(Professional Development, Multiple Skills) Webinar Library
Revisiting Old EFL Classroom Practices with New Teacher Trainer Eyes
Armed with a teaching certificate from Ontario and five years fostering a dynamic and engaging learning atmosphere as a Native English Teacher (NET), I thought my teaching practices were beyond reproach. But after I took a position instructing Korean English Teachers on the finer points of Microteaching I realized that I had barely begun to take the first steps of my teaching journey. A long-time advocate of professional development and teacher reflection, I have spent the last two years carefully scrutinizing and redefining all of my classroom practices. I embarked on a quest to eliminate confusing or detrimental practices in an effort to bring my teaching more in line with EFL research findings, my general teaching philosophy and my specific professional goals for the EFL context. In this presentation geared towards primary and secondary language teachers I will briefly outline my teaching philosophy and goals before revisiting the inefficient practices that dominated my early lessons. My background and experience focuses on young learners in primary school, but the methodologies and activities can easily be adapted to secondary contexts. By the end of this hands-on presentation participants will not only have a better awareness of the flaws inherent in these common practices, but they will also leave with tried and tested alternatives to improve their lesson planning process and increase the overall engagement of their students. Particular focus will be given to microskills including questioning strategies, minimizing Teacher Talk, giving effective instructions, and choosing appropriate activities for EFL learners.
About Kristy Dolson
Originally of Ontario, Canada, Kristy moved to South Korea after attaining her Bachelor of Education. After acquiring five years of teaching experience and professional development, she is now a teacher trainer at the Jeollanamdo International Education Institute. Her main responsibility is instructing and inspiring Korean primary and secondary public school teachers. She focuses on Pronunciation Skills to improve her trainees’ comprehensibility, and Microteaching to improve their teaching skills and strategies. AT JIEI she also teaches workshops for other school personnel, middle and primary student camps, and is highly involved with the annual JLP Native English Teacher orientations and renewal meetings.
