A better English speaker

I’ve been looking for some general tips about improving English speaking skill and how to communicate more easily and effectively. Check what I’ve got for you!

• Practise where you can, when you can. Any practice is good – whether you speak to someone who is a native English speaker or not.
• It's important to build your confidence. If possible, use simple English sentence structure that you know is correct, so that you can concentrate on getting your message across.
• Try to experiment with the English you know. Use words and phrases you know in new situations. Native English speakers are more likely to correct you if you use the wrong word than if you use the wrong grammar. Experimenting with vocabulary is a really good way of getting feedback.
• Try to respond to what people say to you. You can often get clues to what people think by looking at their body language. Respond to them in a natural way.
• Try NOT to translate into and from your own language. This takes too much time and will make you more hesitant.
• If you forget a word, do what native English speakers do all the time, and say things that 'fill' the conversation. This is better than keeping completely silent. Try using um, or er, if you forget the word.
• Don't speak too fast! It's important to use a natural rhythm when speaking English, but if you speak too fast it will be difficult for people to understand you.
• Try to relax when you speak – you'll find your mouth does most of the pronunciation work for you. When you speak English at normal speed, you'll discover that many of the pronunciation skills, such as linking between words, will happen automatically.
• Get over any fear you might have of making mistakes. You will make mistakes.
• Be patient with yourself. Learning any language can be frustrating, but frustration won't help you, so let it go.
• Grasp every opportunity you have to speak with people in English. Talk to friends who are also learning English. Go out together for coffee and only speak English to each other!
• Read short stories out loud and try to see, say and hear the words to reinforce your memory. 
• Record yourself and play it back later, how does it sound? 

Remember, when speaking English…

Try to become less hesitant and more confident.

Don't be shy to speak – the more you do it, the more confident you'll become.

Remember to be polite – use "please" and "thank you" if you ask someone to do something for you.

Movies Teachers Should Watch

I am a cinema lover. Recently, I’ve reflected a lot about the movies that have somehow influenced me as a teacher and that make me reflect about what it is like to be a good educator.  There are some movies that I consider the bases of teaching. In other words, as we are (or should be) always looking forward to being a better educator, there are several movies I believe all teachers should watch, regardless of their areas. Moreover, I believe that these movies have to be watched not only once, but as many times as necessary not to forget that, as educators, we play a very important role in our students’ lives, and thus, we must trust and believe them.

Below is a list of 23 movies from the oldest to the newest. You can click the names to watch the trailes after reading what the movie is about OR click here to see all of the trailers together.

Stand and Deliver (1988)

The story of Jaime Escalante, a high school teacher who successfully inspired his dropout prone students to learn calculus.

Lean on Me (1989)

The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school that he is determined to improve.

Dead Poet's Society (1989)

English professor John Keating inspires his students to a love of poetry and to seize the day.

Kindergarten Cop (1990)

A tough cop is given his most difficult assignment: masquerade as a a kindergarten teacher in order to find a drug dealer.

Corrina, Corrina (1994)

When Manny Singer's wife dies, his young daughter Molly becomes mute and withdrawn. To help cope with looking after Molly, he hires sassy housekeeper Corrina Washington, who coaxes Molly out of her shell and shows father and daughter a whole new way of life. Manny and Corrina's friendship delights Molly and enrages the other townspeople.

Dangerous Minds (1995) 

An ex-marine teacher struggles to connect with her students in an inner city schools.

Mr. Holland's Opus (1995)

A frustrated composer finds fulfillment as a high school music teacher.

Le plus beau métier du monde (1996)

Gerard Depardieu is a new teacher in a lower class school. He has a hard time with a special eighth grade class, and in his building.

Patch Adams (1998)

A medical student in the 70's that treated patients, illegally, using humor.

Music of the Heart (1999)

Story of a schoolteacher's struggle to teach violin to inner-city Harlem kids. 

Finding Forrester (2000)

An afro-american teen writing prodigy finds a mentor in a reclusive author.

Pay it Forward (2000)

A young boy attempts to make the world a better place after his teacher gives him that chance.

Remember the Titans (2000)

The true story of a newly appointed African-American coach and his high school team on their first season as a racially integrated unit.

School of Rock (2003)

A wannabe rock star in need of cash poses as a substitute teacher at a prep school, and tries to turn his class into a rock band.

Uptown Girls (2003)

A grown-up woman, who kept her childish instincts and behavior, start working as a nanny of a 8-year-old girl, who actually acts like an adult. But in the end everything turns to its right places.

