Six Hundred Likes!

Just a quick thank you to everyone who has liked Melted Activities on Facebook. As of today there are over 600 likes on the Facebook page. To stay up to date on new posts and catch some things that don't make it to the blogs (comics, pictures of my classes, etc.) be sure to like mELTingIdeas on Facebook.

Help my class choose a winner!

My students just finished their dream flags and we are very excited about participating in the dream flag festival April 5th! We will be sending our flags to The Agnes Irwin School to be displayed at the National Constitution Center. In addition, we will be sending a quick video with an introduction to our school AND two students reading their poems!

To select the two poems I am going to Facebook! If you have a moment, and a Facebook account, please check out the dream flags my students have made and vote for your favorite.

The voting process is simple; you just "like" the poems that you enjoy the most. You can vote for as many poems as you want! You can view the album check out the post below (Click on Dream Flags to view the full album) or click here to go to the album in Facebook.

Post by Melted ELT Activities.

5 places to find CPD online

I have been seeing many teachers New Year's resolutions and many seem to be to learn new technology, try a new technique in class, or, basically, to keep growing. As a teacher it is really important to always be growing. We should strive to be a better teacher every day. Luckily, there are tons of places to find professional development: local conferences, at your school, and even online!


1. LinkedIn / Facebook / Twitter etc. That's right! Social media is an easy and informal way to keep developing as a teacher. You can join groups on Facebook and linked in that are devoted just to your subject, or all educators. With twitter you can follow certain hashtags or other teachers. Teachers share blog posts, links to awesome videos, and help one another out when they have questions. When I first started teaching a deaf student I had NO idea how to adjust my lessons. LinkedIn gave me some great responses and encouragement!

2. Webinars There are tons of webinars online! Some of them charge, but I've found a great number that don't. Keep an eye on social media to see when new ones come up. The British Council just did one on teaching Special Needs students, Cambridge recently did one on teaching higher level learners and American TESOL does one every Friday on technology to use in class! Most book publishers will hold webinars so you can search their sites too (e.g. MacmIllan). Attending these live (or watching the recording) is a great way to grow as a teacher. Sometimes completion of these webinars will even get you a certificate.

3. Classes Websites like Udemy, WizIQ, iversity and others make it easy to make yourself a better teacher without every leaving the room. There are the classes you'd normally think about (like online TEFL certificates) as well as ones that may not be as obvious. For example, learning to code, or taking better pictures could make you a better teacher. Keep an eye out for MOOCs too! These are classes which are typically held on a large scale. Many universities have started offering these for free. Harvard, Yale, and others  

4. Blogs That's right, I count reading blogs as professional development. I get great ideas from seeing what other teachers have done. I love being able to be inspired by other teachers and adapt their lessons or ideas to my own classes. Don't limit yourself to just your subject area and age level. I have gotten great ideas from math teachers' blogs and many activities designed for little children are easily adapted to adults. Just by seeing how other teachers do things (and learning from their mistakes) you will be a better teacher! I admit I don't really have bloggers that I follow regularly. I mainly check out whatever blogs look good when they are posted on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

5. Read I tell my students one of the best ways to improve their English is to read. I feel that one of the best ways to become a better teacher is also by reading. Read online journals, news articles, e-books. Whatever you can get your hands on that will give you more information and make you more creative or make you a better prepared teacher.

In the end that's it. The five different ways you can become a better teacher online.

What do you think? Did I leave anything out?

British Council's Blog for May

VOTING HAS CLOSED

The British Council's facebook page has shortlisted a recent Blog for their TeachingEnglish blog award for May. (Ignore the typo in their graphic; I assure you that I am nominated for a Blog award and not a Bog award)

"This activity gets students creating a cootie catcher which they then use as a fun way to practise vocabulary and grammar.
 
 Click on “like” if you think that Carissa should win this month’s Teaching English blogger award!"

If you like it too, give it a "like" here (or click on the picture).

If you haven't checked out the post yet you can find it http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2013/05/cootie-catcher-speaking-activity.html

VOTING HAS CLOSED

British Council's Blog for April

VOTING HAS NOW CLOSED THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT

The British Council's facebook page has shortlisted a recent Blog for their TeachingEnglish blog award for April. (Ignore the typo in their graphic, I assure you that I am nominated for a Blog award and not a Bog award)

 

"Carissa’s blog post – which includes a video of her – offers practical tips for creating and maintaining a happy, productive atmosphere in class.
Click on the ‘like’ option if you think Carissa should win this month’s TeachingEnglish blog award!"

