Fernanda Amodeo

Fernanda Amodeo

I'm a P.E. teacher in a Secondary School. I have been teaching Clil for three years, and I'm very interested in improving my knowledge, both in English and contents related to my subject and healthy

Location Italy, Monza

Achievements

Activity

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Good Luck!

    Bye to everyone, good luck and have a great life. Hope to meet some of you again here, on Futurelearn, and thanks again for this Amazing course!

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    End of course video and glossary

    Thanks so much to Monica, Marie Therese and all the organisation and mentors. It has been a great pleasure to attend this course, meet other partecipants, and learn news things about the world of teaching English. I wish to you all, outstanding experience and luck in your job. Thanks again!

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Suggestions for things you can do next

    I am impressed with 'do some voluntary teaching'. I have never tought about it and it's a great idea. All the suggestions they gave are interesting and useful, above all focus on what we need, just not to get overwhelmed.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    So what’s next for you?

    As I said in other comment, I am going to continue my professional development in English Language. I teach CLIL and I want to do it in a great way, offering learners all knowledge I have gain, help them to become enthusiastic about the Language. I'm still thinking to attend the CELTA course, but it depends on the level of English they require and if I take...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What's in a course?

    It's a sort of selection to check the level of the applicants. If they are not enough prepared to attend a specific course, might be they have to attend another more suitable. Another thing that centres look for in them, could be the motivation and the aim, why and when applicants are going to start teaching.

  • Fernanda Amodeo replied to Bruna Pezzi
    Tip, tips and more tips

    Completely agree with you!

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What employers say

    I've been teaching PE for 30th years, and I can say to have a great experience. I have had amazing feedback from my students, and even from ex-students with whom I'm still in touch. Probably my subject is one of the most enjoyable in school, and they like my lessons, but I would say that they all have loved me, my way to behave with them, respecting their...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Learners talking about what makes a great teacher

    I agree with most of the comment here, all of the features listed have an importance in a good teacher, even if with different percentage. Speaking about humor, I mean a way to be able to defuse some situation, not be sensitive when learners may be provocative and try to brave you. Working with teens requires a good balance, patient and sense of humor, not to...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What makes an effective teacher?

    I have few teachers in my memory that could inspire me in my profession. One I still remember with great pleasure, was a strong woman, with a good quality in teaching and available to help learners, with a special way to involve them. Rarely she smiled at you, but she had a sense of humor, combined with a strict behaviour, that make you love and respect her. ...

  • Fernanda Amodeo replied to Fernanda Amodeo
    Last chance to ask your questions

    Thanks

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Last chance to ask your questions

    Can I get a job after doing only a four-week CELTA training course?Or it could be recognise in school, as a good level for teaching English or CLIL? In Italy for teaching CLIL they require a CAE certification, that it is really challenging, and that is my aim. I am not sure to achieve it.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Teaching practice or no teaching practice?

    Tutor support and feedback helps to develop confidence: i am a teacher and I know how is important to give a feedback to obtain confidence and raise motivation.
    Learn how to step back and let students take control: this is another important step, our aim is to involve all the students, so have great attention for who is slow in Learning.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What training can you do?

    I'd like to attend the CELTA course and the certification....

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Welcome to Week 6

    I would like to experience teaching English abroad, but it's impossible for me,first of all I'm not an English teacher , and then I'm not so Young to decide to leave. Anyway, I enjoy teaching CLIL and going on studying English, improving my knowledge, trying to take an high level of certification, this would be for me the most great achievement. I want to give...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What’s on next week?

    They are speaking about teaching, how can be an intense experience because of the learners achievement. It's really rewarding see that students improve and improve their English skills, and Teachers have to do a great and responsible work.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Video review of Week 5

    Thanks, always great and funny!

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Get to know some digital tools

    When I was learner in school, I had never used digital tools. Being still a learner now, in the world of English, I have used them in different situation. I like this methodology and I believe that it's a great opportunity for Young people, to be involved in their Learning process. I have never seen before Write and Improve, I find it Amazing, writing skill is...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What do you think of these?

