Episode 014: What is the last P in PARSNIP?

Show Notes: The Minimal PairTitle: What is the last P in PARSNIP?Episode no: 014Date: Recorded on 8/7/14Topics in Language LearningEFL vs. ESLWhat’s the difference?EFL – English as a Foreign Language is taught to a mostly homogenous group of ELLs in a non-English speaking countryESL – English as a Second Language is taught to any group of ELLs, primarily immigrants, in an English speaking country)ObjectivesEFLLess urgency/ irrelevant to daily routine – speakers don’t need English in their everyday livesTopical– literature, cinema, art, culture, conversation, etc. are all courses that could be offeredESLMore urgency/practical – speakers need to use English to survive, so they’re less concerned with technicalitiesHolistic – communication skills, reading, writing, ESP, “big picture”/long-term purposesOur experiences…Planning/preparation:EFLFocus on practice, especially speaking, pronunciation, and conversationExposure to authentic EnglishReasons/motivationESLHands on/suitable for immediate needsExplicit cultural instructionIntegrationSources:Oxford University Press, English Language Teaching Global Blog, article by Kate Bell – oupeltglobalblog.comTeaching ESL to Adults – www.teaching-esl-to-adults.com[19:00]MethodologyAudio learnersIdentifying auditory learnersGood memory for conversations, jokes, music, lyrics, etc.Enjoy discussion, debate, conversation, listening to music, etc.Sing/hum/whistle to themselvesPrefer oral presentations to written reportsMay read slowly and/or have trouble interpreting graphs, maps, charts, etc.Teaching TipsBeginningRead directions aloud (while projecting them on the board or providing a handout)Paraphrase/restate directions, especially difficult wordsAllow students to record lecturesWord association/verbal mappingReading aloud (alone or with someone)Books on tapeMnemonic devices, like PARSNIP (stay tuned!)IntermediateAssigning oral presentations to supplement written workIncorporating music and videos to supplement reading/lectureAllow students to record lecturesWord association/verbal mappingReading groups to share/supplement written journalsAdvancedAssigning oral presentations to supplement written work“What questions do you have?” (rather than “Do you have any questions?”)Ask them questions, tooEncourage active participation so students get a variety of input from people with different backgrounds, levels of fluency, accents, etc.Listening to/creating podcastsSource:The Study Gurus, “Study Advice for Auditory Learners,” article by Clare – www.thestudygurus.com[38:57]Culturally speaking…Taboo topicsPARSNIPPoliticsAlcoholReligionSexNarcotics–ismsWhat does the last P in PARSNIP stand for?Tips for teachers – countdown:5. Raising cultural awareness4. Know your audience3. Warm, but not hot (let them discuss something without it getting too heated)2. R-E-S-P-E-C-T1. Keep it neutralSource:LinkedIn Group, TESOL International Association, discussion started by Anes Abdelrahim Mohamed on July 4th