1.- Trump talks with Putin
2.- Many people will be overweight in 2050
3.- Children and Social Media
1.- Trump talks with Putin
2.- Many people will be overweight in 2050
3.- Children and Social Media
Hi, blog! Today I want to share my experience with Language 2, focusing on the challenges I faced and the expectations I had when I started the course. Last year, my biggest weaknesses were listening and speaking, which, unfortunately, were also my main source of fear. I failed Language 2 last semester because of my problems with listening and speaking, and it was really discouraging. I almost decided to quit the course, but I knew I had to improve in these areas to keep moving forward.
During the summer, I had the chance to immerse myself more in the language and improve my listening and speaking skills. I managed to improve my listening in American English, which helped me feel more confident, but when I came back, I realized I hadn’t improved much in British English listening, which was crucial. My first grades were all 4s, which made me feel even more insecure. I felt like my efforts weren’t paying off, but I decided not to give up. I studied, but I didn’t get to the point of crying, just feeling nervous. Even though I still had some fears, I felt a little more prepared to face the exams.
I remember starting Language 2 with a mix of excitement and nervousness. When the exams came, I felt much more confident in speaking, although I still wasn’t completely comfortable. Thinking quickly made me skip words, but I was happy with the progress I had made. Honestly, I thought I was ready for Language 3. However, things don’t always go as expected. Even though I felt I had improved a lot, the course wasn’t exactly what I planned. There were some unexpected challenges, and the obstacles from the previous semester, like listening and phonetics, followed me into this one.
One of the new challenges I faced was the environment. I felt like I was starting over in some ways, but it was even harder because this course wasn’t made up of my generation of classmates, and they had already formed groups without me. This made me feel a bit out of place at first, because I had to adjust not only to the course content but also to new faces and classroom dynamics. I could say I still feel a bit introverted, but over time, I started to feel more comfortable in the environment. At first, I cried a lot, but what really helped was starting group work. I think it was only then that I began to interact more, which helped me stay focused on my learning goals.
As for my confidence, I have to admit it was very low at the beginning. Speaking in front of others, especially in a second language, was really intimidating. But as the semester went on, I started to speak more openly, louder, and clearer. I feel that at first, I spoke very slowly, but now I feel more confident in my ability to communicate. I still have a lot to learn, but I’m really proud of the progress I’ve made. I feel much more confident than before, and that’s a big achievement for me.
I won’t lie and say I don’t miss my friends. I think the whole university experience would be easier if I had Rocío and Monse with me, but they are still supporting me from afar, and I really appreciate that. Thank you, girls, for always being there for me. I also want to thank the 2024 generation for trying to include me. Even though it’s been a difficult journey, I’m grateful for every step I’ve taken.
Me all semester:
Hello, Blog! Today I want to share what I learned in my digital learning class. I’d like to focus on one topic that really caught my attention: artificial intelligence (AI) and how this new tool can be very valuable in improving teaching and learning, especially when it comes to foreign languages like English.
At first, I thought that using AI in the classroom was something far away, almost futuristic. But as I learned more about its applications, I realized how powerful it can be in helping teach foreign languages. As a future English teacher, I’ve learned how to use these technologies in the classroom in a more effective and engaging way.
One of the most interesting things we learned about was how to create interactive games. These games make learning fun and motivating, and they allow students to practice their language skills in a relaxed, playful environment. AI helps create these games in ways that make students more engaged, while improving their English. The best part is that students can learn and make mistakes in a safe environment, without the pressure of a traditional classroom.
Another tool I found fascinating was the use of chatbots in teaching English. These AI-powered bots give students the chance to practice speaking English in a constant and accessible way. The chatbots simulate real-life conversations, which helps students improve their fluency and confidence. This is particularly helpful for children, as it allows them to feel more comfortable making mistakes and trying new sentence structures without the fear of being judged. This kind of interaction creates a relaxed atmosphere, which helps their language development in a natural way.
One of the most useful aspects of AI is the immediate feedback that students can get. Thanks to AI, feedback is available 24/7, which means students can keep learning outside of school hours and resolve doubts or improve specific areas at any time. This instant feedback helps reinforce learning and keeps students motivated, as they can immediately see their progress and correct mistakes quickly.
In summary, this course showed me that AI is not just a helpful tool, but an essential part of transforming the teaching and learning process. It offers great benefits for both students, by making learning more accessible and personalized, and for teachers, who can use these technologies to optimize classroom work. I’m really excited about using these tools in my future teaching career!
Khalid: What are you up to?
Helen: Oh, just looking at what’s on offer at the sports centre.
Khalid: How come?
Helen: Well I promised myself that I was going to get fit. I want to do a sport. I just don’t know which one.
Khalid: Well, have you thought about if you like team sports or individual ones?
Helen: I don’t mind really.
Khalid: Do you like swimming or diving?
Helen: Neither, I can’t swim!
Khalid: What about martial arts, boxing or weightlifting?
Helen: Can you see me doing any of them?
Khalid: No, not really. Well what sports do you like watching then?
Helen: I really enjoyed the tennis when I went to
Wimbledon last summer.
Khalid: So maybe a racquet sport then?
Helen: Perfect! But which one?
+++
Khalid: I think tennis would be a good option.
Helen: I like to see it, but I don’t know if I’m good at playing it
Khalid: or maybe Racquetball
Helen: It would be a great challenge for me.
Khalid: okey, fine, when do we start?
Helen: tomorrow is a good option, because today I am so tired
Khalid: in the afternoon?
Helen: I will be ready!