    Very useful website, I like News Report BBC, is great for listening and good pronunciation. I like also Voki.com to create speaking, it seems exciting. I'll try them, thanks.

  • Fernanda Amodeo replied to Fernanda Amodeo
    Things to think about when you're preparing and selecting resources

    Yes thanks, I know scholar.google, there are lots of interesting materials. You can also use important suggestion in the lesson plan in britishcouncil, searching about topic, and then they address you to other links....

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Things to think about when you're preparing and selecting resources

    I agree with them that preparing resources on your own, requires lot of time. For my CLIL lessons I am used to create Power Point, collecting reading text, find video around the topic, and many other materials. Fortunately, I have found many suggestions on the web, but in any case I have to create my own lesson, personalising and adapting materials to...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Just you, your learners and the classroom

    This is my idea for a lesson in classroom.

    https://www.speakpipe.com/voice-recorder/msg/5bzrp11k8gfgphnx

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    A handbag?

    It is nice to elicit learners curiosity, formulating questions, thinking and guessing words of what could be inside the bag, using both vocabulary and grammar. Then learners can do the same in pairs, with their own items.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Time for you to choose

    My class is an intermediate/ upper intermediate level, the last of a secondary school, so eighteen years learners. The topic is about diversity; we have analised many aspects of the topic and, speaking about stereotypes, I have used the song in the link below. They have to search for adjectives that underline the stereotype, recognise the context, the...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Resources, resources and more resources

    The idea to use only a coursebook sounds boring for me. The book should be a basic resource for learners, as a support to consult grammar rules. Authentic materials involve many topics, and learners can give their own contribution in searching them.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Introduction to Week 5

    I can't wait to discover all the resources you will propose us. I always say, that different methodology and approaches, help to elicit learners' skills, and make Learning enjoyable.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Video review of Week 4

    You two are great! Thanks for your enthusiasm, really contagious!

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Glossary

    Great explanation. Thanks

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What do teachers need to know about vocabulary?

    When you learn a new word means you understand the meaning and use it in a right context. In english many words are specific collocation and we can't use in other version. Often that meaning for foreing people has a different importance, and sometimes this imply a bad impression. Vocabulary is really important as grammar, if not more.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Challenges learners have with grammar

    The most challenges are grammar and pronunciation, the different sounds for different letters and words. I'm lucky because I'm italian and many words are similar in the root because of latin. I know that it could be very challenging for other people that have in their own Language other sounds. I believe that practise and study is the right way to be...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What’s wrong with these sentences?

    It was easy to find mistakes, I am not sure to know why learners make some mistakes, probably they study grammar without using it in context, they don't speak and don't train the Language. I have improved my Language knowledge only immerging myself in it, and taking care of all the skills, even if I still have a long path to do.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What do teachers need to know about grammar? Verb forms

    I think that jumbled word activity is a really interesting way to learn the structure of a sentence, is a good practice.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What do teachers need to know about grammar? Parts of speech

    Thanks, always useful.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What language system are they teaching?

    The first teacher teaches vocabulary, the second grammar e the last one pronunciation. The stage of the lesson seems the central part, the main one.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What do people mean when they talk about ‘language’?

    I think I have a good command of English language, I have been studying advanced grammar to improve my knowledge, try to speak any time I can, read only english books, watch english program, pronunciation is good, and my aim is to be great in English, using it accurately. :)

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Introduction to Week 4

    Language is the way to communicate, and is supported by other languages, like body Language, intonation. People need to learn vocabulary to communicate.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What’s happening in this lesson?

    She is going to work about grammar, structure phrase, and comprehension.
    She gives clear instructions on what learners have to do.

  • Fernanda Amodeo replied to Fernanda Amodeo
    Video review of Week 3

    Thanks! you too

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Video review of Week 3

    I hope to stay in touch with all of you in August, because I'll be on holiday and the internet connection will be bad in that place. Anyway, I have upgraded the course, also because it's so interesting that I want to keep it save, and just in case, I will catch it up then. Thanks for now! Enjoy the path you all!

