The Bilingual English Teacher's Family - Left Out and Neglected?

Can Your Family Members Speak Another Language?

As yet another summer vacation season closes with the passing of the Labor Day holiday weekend, I'm again prodded by a segment of the speech President Barak Obama gave during his campaign. As English as a foreign language teachers or foreign language teaching professionals, we need to be even more conscious of the bilingualism - or lack thereof, of our own families. Too often I meet seemingly "passionate" English as a foreign language teachers at seminars and conferences whose own family members cannot even say a basic greeting in English.

Oh, they say they'd like to be able to speak English, so what happened?

Remember as teachers, we shouldn't neglect our family members. If there are so many advantages and benefits to speaking a foreign language, then why don't we make more of an effort to pass along those same benefits and advantages to our loved ones?

"Oh, my husband / wife / children don't respond well to my efforts to "teach" them", you say?

"Poppycock!"

They simply represent a type of foreign language learner with perhaps a different type of motivation. What if they were paying learners in one of your classes? Ah, I'll bet we'd see the other shoe drop then! Especially so if your job or your pride were on the line. Which, by the way, it should be.

At least, if truly need be, you can put in a class or with another teacher so they can avail themselves of the option of speaking a foreign tongue. After all, when you travel who do you travel with, your classroom learners or your family? Don't you think they'd benefit from being able to enjoy a trip to, say, Mexico, Ecuador or Panama, with some Spanish under their belt? I don't allways want to charge around Quito or Acapulco with my wife (whom I taught English to BEFORE I married her, by the way) while she shops. Although it might be one form of safeguard, come to think of it.

Then too, one of my daughters is learning Spanish at the university. No, I'm not teaching her, but I'll be delighted to hone and polish her Spanish skills with a summer, semester or two abroad. The beach in Cancun is an excellent Spanish language classroom. Then follow it up with more total immersion as you wend your way through the delights and intricacies of dealing with everyday life in a foreign language. Hey, it worked for me in learning French and Spanish during different decades. It worked for my wife too when tackling English along with me and my cattle prod. Undoubtedly, it'll work for you and your family too when combined with additional methodologies.

Think about it: are YOU an English teacher whose family can't speak any English? Are you a Spanish, French, or other foreign language teacher whose family is still typically "mono-lingual"? Do you think that just might reflect negatively on you? If you're such a good teacher, why can't you teach them? So, what are you and they, going to do about it?

In case you missed President Barak Obama's speech I referred to earlier, here it is.



Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book, “If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Greenville Spanish Teacher Wins Award

By KATHERINE DYER
The Greenville News

GREENVILLE, SC – As a student, Kelly Nalley was an overachiever.

She was valedictorian of her high school graduating class and was voted "most likely to succeed" by her peers.

But on her first day as a first-year middle school Spanish teacher, Nalley stapled her finger to the bulletin board. She was 21 years old, and the class was scheduled to arrive 10 minutes later.

That year, she also spent many afternoons crying in her supply closet, exhausted and frustrated.

"Nothing had ever been negative in my life before," she says. "Everyone had always been nice."

In her professional biography she wrote, "After that first year, I decided that I would commit to teach for five years, and if I was still crying in my supply closet, I would find a new career."

It's been 12 years, and on Aug. 14, Nalley was on stage – a far cry from any storage closet – receiving an award as the 2009-10 Greenville County Teacher of the Year.

"She's just one of those teachers who's so naturally good at what they do," said Reem Alnatour, a fellow Fork Shoals Elementary School teacher.

She said Nalley is soft-spoken but effective in classroom management, is in touch with students' emotions, has a good sense of humor and above all, is engaging.

"Whether you're a teacher or a student, she manages to make you feel like you're No. 1," Alnatour said. "She talks to you as if you're the only person around."

She also praised Nalley's classroom activities.

"She tries to bring in the Spanish culture, not necessarily just the language," Alnatour said.

Nalley visits Alnatour's third-grade class twice weekly for Spanish lessons. Alnatour's personal favorite is the lesson on chocolate.

But unlike traditional foreign language classes, Nalley uses a new program called KITE-LL (Kids Interacting Through Early Language Learning), developed three years ago by ETV and the South Carolina Department of Education.

The program integrates foreign language into what students are learning in other subjects. For example, she covers a unit on weather while the students are learning the water cycle in science.

"They're learning the lessons in context," Nalley said. "I'm not stopping to explain how to conjugate verbs or 'how this grammar fits' or how it's comparable to English. We just speak it."

She says it's been incredible to see the difference in how much children learn through this method. Her fifth-graders are on par with students she taught in high school, she said.

"I think in the great scheme of things, I've learned that everything doesn't have to be perfect, because I'm a perfectionist," Nalley said. "That was a hard lesson to learn."

Offering advice for the new school year, she encourages teachers to work together and share ideas.

"You're not an isolated professional in education; you're a team," she said.

Jack Webb Schools Barack Obama on Healthcare

Jack Webb Schools Barack Obama on Healthcare

This composite video of the late Jack Webb from his renowned "Dragnet" TV series came to my attention recently. Also featured is the late Harry Morgan as his partner. This show was a favorite of mine in years past.