If you like it too, give it a "like" here (or click on the picture).

If you haven't checked out the post yet you can find it http://eslcarissa.blogspot.mx/2013/04/10-classroom-management-techniques.html

VOTING HAS NOW CLOSED THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT

British Council's Blog for March

Voting is closed, thank you so much for your help and consideration!  

The British Council's facebook page has shortlisted a recent Blog for their TeachingEnglish blog award for March

The post isn't on this blog, but was a guest post over at eflpreschoolteachers

"In this blog post, Carissa shows us how we can use fiingerplays, TPR and songs with young learners
– Click on “Like” if you think it should be the winner of this month’s TeachingEnglish featured blog award!"

Voting is closed, thank you so much for your help and consideration!

British Council's Blog for January

The British Council's facebook page has shortlisted a recent Blog for their TeachingEnglish blog award for January.

"In this blog post, Carissa comes up with 6 great easy-to-follow tips for keeping your students involved in class.
Click on “Like” if you think it should be the winner of this month’s TeachingEnglish featured blog award!"If you like it too, give it a "like" here (or click on the picture).

If you haven't checked out the post yet you can find it http://eslcarissa.blogspot.mx/2013/01/6-easy-ways-to-keep-their-attention-by.html

VOTING IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

British Council's Blog for December

Voting is closed, thank you so much for your help and consideration!  

The British Council's facebook page has shortlisted a recent Blog for their TeachingEnglish blog award for December

"In this blog post, Carissa comes up with loads of suggestions for class activities that make vocabulary learning effective and fun.
Click on like if you think it should be the winner of this month’s TeachingEnglish featured blog award!"

If you haven't had a chance to check out this post yet, here it is: http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com.es/2012/12/14-different-vocabulary-methods-how-to.html

You can vote by clicking on the picture, or following the link found here

Voting is closed, thank you so much for your help and consideration!

British Council's Blog for November

 VOTING IS NOW CLOSED.

 The British Council's facebook page has shortlisted a recent Blog for their TeachingEnglish blog award for November.

 

"In this blog post – I am thinking of a word that rhymes with.... – Carissa Peck describes a class activity that:
– practises rhymes
– practises interrogative statements (making questions).
– practises basic vocabulary and defining words in English.
– helps students practise thinking and forming sentences in English."

If you like it too, give it a "like" here (or click on the picture).

If you haven't checked out the post yet you can find it http://eslcarissa.blogspot.mx/2012/11/i-am-thinking-of-word-that-rhymes-with.html

VOTING IS NOW CLOSED.  

Twitter 101

A lot of teachers are using Twitter in a lot of different ways. This is a good way for Twitter virgins to start using twitter with their class. In my opinion the EASIEST way (especially for technophobes) is to use it as an alternative to a class website.

You can use it to tweet homework assignments to keep students up to date.

Since I teach two different subjects I have two different hashtags. That means if I am making a tweet about an assignment for my high school students I include #Eng6ITESM. If the students have twitter they can easily keep track of the information I share.

If they don't have twitter, it is still pretty easy for them to go to my twitter feed (https://twitter.com/CarissaITESM) or their class hashtag  (e.g. #LengExtranITESM or #Eng6ITESM)  for all the relevant tweets.

It also tends to be a much faster way to contact students and get immediate feedback than using their e-mail.

What kind of things should you share?

If you take one more step forward (using dropbox), you can place documents like the class rules, syllabus, due dates, assignment weights etc. as part of your profile (or when you tweet assignments include a direct link to it).

I usually tweet homework and assignments reminders, test score averages, and any random relevant information that I care to share and they know that if it has their hashtag, it is about their class.


I also like to put links to pictures of students work, or videos that they have done for my class. Sharing it with my other students makes them feel a bit of pride and then other students can learn from what they did.

Once you get more comfortable you can link it to a facebook to allow students another way to follow the information.

British Council's Blog for October

VOTING IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

The British Council's facebook page has shortlisted a recent Blog for their TeachingEnglish blog award for October.

