Special thanks to organizers of this event of english teachers of secondary schools from all over the state. To professors from Gadsden, Arizona: Ralph Williams, David Castro, José Sepúlveda and Carlos Arroyo who shared their strategies with Oaxaca's teachers. We hope to see you soon.
Reading
·
When reading texts, students underline unknown words.
· Explain for everybody each unknown word. Avoid translation, it's better
to act it out o give an example.
· Read the text quickly in order to cause some confusion, avoid intonation.
Students will be confused for a while but, this a warm-up to catch attention.
· Then read the text aloud, with clear entonation, paused.
· Next, students read the text in chorus.
· As an exercise, they look for synonims and antonyms.
· Elaborate " yes or no" questions. Ask questions aloud until
being sure that students understood every single question and answer.
Speaking
·
When a student asks for permission to go to the bathroom he/she has to say "I
have been learning…" and mention what's he/she is learning in the
class, if he/she can't, don't allow him/her to go and he/she has to try again
within three minutes.
·Assign homework that could be read aloud to parents.
· Introduce songs in class, it's fun and improves fluency.
· Students must make oral presentations in front of group. Students could
describe themselves, take photos, present artists, etc.
· When students speak, repeat aloud what they say as reinforcement, thus,
everybody listens to and could correct mistakes.
· Write a short text. Example: I am going to the beach. I need ___________
and _____________. Students complete it and read it aloud.
· Tongue twisters are good when improving speaking abilities.
· Record students when they explain sayings.
· Include sayings regularly, students could add them to their speaking
repertoire.
Listening
·
Teach the phonetic alphabet, it's truly important to compare words with similar
sound sonido similar. If you teach the phonetic alphabet, your students will
pronounce correctly words of the diccionary .
· Ask your students to watch television in english language.
· Ask your students to listen to the radio in english language.
· Dictate sentences which include grammar mistakes and ask students to
correct them.
Writing
·When
students write a word incorrectly, they do not erase it; instead they cross
it and write the word correctly next to it. Thus, they notice the mistake and
maybe they will not commit it again.
· Write sentences whic include grammar mistakes, students look for them
and correct them.
· Ask students to bring newspapers to class and cut or assemble phrases.
Vocabulary
·
Provide your students with lists of words or phrases before introducing new
topics.
· Play "Stop".
· Make sure that your students use athesaurus and a dictionary.
· Assign 3 or 4 quadrants as a homework; Divide a table into 4 spaces,
add an ovale in the middle. The word to be learned is written in the ovale.
In the 4 spaces a definition, a picture, a synonim or antonym , and a 5up sentences
should be added (including the word to be learned).
· Write lists of vocabulary and students categorize them.
Positive Environment
·
Shake hands when students come in the classroom.
· Put a finger on your mouth and raise the hand as a attention catcher
when starting the class; it creates a habit if you do it every class.
· Do not allow negative attitude in the class. If a student has a bad
attitude, give him/her few extra work.
· Be consistent with the regulations in class.
· When correcting mistakes, do it once for the whole group.
· Say hello clear and sound, sell energy at the beginning of the class.
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