Compelling Conversations – Vietnam

Speaking Exercises for Vietnamese Learners of English   Become who you want to be – in English! Compelling Conversations – Vietnam: Speaking Exercises for Vietnamese Learners of English is the second edition of Compelling Conversations – Vietnam: Questions and Quotations for Advanced Vietnamese English Language Learners. Based on our original and highly successful English as a Second...

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The Language of Opportunity – Wabash profiles an English Teacher

Small American colleges often love their ambitious graduates. Wabash College, my alma mater and outstanding private liberal arts college in Indiana, certainly celebrates her favorite sons and treats them like stars. This fall’s Wabash Magazine advises graduates to “Look East, Young Man” as it celebrates the opening of the College’s new Asian Studies Center. Inside, the magazine editor...

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Culturally Sensitive Compelling Conversations Created for Vietnam!

How do you revise a conversation textbook designed for American immigrants and international students in the United States for high school English language learners in Vietnam? Carefully! Naturally, the new version of “Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics” will emphasize aspects of Vietnamese culture, avoid taboo subjects, and include local folk...

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Vietnam Embraces English Classes – and Looks for Communicative English Teachers

My recent trip to Vietnam to meet English teachers and lead a professional development seminar at the American-Pacific University, Vietnam lead to many wonderful moments and a few surprising conversations. Teaching English in developing countries always poses challenges, and Vietnam falls into that category. Lt me share a few selective details to provide a brief introduction to education...

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Creating More Student-Centered Conversation Materials

We need, it seems to me, to motivate English students more out of choice than duty – and tailor our ESL and EFL material as much as possible to our individual students. The web allows teachers to individualize instruction to an astonishing degree, but teachers must be prepare flexible, student-centered materials and lead by example. We set the standards, and students will follow their...

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