NEWSLETTER 9-16 April 2025
Webinar 1: American English Live: “ Boosting Student Motivation through Multiple Means of Expression in Universal Design for Learning”
Join American English (AE) for Educators on April 9th for the first session in AE Live Series 22!
Date: April 9, 2025 | Time: 8:00-9:00 am ET & 1:00-2:00 pm ET
Speakers: Melanie González
Session details:
In this session, "Boosting Student Motivation through Multiple Means of Expression in Universal Design for Learning," Melanie González will explore how this strategy can enhance motivation, foster engagement, and increase language learners’ willingness to communicate.
To join the free session, visit the American English for Educators Facebook page (facebook.com/AmericanEnglishforEducators).
*No registration is needed to join the free session on facebook page, but make sure you’ve registered for the series if you want to complete the attendance quiz and be eligible to receive a digital badge after watching the entire webinar.
Register here: https://openenglishcommunity.org/page/registration
Webinar 2: British Council: “Understanding your learners” – Webinar Event
This is a mini-event for English language teachers around the world brought to you by the British Council.
Date: April 11, 2025 | Time: Check the time for each session
In the first webinar of this series, two of TeachingEnglish training course tutors will explain exactly what understanding your learners involves and how it can help you plan and deliver more effective classes. In this event you will also discover how people learn best, exploring the science and psychology behind effective teaching and learning. Learn evidence-informed strategies and gain practical insights to create a more understanding, supportive, and effective classroom for your learners!
Session details:
Session 1: Understanding your learners: A practical introduction
Speakers: Sirin Soyoz and Melissa Thomson
Time and date:
12.00–13.00 (UK time) Friday 11 April 2025
Session information:
In this webinar our two current TeachingEnglish training courses tutors will give an interactive and practical introduction to our theme for April, May and June: Understanding your learners. With them you will learn how to develop your awareness of the diversity of your learners, how the learning environment and group dynamics can affect individuals, and more. Join the session to reflect on your own teaching practices and find out what professional development opportunities can help you grow in this area.
Session 2: Evidence-informed techniques for better learning
Speaker: André Hedlund
Time and date:
13.15–14.15 (UK time) Friday 11 April 2025
Session information:
Let's look into the how and why of learning so that we can help our learners do their best. This session attempts to bridge the gap between the classroom and what psychologists and cognitive linguists now know about the science of learning. What does their research say about what happens in the brain when we learn effectively? How can these insights impact the English classroom? This talk will show you four evidence-informed strategies you can incorporate into your English language lessons for better learning.
Session 3: Emotional safety and learning
Speaker: Georgia Papamichaelidou
Time and date:
14.30–15.30 (UK time) Friday 11 April 2025
Session information:
We often hear our learners ask us difficult questions like 'What if I fail?' or 'Are you proud of me?' These questions often mask deeper emotions of self-doubt, anxiety or a need for validation. Understanding that students of all ages learn best when they feel safe, supported and valued is the starting point for answering these complex questions. In this session, we will look at the impact and importance of emotional safety in learning. We will also see practical strategies that help learners feel supported and teachers be ready to answer those questions.
Register here:
https://events.zoom.us/ev/AtrEfb5O02vfncYlVXC-maJuS3kGsfR0_aA4I2HFX7UDebZlNuUc~AmdJHErMbMMeWruhbHFadHXt8Q3BD_tymFs0Ax9tUYMtZjGiu4Pk_dCnNQ%C2%A0
*You can also watch the event live on the British Council’s Facebook or YouTube page. No registration is necessary to watch on Facebook or YouTube.
Webinar 3: Trinity College: “The Inseparability of Reading and Pronunciation”
For the ones who missed the “The Inseparability of Reading and Pronunciation” webinar by Mike Budden, he will present it for Trinity College once again.
Date: Wednesday 16 April 2025 | Time: 06:00 PM (Turkey time)
Speakers: Mike Budden
Session details:
Reading and speaking are viewed by many as separate skills; however, this contradicts researchers' and neurological findings that the two directly linked—effective reading depends on having a reliable phonological repertoire. (Dehaene, 2009., Walter, 2008)
The perceived detachment of pronunciation from reading means that students’ phonological awareness is not fostered alongside their reading skills. When students encounter new words, they are forced to either guess the pronunciation and/or draw upon their L1 as a guide. With each repeat encounter, their pronunciation is reinforced, perhaps with L1 influence.
In this talk, we will explore these links and consider how we can better support our students to develop greater pronunciation awareness.
Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0XURBVJIRRqqaVT5qLBNdA#/
Bonus: Tips for Speaking Activities
As we know, developing speaking skills is crucial for our students—not only for building confidence but also for helping them use the language in real-life contexts. Here is a page including some posts with some speaking games and activities tips that you can use in your classes. Hope you find these ideas helpful and inspiring!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DHiNCepN91E/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/DHtAZ6jtCCT/?img_index=1