Archive for March, 2008

March 31st, 2008

Asia Pacific in the Spotlight

I myself have never had the dubious pleasure of teaching English in Asia. For those of you who have, or are, or will, here’s the latest lowdown on TEFL in the Asia Pacific region:
Vietnam: Teaching English: TOEIC Suitable to Vietnam?
Many, ahem, ‘experts’ say that TOEIC (Test of English International Communication) will not be suitable to […]

March 28th, 2008

Teaching English in Africa

After yesterday’s Euro news marathon, it’s high time I turned my attention to the TEFL scene in Africa:

South Africa: Speaking the Language of Hope by Teaching English

Through training the Themba women in English, Neilson Young Consulting (NYC) hopes to do more than teach them the basics of a new language. Rather, through building communication ability […]

March 27th, 2008

More European TEFL News than you can Stomach

Just in case you’re short of something to do today, take a look at this lot. Is it really possible that all these people around the world are having to deal with our language? It just doesn’t seem right, does it?
United Kingdom: The Struggle to Cope When Children Do Not Speak Any English

Surprising as it […]

March 26th, 2008

New Vocab Teaching Strategy in arkansas: Word Lists

Word List to Improve Readiness
Arkansas: In a move that can hardly be considered revolutionary, Northwest Arkansas teachers have created a targeted vocabulary list this year to help students with limited English skills score better on state mandated Benchmark exams. The list shows specific words that students must understand to meet the state’s learning objectives.
The vocabulary […]

March 25th, 2008

Korean President Takes the ELT Bull by the Horns

A couple of recent articles mentioning initiatives of President Lee Myung-bak. First up… well, don’t you just love it when politicians try to introduce competitiveness into education!Lee Urges Teachers to Compete With Each Other
President Lee Myung-bak on Thursday said students were engaging in fierce competition and so should teachers. “No schools have ever competed with […]