"Here’s another of the English language teaching blog posts that we’ve shortlisted for this month’s TeachingEnglish blog award: 
– Comma Commotion! a presentation Carissa Peck’s students made about the four main uses of commas http://eslcarissa.blogspot.mx/2012/10/comma-commotion.html
Click “like” if you think it should be the winner of this month’s TeachingEnglish blog award!"  

If you like it, give it a "like" here (or click on the picture).

If you haven't checked out the post yet you can find it http://eslcarissa.blogspot.mx/2012/10/comma-commotion.html

VOTING IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

Jobs for experienced teachers

In another post I point out a few good places to check out jobs if you are just getting into the TEFL. There are other places to look when you are already an "established" teacher and looking for jobs.

Now I am at a point in my life where I have experience teaching at multiple levels, a CELTA, and a Masters in a relevant field in addition to my Bachelors. This means that I am looking for other jobs than I did in the past.

I still think you should keep three things in mind when looking for a new job.

1. Is it legal? I always avoided anything that appears to be under the table. First, because I hate breaking the law (yes yes I am a goodie goodie) and second because I planned on spending most of my life living abroad; the last thing I needed was to be blacklisted from visiting some country because of visa violations. It is also safer to have a legal job. At this point in your career you are a professional and should not be sneaking around.

2. Is it verifiable? Google those people! Use your blind date stalking skills for good. Google e-mail addresses, names, the company, etc. Check out their LinkedIn profiles. Check blogs for past employees. Ask to speak to past/current employees. Again, you shouldn't need to take many chances here you aren't a risk so they should be a sure thing.

3. Is it appropriately compensating you? In Mexico I don't make as much as I would in San Diego (assuming I could get a job), but my apartment is much cheaper than what I would be paying in San Diego (as well as other expenses). So even though I am making less I am still able to save, and overall my pay is appropriate for my experience and location. There are other jobs here that pay half of what I make. Those may be great for other people, but at this point in my professional life they aren't for me anymore.


If you are looking into Korea I still recommend  EPIK(rural Korea and Seoul) or GEPIK (involving the doughnut shaped province that surrounds Seoul). Again you must be a "native English Speaker." You do get a pay raise depending on how your level of experience. Salary varies from 2 million won to 2.5 million won depending on your experience and qualifications (2,000-2,500 USD roughly) plus a one time settling fee (to buy pots, pans, etc). If you finish your contract you get a months salary as a bonus. You are given an apartment (which is paid for by the school) and there are often workshops. You work 8 hours a day 5 days a week, but you should only teach 22 hours a week. I believe now GEPIK requires a TEFL.

There's quite a few job search sites that you can find focused on different grades:

• Now, everyone will tell you to check out Dave's Cafe, as it is a pretty good site with jobs worldwide. It is very popular (which means lots of jobs!)  but it doesn't really regulate who posts jobs. Because of this, it is really important to thoroughly check the company.
• HigherEdJobs is available for people looking for jobs in higher education (which normally requires more experience).
• The Chronical of Higher Education has a job forum which also focuses on higher education.
• ESLJobs is a decent job forum as well.

Social Networking

• Mainly however I find these jobs through networking. My Masters program still e-mails me when jobs are available that would be suited to my major. 
• I am a big LinkedIn fan. Especially if you are active in relevant discussions people are more likely to think of you as a fellow teacher, rather than a stranger. 
• I know that facebook is traditionally a personal site but every year when my school hires new teachers I make a quick announcement on my facebook to let my fellow teachers know that they can apply. If they were to apply then they would have a plus: a teacher working here now who can talk to the director personally. What a leg up! In addition a lot of schools have facebook and will post job openings on their social networks before reaching out to recruiters or job sites. 
• Nowadays Twitter is a pretty easy place to check out jobs. You can keep it like facebook where you just follow schools' tweets and look for hints of jobs. An alternative is to look for relevant hashtags  there's also a twitjobsearch page worth checking out.

 Am I missing any? What programs do you find great for EFL teachers with more experience?

Practicas de Escritura (facebook and Greek myths)

One of my classes (taught in Spanish) was supposed to help us be better teachers in regards to writing. So this is Spanish as a Second Language class designed for high school students around the Greek myth of Summer. Most of it is pretty standard, but I am quite happy with the fake facebook page!


Essentially students read the myth make a bullet point timeline for the characters and then pick one and make a facebook page on their behalf.

Ignore the typos please (if you can read them).