Blog Archives

'Let it Go' sung in 25 languages

31/3/2014

Disney recently released a compilation of the song 'Let it Go' from the movie Frozen, sung in 25 languages. Apart from being a simple but effective promotion for languages, this short clip is also a great motivational learning tool for students, even if the language they are learning is not one of the 25 covered in the song.

Do you use songs with your students? Why did you choose a song? How did your students respond?

Official Notice: HSC Languages Beginners and Continuers examinations - Listening components

28/3/2014

For full information on the current format and changes to the Listening components of the HSC Languages Beginners and Continuers courses please follow th link below .

http://news.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/index.cfm/2014/3/28/Official-Notice-HSC-Languages-Beginners-and-Continuers-examinations-Listening-components

Board of Studies News via kwout

MLTA TeachMeet Languages 13 June 2014

26/3/2014

Present, Attend, Enjoy!
Are you a passionate languages educator looking for fresh and fun ways to learn? Come to TeachMeetLanguages, the 4th event held by the MLTA of NSW, where you’ll hear great ideas, meet new colleagues and maybe even get a little inspired.

Register for the TeachMeet and find out more!

TeachMeet Flyer download
File Size:	208 kb
File Type:	pdf

NEW LANGUAGES TEACHERS HALF DAY WORKSHOP

26/3/2014

New languages teachers workshop flyer
File Size:	106 kb
File Type:	pdf

MLTA of NSW - NEW LANGUAGES TEACHERS HALF DAY WORKSHOP
Network with other new languages teachers

Learn how to attain accreditation at Proficient Teacher
Understand what makes an effective languages teaching program

When:Saturday 3 May 2014 ,10 am – 1 pm
Where:Y Hotel Hyde Park ,Wentworth Ave. Sydney
Refreshments included. Subsidies available for regional members
Free!

Register for the workshop

Learning Languages - why do we do it?

26/3/2014

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/mar/19/language-learning-motivation-brain-teaching

Language learning: what motivates us? | Education | theguardian.com via kwout

This interesting article by Lauren Razavi in the Guardian, argues that the role of English as a global lingua franca means that native speakers of English have little reason to learn a second language from an ‘instrumental’point of view. To motivate native English speakers to learn a foreign language it is crucial to demonstrate the social and cultural benefits and factors which draw on ‘integrative’ purposes for language learning. As Schumann puts “to get to know, to be with, to interact with and perhaps become like the speakers of a target language” is a powerful driver for foreign language learning.

A laminator is a language teacher's best friend!

26/3/2014

"Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.”
- asserts a well-known Chinese proverb that is often attributed to Confucius.

The beauty of using games in the classroom is that while students are fully engaged in playing a game and having fun, important learning takes place without effort or stress.

While many teachers turn to games as a reward for hard work or as a well-deserved lesson break, at their best games can provide us with a model for highly active and engaged learning activities.

The good news is that many teaching points can be turned into games, or activities with a competitive and fun angle. Since games are an excellent way to motivate students and liven up your classroom.

Please share your knowledge and leave a comment about the games that you and your students enjoy!

Drama activities for Language teachers Presentation given by Lidia Faranda at
AFMLTA conference Sydney 2009

Drama activities for Language teachers from MLTA NSW

Language micro-gaming: fun and informal microblogging activities for language learning
by MARIA PERIFANOU, PhD, ICT researcher, Italian Lecturer at University of Athens, GR/ Pontydysgu, Wales, UK on Oct 06, 2009

Language micro-gaming: fun and informal microblogging activities for language learning- Maria A. Perifanou from MARIA PERIFANOU

Mfl Games by Jo Rhys-Jones, Mar 11, 2009, Based on the responses to a thread in the TES forum, lots of ideas contributed from UK language teachers to make learning effective and fun.

Mfl Games from Jo Rhys-Jones

Language Sensei shares a game for developing conversation skills

http://leesensei.edublogs.org/2014/02/17/developing-conversation-skills-the-follow-up-question-game/

Developing Conversation Skills: The “Follow Up Question” Game | Language Sensei via kwout

Games for Language learning

25/3/2014

What games have you tried out in your classroom?

Why did you choose to use a game?

How did your students respond?

Please share your ideas by commenting below.

New Languages Teachers Workshop, 24-25 March

24/3/2014

Created with Padlet

Support for new teachers of Languages in NSW

23/3/2014

The slideshow below contains links to a number of useful websites for Languages, to share with participants attending a workshop for new teachers of Languages in Sydney on 24-25 March.

Do you have any tips for good websites, resources or networks that you would like to share with a new teacher of Languages? Please add your suggestions in the Add Comment section below.

Useful accreditation links

19/3/2014