1. TESOL 2014
Portland Oregon
Lessons Learned

2. Opening Keynote – Dr. Surin Pitsuwan
 “Success in language learning depends
more on people and what goes on
inside.” Earl Stevic
 “The Ideal Classroom is one where
everyone is recognized and respected.”
Ann Fontanella
 What do English Language Learners
gain???
 The Power of the Lingua
Franca is The Power of
Transformation -
 Communicate,
Collaborate, Problem
Solve, Think Critically.
 A tool to construct a
better future.
 A common sense of
humanity

3. The TESOL Website – What’s New?
TESOL Resources now available
to anyone. No longer Member
Only.
What’s available - Activities,
Lesson Plans, Teaching Tips,
Assessments.
Learning Groups!!!!

5. Enhancing Multi-Level Students’
Learning with Technology
 Suggested Websites: Spellingcity.com, Manythings.com,
ESL-lab.com
 TIC TAC TOE GAME: Southseattle.edu

6. Ice Breakers
 I love Japanese Food
 I have a dog
 My mother is from Switzerland
Develop a power point with personal information. One
item is false. Have students guess.

7. Let’s Get Physical –
Idiom Use and Exercise
 We retain 10% of the info we learn in class.
 Effective activities for learning English – interactive games, plays, skits.
THE FOLLOWING ARE IDIOM ACTIVITIES:
WARM UP ACTIVITY: Have placards of Idioms – hold up idiom- student(s) say
the definition out loud or shows a picture of it. Teacher says Idiom or
reverse order.
POINT BASED CLASSROOM ACTIVITY:
 S1 writes the idiom on the board using it in a sentence.
 S2 Uses it, or changes it, or corrects it. (it=idiom)
 Both students get points.

8. Mixing Oil and Water – Teaching Chinese
and Saudi Students Together
 Getting students to take control of their learning is the
biggest problem teachers face.
 It is difficult for Saudi and Chinese students to answer a
question that is not directly stated. (Inferences)
 Working collaboratively and in a less structured
environment is difficult for both cultures. However, we
are preparing students for this experience in American
colleges.

9. A Holistic Approach to Teaching beginning
grammar to Arabic Students.
 Use stories that are familiar – Presenter used example of a
story about the “Day of the Dead” celebration in Hispanic
culture. Saudis aren’t familiar with that celebration.
 Don’t use lessons that are content dense. Presenter used
example of a very familiar Grammar book that has
“uncomprehendable” grammar rules. 
 Remember - Format and mechanics are very different in
English. Presenter suggested that student open up a gmail
account for learning English in US.
 Focus on Strengths of Saudis – See handout……
 Two hour classes a benefit for students and teacher. 

10. Teaching Reductions –
Whatcha gonna do?
 What are reductions? Reduced forms of speech
 Why are they problems? Non-Native Pronunciation,
Book based learning not aural (audio).
 What do they need? Practice listening to native
speakers.
 Start to teach early on - ALL SKILLS AND ALL THE TIME.
Goal is comprehension

11. Motivate Gain and Persist
 What helps???
 English Learning Plan – For Students who persist in learning
the ELP helps them take ownership of their learning.
 Language Goal –Use Rubrics
 Reading Plan – When used students persist
This seminar was based on a small flexible language school in
Alaska where the students come intermittently.
To find full documents and handouts – TESOL 2014 session #294635
Handouts also provided

12. Creating Fillable Forms in
MS Word
 Uses for fillable forms beyond administrative tasks:
 Note taking, Video – Listening and Response Activities,
Vocabulary, Listening Quiz, Guided Writing. Online
activities, quick quizzes and tests. Self-guided work.
 How to create fillable forms:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2bIE2TkW58
(video demo for MS 2011)
• Https://youtube.com/watch?v=1I6I6OYx8Jg
(video demo for MS 2010)
See handout for more detailed information

13. TED Talks and You Tube
* Find speaker topic.
* Search in You Tube.
• Keep Video. Download on MP3, et.al.
(See KeepVid.com (used to be a link on You Tube
but don’t see it anymore.)
* Create Worksheets – see handouts

14. Easy English Times Newspaper

15. Is that all? – TESOL Ontario 2015

16. Not Exactly – TESOL Celebrity Sighting
 Guess Who???