Session 9


Sunday 12:00 – 13:00


A9


Kevin Westbrook

A framework for blended learning - putting theory into practice.

Presentation available here

Handout 1 available here * Handout 2 available here * Handout 3 available here *

Presentation type:

General Presentation, 60 minutes

Audience type:

Mixed



Summary

This presentation gives the results of a project investigating how linguistic theory can be used to support a framework for implementing blended learning in an in-house, business environment. The result, a set of six principles and an evaluation check list, will be presented with a brief overview of the supporting theory and an example of how this can be implemented in a practical situation. This project was aimed at helping teachers who may or may not be experienced at providing face-to-face courses in this environment, but who are looking for guidance for providing a successful blended learning solution to their customers. The provision of the supporting theory should also give those concerned more confidence in promoting this kind of course with (potential) customers. The check list and principles with supporting information will be made available for download, along with the presentation.

Biodata

Kevin has been involved in EFL since 1997 on a full-time basis. Over the last seven years he has been particularly interested in the practical use of technology in EFL in general, and blended learning in particular. He has a regular column on blended learning in English Teaching Matters magazine and writes articles for Business Spotlight. He has just (successfully) completed a Masters in Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching and now proposes to spend more time with his family!



B9


Dennis Newson

How is Second Life being used for training and foreign language teaching?

Presentation type:

General Presentation, 60 minutes

Audience type:

Mixed



Summary

At BESIG Berlin I examined general attitudes to Second Life and described some of its educational possibilities. In this follow-on presentation I want to examine how Second Life is currently being used for training of various kinds, and by whom, and for the teaching of foreign languages, especially EFL.

Biodata

I studied History at Cambridge (1955-58) but switched to EFL in 1961 in my first post. I have taught at various levels in Ghana, Sierre Leone, Qatar, London; and at the Technical University, Trondheim, Norway and the University of Osnabrueck, Germany (25 years). After retirement, I spent two periods of 6 weeks in each case, as an advisor in Kosova and Sarajevo. Workshops and conferences have taken me to Brighton, London, Cologne,Turkey, Russia, Poland, Hungary and Berlin. I am moderator of several EFL e-lists and on the committee of the IATEFL YL SIG.



C9


Jennifer Verschoor [via videoconference]

Technology integration in Business classes

Presentation type:

General Presentation, 40 minutes

Audience type:

Mixed



Summary

New technologies have changed the landscape of information and knowledge. Learning in this scenario poses new questions for us teachers: How can I teach Business English more effectively with blogs, podcasts or wikis? Is it possible to evolve towards an enhanced curriculum or do we need to revolutionize our classroom with new practices? In this presentation you will learn ways to teach Business English in our networked world. We will reflect on the importance of guiding our students to harness technology for their learning purposes as well as enhancing the teachers' learning experience in the process. Our focus will be to find the pedagogies behind the tools rather than a technical introductions or 'howtos' (guidance to tools /tutorials and sites mentioned available in the handout). It is with clear purpose in mind that we will explore ways to use the tools to open up our Business classrooms to the world.

Biodata

Jennifer Verschoor is from Buenos Aires, Argentina and works as a Public Translator and University Professor. She holds a Bachelor in Educational Management from Universidad Catolica, Argentina. She is also the coordinator of Peer Coaching sponsored by Microsoft as well as Director and Founder of Teachnet, a teacher training company. She participates in many online international projects provided by IEARN and is interested in integrating e-tools in the classroom.



D9


Henry Emery

Language functions in aviation radiotelephony

Presentation type:

General Presentation, 60 minutes

Audience type:

Mixed

On behalf of:


Macmillan Education

Summary

I will begin with an overview of the strengthened International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) language proficiency requirements, including:
- Why the requirements were introduced
- Who is affected by them
- Their implementation
- Radio-telephony phraseology and plain English in aeronautical communication.
I will analyze the language functions required in radiotelephony, drawing on published literature and giving examples from authentic pilot - air traffic controller radio exchanges in non-routine and emergency situations. I will focus on receptive and productive skills, inviting the audience to explore the difficulties that pilots and controllers may face in identifying language functions and responding appropriately and effectively. As co-author of the Macmillan Education language course, 'Aviation English', I will:
- give an overview of the course, its components and its target audience
- present examples of language input through reading and listening material
- present activities for the practice of functions in the aviation English classroom.