This video editing technique ties in well with an exercise I conduct in which English language learners "interview" a famous person. Preferably the famous person is deceased (but sometimes not and learners frequently choose people like Jesus Christ or one of his 12 apostles, Adolph Hitler, Mahatma Ghandi, Abraham Lincoln, President John F. Kennedy, Julius Caesar, the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate - who interviewed Jesus Christ is also a burgeoning favorite, as are Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley, John Lennon, Princess Diana, Celia Cruz and a growing host of others for their interviews. Using video clips of famous people and some video editing software, one can easily "simulate" an "interview" or "conversation" between any two people, living or deceased. In my classroom-based activity, one English language learner acts as an interviewer while the other takes the role of a famous personality. Both can ask each other questions on their life, points of view, etc. and give the best, most accurate response possible in character.

You'll get the idea from watching this video of three people talking who don't actually know each other.

Youtube original video site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4r6YCUtxfs

Funny Commercials in English

Using Humorous Videos in English Language Classes to Stimulate Learner Discussions


Humor is not a constant worldwide, but often does transfer like nothing else can. These commercials would be considered a bit risque in some areas, while in others they are strictly noted for their situational humor.

That being said, please note it is not my intent to berate, belittle, humiliate or embarrass anyone through the showing of these four commercials. Please pardon me if you are offended in any way by any of them. Their use is solely language education-based here.

Ask Your English Language Learners

You can ask your learners - or yourself - are these humorous where you live? Why? or why not?

Do these situations pose themselves in your country?

Why might these commercials be considered "offensive" or even "objectionable" in some areas of the world? Where might these be?

Do you or your English language learners know of any similar situations like these that might arise where you are?

Have you ever been to a sauna? Where? what was it like? Did you enjoy it? Why or why not?

Have you ever lost money in a vending machine? What were you trying to buy? What happened? Do you think "roughing up" the machine is okay if you're losing your money? What else could you do?

Do women breastfeed babies in public (on the bus, a subway, train or in a shopping center or mall, for example) where you live? They do here in Colombia where I live but could get arrested for doing the same in the USA or parts of the Middle East, among others. Why do you think it's okay to breastfeed babies in public in some countries, but not in others?

What might happen when the elderly ladies return home with their "vacation" photos?
How might they explain the one photo they didn't take? What problems might this cause for them or for the young couple? Will they keep the photo or throw it away?

I hope you enjoy the videos and make good use of this technique.

You Tube original video site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRiYkwtBK34&feature=browch




Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book, “If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

21 Places to Find Free ESL Lesson Plans Online

Being an ESL teacher requires a lot of creativity, but you don’t need to reinvent the wheel for each and every lesson; here are 21 places to find free ESL lesson plans, worksheets, and activities online to make sure you always have something new and exciting for your students:

1. About.com: English Lesson Plans for ESL/EFL Classes: Over 500 lessons plans for all age and skill levels; grammar, pronunciation, writing skills, and more are covered.

2. English Club: ESL Worksheets: Reading, pronunciation, speaking, and more included in lesson plans categorized by skill level.

3. English-to-go.com: More than 1,700 “print and teach” lessons based on news articles.

4. eslflow.com: With topics like sleeping and dreaming, multiple intelligences, money and spending, and movies and celebrities, there are plenty of unique lesson ideas here.

5. esl-galaxy.com: Wide variety of printable resources including board games, crossword puzzles, word searches, and Business English.

6. ESLGold: Organized by skill level, this is a site for both teachers and students; lots of lesson plans and handouts.

7. ESL Library: Hundreds of lesson plans and over 2000 ready-to-print flash cards among other resources.

8. esl-lounge.com: Simply choose the skill level of your students, and you’ll find lesson plans, quizzes, games, and more.

9. ESL Mania: Exercises, worksheets, and lesson plans on the basics like grammar and vocabulary as well as idioms and accent reduction, e.g., “Speak Business English Like an American.”

10. ESL Teachers Board: You’ll find lesson plans, printables, handouts, and other free stuff for teachers at this popular site.

11. everythingESL.net: Lesson Plans. Forty-one ESL lesson plans for beginner to intermediate level, including seasonal and year-round lesson plans.

12. The Internet TESL Journal Activities for ESL Students: Grammar and vocabulary quizzes, crossword puzzles, and bilingual quizzes in over 40 languages.

13. The Internet TESL Journal EFL/ESL Lessons and Lesson Plans: In-depth lesson plans on Business English, conversation, grammar, pronunciation, travel survival, and more.

14. Karin’s ESL Partyland: A site for both teachers and students; for teachers, lots of ideas and printable materials.

15. Lanternfish: This lively site offers lesson plans, crosswords, word searches, worksheets, flashcards, songs, and more.

16. Online Tutoring World: Lesson plans arranged by skill level; great for one-on-one or small group sessions.

17. Teach ESL to Kids: Lesson plans, activities, and games for teaching pre-schoolers and toddlers written by an English teacher in Japan.

18. TeacherVision.com: Lesson plans broken down by grade, subject, and theme, and also includes printable forms to manage lessons.

19. Teach-nology.com: ESL Lesson Plans. List of resources as well as activities, ideas, and handouts ESL teachers can plan lessons around.

20. TEFL.net ESL Lesson Plans: Talking Point, Topic, Skill-Based, and “TEFLtastic” Worksheets to build lessons around.

21. UsingEnglish.com: ESL Teacher Lesson Plans & Worksheets. Over 140 downloadable PDF lesson plans and handouts, including answers and teachers’ notes.

Guest post by Michelle Fabio, experienced ESL teacher in southern Italy, who also writes about online master degree programs at OnlineMasterDegreePrograms.org.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book, “If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.