ESL Debates

The feedback we have received from the monthly free activity every month has been tremendous so we have started a new line of ESL products in our store -- One that I would have done anything for when I was teaching ESL in Japan years ago. Every month we will include the first portion of a debate in our newsletter, which includes a news story, reading comprehension exercise and some discussion questions.

• If students don't have an opinion, or don't know anything about the topic, they have a chance to learn.
• If students are worried they can't say what they mean, or can't express themselves with the same fluency as in their native language, a debate gives them the chance to rehearse and practice before they are put on the spot.
• If students are self-conscious or shy, jumping into their assumed role as defender of the Debate Statement, allows them to act in a different way, with the support of the group. Generally, they will leave their shyness behind.

• Find a newsworthy topic. Avoid religion, politics ect.
• Read the topic in class and go over vocabulary.
• Choose a debate statement, for example, All Television is Bad. Make the Debate Statement short, strong and clear.
• Build up to the debate in stages. Have an initial discussion with the whole class and note any vocabulary. Then divide into groups and allow students to discuss.
• Build up to the debate by having students write down 5 key points to support their point of view.
• Use discussion and written activities to build students up, researching their topic, learning vocabulary, until they have several pages of written work on their point of view.
• Let the students do the work! The teachers role is to support, suggest and supervise.

by Michael Hines

Professor Colin MacCabe of the University of Exter School of English says that to truly know a language, you must know something of the literature of a language.

Literature is intellectually stimulating because a book allows a reader to imagine worlds they are not familiar with. This is done through the use of descriptive language. In order to understand, the reader will create their vision of what the writer is saying. In this sense, the reader becomes a performer or an actor in a communicative event.

Using literature versus a communicative textbook changes the learning approach from learning how to say into learning how to mean (grammar vs. creative thinking). Conversation-based programs tend to focus on 'formulas' used in contextual situations so there is little allowance for independent thought and adaptation of language. On the other hand, literature-based programs focus on personal interpretation of the language so students begin to experiment with the language. This experimentation can be especially helpful to the students for use in different subjects such as science.

Per Carter and Long, the 3 main approaches to using Literature in a language classroom are:

1. Cultural model

- Based on the notion that literature is the expression of:

* Socio-cultural attitudes.
* Aspirations of individual societies.
* Mythic and universal values.

2. Language model

- Literature is taught for the promotion of:

* Vocabulary
* Structure
* Language manipulation

“Learn How To Make A Difference In The Lives Of Your Students And Inspire Them To Do Their Best For The Rest Of Their Lives With Teacher Tested Techniques You Can Use Immediately In Your Classroom" Learn More >>>

Little White Lies: Why Do We Tell Them?

A new study shows that we are more likely to lie to people we know than to total strangers. We tell little white lies to make ourselves look better.

In the study, people were to act out situations such as buying cars, gym memberships and other items. One person bought a car for $2,000 less or a gym membership for $200 less than a co-worker.
When one person compared how much they paid with how much another person paid, they thought they were a bad shopper. They lied to cover their story and look like a better shopper.

The study suggests we don’t like feeling another person is smarter, and we lie more easily when we realize we overpaid. The study showed that people were willing to lie to friends, even over an amount as small as $200. The study found that people were more likely to tell a fib about how much they saved while shopping.
People were more willing to lie to protect other people’s good impressions of them. People frequently lie when they pay too much for the same item as their friend bought.

The problem is this. Once you lie, you have to remember what that lie is and who you have told the lie to.

The chance that you will get caught lying is quite high. Every time you see the person you lied to, you have to remember what lie you told.

The professor conducting the study says that when you are busy recalling everything you have told a lie about, your energy goes down. She says, in the long run, it's not worth lying because your relationships suffer.

In the end, nobody wants to see themselves as a liar.


Vocabulary List

• Gym - A gymnasium
• Good Impressions - what you think about someone
• Lies - telling something not true
• Recalling - remembering
• Strangers - people you do not know
• Study - read to learn
• Threatened - in danger

• Little white lies - telling something almost true, a ‘Small lie.’
• Fib - lie
• Cover their story - invent a reason that the story is true
• In the long run - at the end of everything

Welcome to our new ESL JOBS section which has proved to be very popular with our subscribers. Below are jobs posted on May 10. For updates every day, please visit our website for daily updates.

