WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

YOU MUST CHOOSE ONE WORKSHOP FROM EACH SESSION before your registration will be complete.

Session 1: 8:30 am

 The Secret of the Schwa – Kate Rosen

In this workshop we’ll look at the most-used sound in the English language, the Schwa.  It is also at the root of why so many readers struggle with consonant blends. These strategies are helpful for proficient but inefficient readers of all ages because they facilitate greater fluency.

OR

Bloom’s Taxonomy: Tutoring & the Six (or Seven!) Levels of Learning – David Finchem

In this engaging and interactive presentation, participants will discover how Bloom’s Taxonomy can be applied to academic teaching/tutoring and to the process of assessing the depth of student learning. Attendees will then be given the opportunity to interact with and apply their newly acquired understanding of this influential educational theory in a partner/small group activity. Participants will leave the presentation with an increased understanding of Bloom’s Taxonomy, and also with an improved ability to assess the depth of student learning and an effective tool guide students to higher levels of comprehension and to improved application of knowledge.

Session 2: 10:00 am

Providing Practice for Pronunciation – Connie David, Michelle Raese, Thomas Germain

This presentation will offer practical ideas for incorporating pronunciation teaching into everyday learning. We will give demonstrations and hands-on opportunities for participants to try out fun smart phone applications they can use to help students practice language skills.

OR

Best Practices in Adult Education – Cara Messick

Teaching adults requires a different approach than teaching children.
Participants in this workshop will learn what those differences are (adult education theory), what the best practices of adult education are, and how best practices fit individual learner settings.

Session 3: 11:30 am

Motivating Learners - Cara Messick

Participants will gain a greater understanding of the motivations to learn a language and how to motivate learners. The training will evaluate what makes learners ready to learn and identify barriers to leaning. Participants will learn techniques to resolve barriers and increase motivation.

OR

"Hands-On" Activities in the ESL Classroom - Barbara Ulrich

This workshop will offer a combination of warmups, ice breakers, mid-lesson “get out of your seats”, cool downs, and other interactive lessons that can be incorporated with grammar, vocabulary, and other lessons. Some examples:  using journals (pre-writing and/or post lesson reflections); fly-by summaries/conversations;  using Legos to instill prepositions and adjectives; phrasal verb activities.