Teach English Now! Foundational Principles

This module introduces learners to the role of a teacher in helping to motivate and properly engage learners. It begins with a metaphor: language is cake, meaning that language must be presented well in order to be enjoyed. This module demonstrates how a teacher can encourage a student and increase motivation by paying attention to techniques such as improving teacher talk, scaffolding language, and the use of body language to make meaning clear. All of these skills help a teacher recognize that presentation skills make a difference to learners not only in motivating them, but in allowing them to understand the concepts presented.

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In this module, learners are introduced to the distinction between learning and acquisition. The distinction is made to help give learners context for the principle that language requires practice. The module demonstrates that students who simply learn through memorizing vocabulary and grammar structures (focused mode) often don't acquire language structures. Teachers who engage students in both a focused and diffuse mode, like a basketball coach with players, are able to instruct but give time for that instruction to "sink in" through dedicated practice.

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Using language-learning expert Francois Gouin's experience of failing to learn German, this module demonstrates the need for learners to understand how a language is learned. Gouin's experience shows the need for a diffuse mode of learning wherein practice is valued, and demonstrates the psyche of many second language learners. Students must use techniques and strategies that are proven to help acquire language, like those from the good language learner studies. Teachers can facilitate student learning by helping to demonstrate good language learner principles.

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This module presents ways to use the internet and other resources to a teacher's advantage, and helps teachers recognize their ability to engage students on cell phones, tablets, and computers. It introduces the flipped classroom concept, meaning that learners can engage in focused material (videos, readings, etc) outside the classroom, and then engage in projects, exercises, and discussions within it. The module explores how, with the advent of the internet, it's now possible to be immersed in English outside of an English-speaking country.

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This module introduces the concept of teacher burnout, and several techniques to avoid it. The first technique is the creation of a network of teachers to help understand the field, learn new ideas and have resources for solving difficult problems. The second technique, maintaining control of your teaching environment, demonstrates the need for teachers to understand how to best make a difference and avoid the pitfalls of complaining. The third technique, finding your core, explains that teachers can paradoxically maintain energy by working tirelessly for the principles they most believe in.

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This review of the course guides learners to understand the different metaphors that serve as guides to understanding the foundational principles presented in this course. It provides a taxonomy of language learning and includes a final assessment to test comprehensive understanding of the course material.

Skills you'll gain

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