Biodata

Henry Emery, author of Aviation English, is a teacher, teacher trainer and examiner of plain English for aeronautical communication. He is co-director of a language consultancy, assisting aviation organizations around the world with the implementation of the ICAO language proficiency requirements. Henry joined the ICAO PRICESG Linguistic Sub Group to work on the Training Aid 'Rated Speech Samples' and he works closely with the International Civil Aviation English Association (ICAEA). He lives with his wife in Plymouth, United Kingdom.



E9


Robert Dignen

The art of feedback

Presentation type:

General Presentation, 60 minutes

Audience type:

Mixed

On behalf of:


Cambridge University Press

Summary

This presentation centres around the proposition that the ELT industry's focus on language and business communication skills must shift. Those in business need support beyond the traditional mix of English language, training for presentations, meetings or negotiations and briefings on national culture. Instead professionals need to develop a set of generic management soft skills to use in English across their entire international working context. This presentation outlines a new soft skills syllabus illustrated within the context of 'English365', a professional English course book co-authored by Bob Dignen for Cambridge University Press. The presentation will then focus on one of these skills, such as 'the art of feedback' which is itself central to the methodology of 'English365'. The presentation will be useful for teachers looking to develop the feedback skills of their participants and their own abilities to provide feedback to participants on attitudinal and behavioural performance during classroom activities.

Biodata

Bob Dignen is a director of York Associates. He specialises in intercultural skills programmes and international team seminars which he delivers to clients in Germany, Switzerland and Sweden. He is accredited to use The International Profiler (an intercultural profiling tool) and is also an advanced practitioner of TMP (Team Management Profile - an international team profiling tool). As an author, his titles include '50 Ways to improve your international presentation skills' and the forthcoming '50 Ways to improve your intercultural skills' (Summertown Publishing). He is also co-author of 'Developing People Internationally', a multimedia international team training resource.





F9


Valentina Dodge

What's this blended business?

Presentation type:

General Presentation, 60 minutes

Audience type:

Mixed



Summary

New means of communicating and processing information allow us to support student learning in new ways and call for new ways of teaching. Many teachers are using Web 2.0 resources to successfully blend online learning into the EFL classrooms. What tools work best? Can forums develop debate and negotiation skills for our boardroom students? Should we set up a wiki as an efficient system for connecting a closed group of learners? Is the use of synchronous tools, like Skype, to role play phone calls or offer presentation practice a good way forward? This session looks at the relevance of web 2.0 resources in the Business English. Best practice will be discussed and tips offered to any teacher using blended learning. It discusses practical strategies which increase the opportunities for collaborative constructive learning - learning that motivates and doesn't burden the over-loaded over-worked Business English student.

Biodata

Valentina Dodge is a teacher, teacher trainer and online tutor. She works part-time at the University of Naples. She co-manages a small business consultancy specializing in tailor-made Business courses in the Salerno area and helps develop educational material. She has worked in the field of education for the past twenty years and as a consultant for local and European projects for the past five. She is actively involved in setting up, running and mentoring trans-national projects as well as VLE teacher training programmes involving learning technologies.



G9


Gabriella Hirthe

Teaching Financial Experts

Presentation type:

General Presentation, 60 minutes

Audience type:

Mixed

On behalf of:


ISD GmbH

Summary

Understanding the needs and expectations of financial experts in today's world demands new methodologies, flexible teaching practices and team member trainers. The challenge for the language trainer is not only to deliver quality, but also to identify the learners' language needs, manage the courses, and to get along as a team. It is also fundamental to understand the participants' needs in advance by carrying out tests and interviews, and provide a needs-based course using various tailored material. The trainer must be ready to manage the challenges of course delivery and client expectations, collaborate as a team member, show great flexibility and know-how, and at the same time fulfil the client's needs and requirements. Balancing the needs of the participant and client are key in satisfying the needs of this sector. This talk will give insights on:
- Financial experts expectations
- Creating needs-based material
- Managing the challenge.

Biodata

Gabriella Hirthe B. A., Trinity Dipl. TESOL, CLTC-C, is Head of the English Department at ISD GmbH in Stuttgart. She originally started her career in banking by working for CoreStates and Citi-Corp as a Relationship Analyst in leveraged-buyouts in the U.S. She works closely with ISD clients, include a major bank in Baden-Wuerttemberg.



