They also have core subjects, such as math, reading and writing, phonics (for teaching English to young learners), grammar (which also might be of interest to ESL and EFL teachers), spelling, science and social studies as well as holiday worksheets. Their puzzles and brain teasers are worth checking out no matter what subject you teach.

There's also a teacher helpers section which has teaching tools, award certificates, and sticker charts. Super Teacher Worksheets is incredibly well organised and everything is easy to find, so take a look and see if there's anything you can use in your classroom.


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Cool Link: Kids' Front

If you teach preschoolers or young learners, you're going to want to take a look at Kids' Front. They've got lots of free printables for preschool aged children.

The nice thing about Kid's Front is that not only do they have English activities that are suitable for ESL and EFL young learners, but they also have other subjects as well, such as science and math. They have a special game section called, Learn with Fun and their Activity Centre and Puzzles are also worth looking at.

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Poll Results October 2011: Who do you teach?

Question: Who do you teach?

• Primary schoolers: 23% with 11 votes
• Middle schoolers: 21% with 10 votes
• Adults: 18% with 9 votes
• Young learners: 16% with 8 votes
• University students: 14% with 7 votes
• High schoolers: 8% with 4 votes

November's poll: How many years of experience do you have? Be sure to vote now!

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