• English Teachers -- IH Valladolid in Spain
  published on Sun, 28 May 2006 22:38:15 -0600
  Young learner, very young learner and adult classes. Opportunity to specialise or teach a 'mixture'. General and business English. Some examination preparation. Extensive courses.
• Teachers for Summer Camps and Full-time Job
  published on Sun, 28 May 2006 22:38:14 -0600
  We are running summer camps here in China and would like to have you work with us during the summer and then eventually during the following year if you would like to continue.
• Teaching English in Nepal
  published on Sun, 28 May 2006 22:38:14 -0600
  Placements range from one to five months. After the appropriate orientation, a volunteer is introduced to a community to teach school students the English language.
• English Teacher for Korea
  published on Sun, 28 May 2006 22:38:14 -0600
  Metro International Education Centre in Partnership with the Leading Korea's Junior's English Education Centre,is now hiring TESOL or ESL teachers for Korea.
• Helping with Children of Kindergarten Age -- Ecuador
  published on Sun, 28 May 2006 22:38:14 -0600
  Volunteer can be to give classes basic English, like numbers, songs, recreation, art.
• Teach in China
  published on Sun, 28 May 2006 22:38:14 -0600
  Ontario schools in China require certified Teachers (Grade 10 to 12) of English, ESL, Math, Physics, Chemistry.
• English Instructors -- Seoul English Village
  published on Sun, 28 May 2006 22:38:13 -0600
  Herald Media, Co., LTD., publisher of Korea's No.1 English daily newspaper ,The Korea Herald, is running continuous recruitment program for native English speaking foreign instructors for Seoul English Village and Ansan Hwa-jeong English Village.
• Seeking Canadian Teachers for Opportunities in China
  published on Sun, 28 May 2006 22:38:13 -0600
  Currently we are looking for various teachers to fulfill our teaching needs for the next Academic year, September 2006/June 2007. Below are some of the positions we are seeking to fill.
• Central European Teaching Program
  published on Sat, 27 May 2006 13:56:14 -0600
  The Central European Teaching Program places college graduates of all ages and backgrounds in public and parochial schools in Hungary. If applicant doesn't have an education background, a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate is required...
• A Learning Centre in West Kowloon, Hong Kong
  published on Sat, 27 May 2006 13:56:14 -0600
  Summer PG NET & FT NET. Two positions available.
• Head English Language Teacher -- Japan
  published on Sat, 27 May 2006 14:04:27 -0600
  Full-time, 40hrs/wk, 26-28 teaching hrs/wk. Teach small classes of students, pre-kindergarten to adult. Teacher responsibilities include lesson planning, after-class-notes, and student reviews.
• IH Dnipro -- Teachers of English (5)
  published on Sat, 27 May 2006 13:56:14 -0600
  IH-Dnipro has an opening for native and non-native speaking English teachers with basic qualifications. We are looking for someone with a desire to work in a creative environment with professional development and advancement opportunities. Bachelor's degree is not necessary.
• Teach English in Japan
  published on Sat, 27 May 2006 13:56:14 -0600
  Do you have a strong desire for adventure and challenge? Are you available to begin your next great adventure from August, 2006? Nova Group is Japan's leading and most dynamic foreign language school and is looking for YOU!
• Teaching Opportunities -- Russia
  published on Sat, 27 May 2006 13:56:13 -0600
  BKC-International House Moscow. One of the biggest language schools in Russia. The only authorized UCLES CELTA and DELTA Teacher Training Centre successfully operating for the last 10 years in Moscow. We are also a fully authorized IELTS test Centre.
• English Teachers Needed for Ministry of Education Program
  published on Sat, 27 May 2006 13:56:13 -0600
  Team teach with a local Taiwanese teacher, share methodologies and techniques, and enjoy the warmness and enthusiasm of Taiwanese students.
• Instructor / Assistant. Prof. of English Communication -- Japan
  published on Sat, 27 May 2006 13:56:13 -0600
  The successful candidate will have experience in teaching ESL/EFL and use of CALL.
• Director of Studies -- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  published on Sat, 27 May 2006 13:56:13 -0600
  Shane English Centre Vietnam (SECV) is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced EFL professional for the position of Director of Studies.

ESL Bingo

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