Radio (2003)

The story of a high school coach and the developmentally challenged man whom he took under his wing.

Speak (2004)

After a blurred trauma over the summer, Melinda enters high school a selective mute. Struggling with school, friends, and family, she tells the dark tale of her experiences, and why she has chosen not to speak.

Raise Your Voice (2004)

A girl from a small town heads to the big city of Los Angeles to spend the summer at a performing arts high school.

School of Life (2005)

A new teacher squares off against his crusty competitor for a teacher of the year award.

Take the Lead (2006)

The real story of a dance teacher who believed in the talent of a group of problem kids.

Freedom Writers (2007)

A young teacher inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance, apply themselves, and pursue education beyond high school.

Front of the Class (2008)

It is the true story of Brad Cohen, who struggles with Tourette’s Syndrome, which causes him to make involuntary strange noises. Brad eventually becomes a well-respected teacher. The movie captivates the viewer, produces tears and laughter, and teaches important moral values.

Glee (2009)

A high-school Spanish teacher becomes the director of the school's Glee club, hoping to restore it to its former glory.

It’s interesting how all these movies have to do with teachers’ daily struggles to make this a better world. And while it may be true, students always have something to offer. It’s our role to find and recognize what they sometimes hide, explore it, and more important, make them aware that they are able to offer something good to the universe. Being a teacher is hard. However, it brings benefits that will last forever. Getting to know students' real needs, is all you need!

Source: The Internet Movie Database

The Good (ESL/EFL) Teacher

Speaks the target language to the students at all times, even outside the classroom. Builds up a friendly relationship in English with each student. If a native speaker, never practices Portuguese with students; makes other friends for that. (Occasionally might allow himself/herself to be in the role of learner trying to perform some Portuguese difficulties, only with the purpose of raising the student's self-esteem.)

Pretends not to understand very well the students' native language. Whenever the student derails into Portuguese, the teacher rephrases the ideas in English to bring them back on track.

Maintains good student participation and makes sure each student gets an equal share of participation and attention.

Teaches a good deal of culture along with the language.

Hardly ever translates: explains in simple English and illustrates with examples. Is creative in using synonymous forms or different language.

Is not self-centered, but learner-centered.

Does not introduce grammar topics. Creates the necessary grammar explanation to elucidate specific difficulties at the moment they occur.

Downplays the importance of the grammar knowledge offered, not demonstrating superiority.

When explaining grammar, leads the student to discover a rule by providing plenty of practical examples.

Does not leave the student without an answer.

Gears the lesson to the ability, level and interests of the student.

Is goal oriented, especially with beginners.

Uses imagination - creates original examples and varies questions to avoid monotony.

Gives the student time to answer before interrupting or prompting.

Uses imagination to understand what the student means.

When the student speaks, concentrates on both the meaning and on the linguistic forms at the same time.

Regards mistakes as insignificant accidents never overreacting but still correcting them. Makes positive corrections: Gives the right form and immediately forgets what the mistake was. Never imitates a student's mistake; reinforces the correct form. Seldom says, "No." Never laughs or makes a face at a mistake.

Is very patient, may correct the same mistake from the same student over 50 times, but always as if it were the first time. Demonstrates great empathy and maintains a positive attitude.

Whenever possible, replaces the concept of right/wrong in language by usual/unusual and acceptable/unacceptable.

Speaks at a normal rate. Does not over-enunciate.

Begins and ends each session with a quick review (5 - 10 minutes).

Makes sure that the student has the necessary materials (tapes, books, etc.) and knows how to use them.

Encourages (but never pushes) the student to do homework assignments regularly.

Begins and ends lessons punctually.

Shows interest in and concern for the student.

Motivates and challenges the student.

Welcomes the student enthusiastically and is friendly at all times.

Is very diplomatic, intelligent and acts as mediator when discussing politics, morality, religion, or any controversial subjects. Demonstrates empathy but avoids radical opinions; respects all kinds of views and never gets himself too involved or excited. No stereotypes.

Is versatile: talks about economics and politics acting as a businessman when teaching businessmen; talks about music, sex and drugs becoming a teenager when teaching teenagers; plays and laughs like a child when teaching children.

Would ideally be a psychologist interested in languages, with a friendly personality and native speaker of the students' target language.

Schütz, Ricardo. "The Good ESL Teacher." English Made in Brazil <http://www.sk.com.br/sk-gdins.html>. Online. 12 February 2004.