Episode 127: An unwanted gift
Assistant: Happy New Year madam. How can I help you?
Helen: I’d like to return this jumper please.
Assistant: I see. Is there anything wrong with it?
Helen: Nothing except the colour, the shape and the size!
Assistant: And do you have the receipt?
Helen: No, you see it was a Christmas present.
Assistant: Well if you just get the receipt from whoever gave you the gift, then come back to us, we’ll be happy to give you a refund.
Helen: But my mum gave it to me.
Assistant: Can’t you just ask her for the receipt then?
Helen: Well that’s the problem. My mum gives me a dreadful jumper every Christmas and I don’t want to hurt her feelings.
Assistant: Well, without a receipt there’s not much I can do, sorry.
helen: maybe you could make an exception
assistant: no madam, if I change this jumper without the receipt my boss can kick me out.
helen: They don’t need to know that I don’t have a receipt. we can keep like a secret
assistant: sorry, but no, I won’t help with that.
Helen: Well… I had to try. I just don’t want to break my mum’s heart but… I understand… I have no choice…
Assistant: Uhg… Okay, listen to me. You will never say a thing about this. I a little exception won’t hurt anyone, right?
Helen: Certainly! Thank you, Mr.
Assistant: Shhh… Give me that. I’ll be right back. Don’t make any suspicious movement.
https://on.soundcloud.com/WdKhxQFvmQBY9JXc8
learnhip.com/boardgames/game.php?w=2f8ad0a8
1. Content Knowledge (CK):
2. Pedagogical Knowledge (PK):
3. Technological Knowledge (TK):
Hi bloggg!
In teaching English as a foreign language, developing listening and speaking skills is essential. Here are a series of activities designed for B2-level students, using the SAMR model to effectively integrate technology into learning the simple past tense.
1. Substitution (S): Listening to a Simple Past Song
Tool: YouTube
Activity: Students listen to a song that uses the simple past tense. They fill in the blanks on a printed lyrics sheet as they listen. This simple activity familiarizes them with the tense in a fun way.
2. Augmentation (A): Past Tense Verb Matching Game
Tool: Quizlet
Activity: Create a Quizlet set with past tense verbs and their base forms. Students can play matching games or flashcard quizzes to reinforce their understanding of the verbs. This enhances engagement and learning through gamification.
3. Modification (M): Create a Timeline of Events
Tool: Google Slides
Activity: Students work in pairs to create a timeline of a story they read or watched. They use Google Slides to add images and write sentences in the simple past to describe each event. This encourages collaboration and creativity.
4. Redefinition (R): Record a Short Story
Tool: Flipgrid
Activity: Students record themselves telling a short story in the simple past using Flipgrid. They can share their videos with the class and provide feedback on each other’s stories. This activity allows for authentic speaking practice and peer interaction.
Hi, blog! My name is Kristell Suazo, and today I’m excited to share my experience from the international workshop I attended on Monday, September 30. I took plenty of notes, so I hope you enjoy all the new information I have to share with you! Let’s dive in!
The two-week session on the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) has concluded, and I’ve gained valuable insights. As future teachers, we need to use AI carefully. While it can help us organize classes, create tests, and develop rubrics, we must also be aware of the risks, such as plagiarism, misinterpretation, and incorrect information due to “hallucinations.”
I particularly enjoyed collaborating with students from universities in cities like Santiago and Concepción. Working with people I didn’t know helped me overcome my shyness, which is important since I’ll need to be confident as a teacher.
In the second session, led by Ms. Gleason, we shared our experiences, and she provided useful advice for our journey. We discussed copyright and the legal aspects of using others’ materials. Although I still have a lot to learn about these rules, her insights helped me understand the importance of being aware of legal terms.
A significant part of the class focused on using ChatGPT and other AI tools to assess student work. We learned how to evaluate our own materials and that of our students, provided we understand the limitations of these tools. Presenting our group work to Ms. Gleason and receiving feedback was enriching, marking our first experience with machine-assisted evaluation.
By the end of the lesson, Ms. Gleason encouraged us to keep developing our AI skills, highlighting that adapting to this technology is essential for our future careers. The experience was positive overall, making me realize how teaching with technology can be easier. However, we must remain aware of legal restrictions and handle AI responsibly.
My main takeaway is the motivation to continue pursuing expertise in this area. The world is changing rapidly, and technology is now a key part of our lives. This mindset should stay with us throughout our professional journeys.
Finally, I encourage everyone to take advantage of the many free courses available from various institutions. The effort and time invested will pay off, as these skills will become powerful tools for our future careers. Embracing technology is crucial, and we should all strive to be well-prepared educators.
Paul | So here’s your gin and tonic Cheers! |
Alice | Cheers! Here’s to holidays. I’ve got a few days off next week. I can’t wait for a break from work. |
Paul | That’ll be nice. I wish I was as enthusiastic about half-term! |
Alice | Have you got any plans? |
Paul | Well, l’ve got a few activities planned for both Jake and Ellie but I have to work on Tuesday and Wednesday and I do want to spend some quality time with Jake. I think we need some father-son time alone. |
Alice | Well, I could help out there, if you like. |
Paul | How so? |
Alice | Well, maybe I could mend a few bridges with Ellie and we could have some girly fun at the same time. |
+
Paul | Thanks Alice! That sounds like a great idea. |
Alice | You’re welcome, Paul! I think it would be a fantastic time for you and Jake to become more closer |
Paul | I hope this works, I am excited |
Alice | Relax, I’ll talk to Ellie and I’ll tell you how it goes |