Functional Language -TEFL Training Resource

Teaching Functional Language Skills

A resource from Languages International, Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand

http://www.languages.ac.nz/

As I was researching I came across this link and wanted to share it.  It is for TEFL Teachers. 

http://akoaotearoa.ac.nz/download/ng/file/group-4/n2464-esol-teaching-skills-taskbook-unit-4-i---teaching-functional-language.pdf

The resource focuses on the language of social situations and communicating effectively within them.  It concentrates on the 10 common functions of language listed below:-

• making a suggestion
• inviting
• giving advice
• requesting
• making apologies
• refusing
• agreeing
• regretting
• offering
• complaining

There are 4 tasks. I would recommend it fully for staff training sessions or individual study.  

Following the link through, I realised it must be part of a larger resource.  And indeed, there is a whole ESOL Teaching Skills Taskbook at:-

http://www.languages.ac.nz/table-of-contents-and-resources.html

A very professional package which I believe would be excellent for any teacher whatever stage they are at in their careers..

'Calypso' - A Beautiful Song Resource

'Calypso' by John Denver

A Tribute to Jacques Cousteau

 

A song, a song sheet and a comprehension activity.  Follow this link:TEFL Communicative Resources

TEFL Textbooks

Advice For Independent TEFL Learners

Studying English independently is a very cost effective way of learning.  However, you do need to be sure that you are covering what you should be especially if you are preparing for examinations. You need a good textbook and/or good applications to help you learn via your Mobile Phone or other device.

Many recently published textbooks today give you access to Internet resources via a code that you purchase with a textbook. It is therefore easy to supplement your English learning learning online. You can also check out web and blog pages such as this for other useful ideas. 

You need to be honest and realistic about your level – for advice on how to check out your level follow this link Examination and Assessment Resources

And then check out EFL Publishers at TEFL Applications and Resources

Good Luck
NB  If you need a tutor for a particular topic please approach me. I can arrange tuition online.

'Bright Dresses'

A Beautiful Poem. 

A British Council Resource

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/poems/bright-dresses

by Robert Seatter

With kind permission of the poet, previously published in Poetry as a Foreign Language, edited by Martin Bates, White Adder Press, 1999

An excellent resource to:-

• develop adjectives, description and metaphor
• develop functional language.

TEFL -Communicative Resource Page

Why do People Migrate?

A British Council TEFL Immigration Resource 

• to help build up empathy and understanding of  immigration issues 

• to develop vocabulary, reading and listening comprehension skills, sentence formation and knowledge of articles of grammar (adjectives)  

http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/freetime/video-zone/why-do-people-migrate

After I had published the blog about immigrants to New York; I found this resource. It develops an understanding of the issues of migration and associated vocabulary. It is broad in it's perspective and sensitively written. 

There is a vocabulary definition exercise, a video, a matching exercise matching individuals to different reasons for moving, true/false questions, an opportunity to order words in sentences and a gap fill exercise using adjectives.

It is probably a simpler resource so it could be tackled first to build up an understanding of the main issues. Some students may want to just tackle this resource on it's own.

Go to Communicative Resources Page

Billy Elliott - The Book, Film and Musical!

Billy Elliott

An Introduction 

A wonderful short story about a boy with a special gift for Ballet Dancing. A brilliant book written by Mervyn Burgess; expressing solidarity, friendships, relationships, gender and social class issues.  The story has also been made into a film and a West End show  

Billy Elliot is a short story and is classified as a 'Quick Read' in my local library in the UK. It is therefore suitable for Intermediate Levels of TEFL Students. It is an excellent story for students showing how one very unique and ordinary boy followed his dream and succeeded in what he wanted to do. The book has been made into a show which has been on the West End and Broadway and has been hugely successful. It has also been made into a film; the trailer can be seen on You Tube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoiVEyCosEE

Go to Communications Resource Page

British Museum Images

Quality Digital Images For TEFL Learners to Describe Museum Objects

http://www.britishmuseum.org/

To get images of museum objects from the British Museum follow the use digital image button with some of the objects (unfortunately not all yet) and register and order just follow the process through.  The British Museum will forward the digital image to your in box.  They allow teachers to use images for educational purposes.  You need to abide by the copyright terms. I am not sure about publishing on the web so I have not incorporated photographs.

You could laminate the images and then students can physically match simpler or more elaborate descriptions depending on their level.  I often stick things on the wall with blu tack and then students are active whilst they are investigating and matching the description to the object. This mingle type of activity generates a lot of discussion (in English of course)!

Special Objects and Belongings

Describing the Belongings Of Some Immigrants to NYC

This worksheet is a really good follow on activity from the museum posts I published earlier today. It carries on with the theme of descriptions. They are suitable for Upper Intermediate and Advanced learners and are based on a photo article from the New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/nyregion/27belongings.html

TEFL Communicative Resource Page

Online Tours at the British Museum

Practise TEFL Reading and Listening Skills. 

A good selection of tours  from different time periods and different geographical locations. Full of images and quality information from experts.

TEFL Communication Resources

Are you a budding archaeologist or historian?

An Online TEFL Tour at the British Museum

Find 5 objects from around the world in the British Museum on line collections and improve your English at the same time

.

Learn to ask and answer questions with yes/no or true/false or simple sentence answers if you are elementary to intermediate level; or describe the objects in more detail to your friends using your own words if you are an intermediate to advanced learner. 

With each exhibit there are a selection of exercises graded at different levels:

http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/galleries.aspx

TEFL Communication Resources

Welcome to the Online V&A Museum

Have You Got an Eye for Objects of Art?

20 Great Reasons to Visit the V&A Museum, London

http://www.vam.ac.uk/channel/things/art/20_great_reasons_to_visit_the_victoria_and_albert_museum/

For tips on describing objects of Art go to TEFL Communicative Resources

British Council Museum Activities

Do you enjoy Museum Visits?

A series of 2 lessons that use video, listening and reading resources to open up the topic of Museum Visits. From the Knowledge is Great Series. Learn English, British Council Website.

Practice gapfills, phrases and verb forms from Part 1 of the lesson at:

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great-video-clips/knowledge-great-part-1

Match questions and answers, complete sentences and practise synomyns at:

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great-video-clips/knowledge-great-part-2