Why Not Create a Safer, “Global” Version of Compelling Conversations? (Part I)
“Only the educated are free.” —Epictetus (55-135), Greek philosopher Over the years, many English teachers have asked if I plan a “global” version of Compelling Conversations so it can be used everywhere, including closed countries like China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. What does this mean? As in most … The post Why Not Create a Safer, “Global”...
Read MoreReview: What Should Every College ESL Student Know?
“The most important thing we learn at school is the fact that the most important things can’t be learned at school.” —Haruki Murakami (1949–), Japanese author What should every ESL student know? Beats me. “One size fits all” philosophies often seem a bit strange to me. Can anybody really answer this… The post Review: What Should Every College ESL...
Read MoreTeaching Matters: Observing and Leading Class Discussions
“The true spirit of conversation consists in building on another man’s observation, not overturning it.” —Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton (1803–1873), British novelist/politician What do you do while students are having conversations or talking in pairs? Do you have a “formula” for taking notes? Do you focu… The post Teaching Matters: Observing and...
Read MoreWorksheet: Imperatives vs Polite Requests in the Workplace
“You cannot be really first-rate at your work if your work is all you are.” —Anna Quindlen (1953-), American Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist Style matters – especially when we talk with our co-workers, consumers, patients, and supervisors. English language learners, immigrants, a… The post Worksheet: Imperatives vs Polite Requests in the...
Read MoreTeaching Matters: Avoiding Good Mistakes in Using Infographics
Correlation is not causation but it sure is a hint – Edward Tufte (1942-), American Statistician and Professor We live in an age of big data, powerful algorithms and infographics. Significant decisions are being made daily based on data input, and adults – including our students – have to analyze an… The post Teaching Matters: Avoiding Good Mistakes in Using Infographics...
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