H9


Gavin Dudeney

Net Advantage - Marketing 2.0 - The Internet & Your Organisation

Presentation available for download here

Presentation type:

General Presentation, 60 minutes

Audience type:

Mixed



Summary

With language courses increasingly being sold via the Net, traditional notions of how organisations are perceived have gone out of the window. Printed matter and webpage banners are no longer the most effective means of reaching and convincing your audience. Originally it was sufficient to build and optimise a website and wait for clients to come to you. Times have changed. The passive consumer has morphed into a social and sharing beast, relying less on advertising and more on the opinions of others. Via a myriad of technologies the savvy modern prosumer gleans a deeper and more balanced understanding of any product than publicity can achieve. And from these the ultimate decision is usually made. Find out good and bad points of various technologies and how to make them work for you as well as successful examples of implementation in the ELT world and recommendations on how to get started.

Biodata

Gavin Dudeney is author of 'The Internet & The Language Classroom' (CUP 2000/2007) and co-author of 'How to Teach English with Technology' (Longman 2007). He is Project Director for an online training and development consultancy, theconsultants-e, and in his spare time is Honorary Secretary of IATEFL and an amateur drummer. His current interest is in the use of virtual worlds for teacher training.




K9


Ian McMaster

So you want a new job, do you?

Presentation available for download here|

Presentation type:

General Presentation, 60 minutes

Audience type:

Mixed

On behalf of:


Business Spotlight, Spotlight Verlag

Summary

Many people who learn Business English will have to submit a job application in English at some point or take part in a job interview in English. On the basis of 25 years' experience of interviewing candidates, this presentation will give a personal view of the key success factors. It will also discuss some recent developments in the job application process. Participants will be encouraged to share their own views and experiences.

Biodata

Ian McMaster is editor-in-chief of the bi-monthly Business English magazine Business Spotlight'. The magazine is aimed at German speakers who need English at work and has licensed editions in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Ukraine. Ian is also currently joint coordinator of BESIG.



L9


Dr Tatyana Tolstova

Corpus as a Tool of Objective Researching and Teaching Business English

Presentation available here

Presentation type:

General Presentation, 40 minutes

Audience type:

Mixed



Summary

If you teach English and are not a native speaker, you have most likely found yourself in a situation when you were not sure about the choice of a word form or a word combination to make the utterance sound idiomatic. What is the most obvious thing to do? Consult a native speaker? Is there a more substantiated approach to the problem? One possible solution might be using a representative corpus of texts. This can provide one with reliable and quantitatively expressed data that is not dependent on the potentially erroneous intuition of a native speaker. Students can use the corpus and come to their own conclusions, independent of the teacher's judgements and prescriptions. These corpus-based studies can address different levels of language: vocabulary, morphology, syntax and genre-structure.

Biodata

Tatiana V. Tolstova has a PhD in Linguistics and is Head of the Department of Linguistics and Intercultural Communication, Volga Branch of International University in Moscow (Samara, Russia). She has taught Business English for 5 years)



M9


Byron Russell

Blended learning in practice - exploring the real issues

Presentation type:

Commercial, 40 minutes

Audience type:

Mixed

On behalf of:


Macmillan English Campus

Summary

There's an ever-increasing buzz around blended learning in ELT, but which institutions are using blended approaches in everyday teaching, and why? Exploring the online material available and using case studies from the Macmillan English Campus, the presentation aims to examine the real-life rationale and issues involved in setting up blended learning programmes. One of the major new developments of recent times, online services enable new course programmes and offer practical features like remotely-accessed student markbooks and online testing. They come with implicit promises that they will make the teacher's life easier, while leading to cost savings, a competitive edge for institutions and increased enrolment revenues. But to what extent are these promises fulfilled? Through case studies of institutions using the Macmillan English Campus, the presentation looks at the reasons for adopting blended learning and explores the real issues facing an institution thinking of following the blended learning route.

Biodata

Byron Russell is an ELT professional with experience as a teacher, teacher-trainer and educational consultant to mainstream ELT publishers. For the past eight years he has been involved with a range of learning programmes for electronic delivery. He has spoken at international conferences in Latin America, the US and Europe.