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Glossary

    Thank you for the interesting materials.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Getting learners speaking: coursebooks

    I would introduce the topic with a video, better than a text, just to encourage them to use also the right intonation, acting how if they were in a real situation. Then taking time to think about what to say, writing down it. Instead of changing role, I would have changed the parents in the Group, for instance, so they will hear from Others, maybe catching new...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Helping learners with speaking and writing

    Create speaking environment, in pairs, in small group, around a topic, but whit some clues. For example, during my CLIL lesson, in speaking environment, I show them some slide with bubbles, where I write type of questions, sentences for suggestions, how to encourage, or clarify...it depends on the topic they have to speak about. So they can start from the...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Challenges for learners with speaking

    The challenges for learnears in speaking are basically the lack of vocabulary and practice in context. They are able to perform in grammar drilling, but they need to learn how to speak in different situations.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Which song would you use?

    I am not sure if the following song is adapted for beginners. It's sung fast but the words are often repeated and the grammar structure it seems affordable, a part from some contracted forms.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMLelXYnhFc
    I have used songs reffering to the content I have traited, analysing grammar: verb tenses, adjectives and idioms.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Challenges learners have with listening

    I'm not an English teacher and I can't say exactly what learners find more diffucult. For my experience I say that the best way to overcome listening challenging, is training, like in sport. We have to train each skill, so listen to different TV programmes, songs, movie, speak with people from foreing countries, because the different accents make you able to...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What do we do when we listen and read?

    It's a funny quiz!

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Receptive skills – reading and listening

    Basically the difference between reading a novel or a recipe, is the concentration on the details or on the whole meaning of what we read. In the novel I can imagine the situation in my mind, the environment represented, and my brain uses information in a creative way. Reading a recipe, means that I have to transform the information in a good and tasted...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Welcome to Week 3

    I agree with my colleagues, communication skills imply many ways, speaking, reading, drawing, writing, listening, and body Language. The tools for increasing these skills, have to be cover a wide range of opportunities, also with technology.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Video review of Week 2

    Thanks for the review, you are really nice.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Glossary

    It's great and useful the glossary you have added, thanks!

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Getting learners talking by using questions

    Asking questions is a way to involve all the learners, calling by name, and breaking the ice. It's a warming up to get learners to say what they know or guess about the topic, to check that learners understand some vocabulary and grammar.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Giving instructions

    C is definitely the best instruction, clear, and asking at the end what they have to do it's important, students always ask for repeating the instruction, it seems that at the first time they are never concentrated on what we say. B is too informal, A has a mistake, D should be right but, how teacher said, asking for comprehension might be embarrassing.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What does classroom management include?

    For my experience teaching teens, I imagine that teach to adults, should be easier about managing, because they are more responsible. The large class is an issue that requires absolutely, planning each lesson. We have to organise activity mantaining high enthusiasm, constant learners involvement, Group work with monitoring. It is really challenging, but a good...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What goes into the front page of a lesson plan?

    I agree with other collegues about timining. We can plan in a perfect way, but sometime, depending on the learners involvement, we spend time over, but I think it won't be a issue if the learners partecipate. I usually use slide and a Power point presentation, to avoid writing on the board, and with technology is definitely faster teaching.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Good lessons start with good lesson plans

    I think, as my collegue below, that feedback is important, and also try to plan, when is possible, talking time for students, and specific objectives.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Which activity?

    They are all enjoyable and useful. I sometime use designing a class survey or questionnaire about my subject, healty life style, or physical activity. Students then have to go around the classes asking information and reporting results.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What kind of activities do you find motivating?

    It depends on the activity. I like work more in pairs than in group, because I think in the last one, there will be always some bystander learners. In pairs there are opportunities to share and compare ideas, supporting one each other, eliciting thinking skills. Additionally, working alone for specific activity, like review of Language, words, and other...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Try out something new

    I have found useful the video to introduce Language, like idioms, that are very difficult to memorize for learners in general, of all age. I use videos to indroduce a topic, sometime in which they have to guess the topic, and discuss among them about it.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Now you do it!
  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Every picture tells a story

    Someone who was flying on vacation, she was happy and astonished by the view, and took a picture. Probably, before she took a picture, she had had a small chat with friend, or a meal. Now she is on her final destination, maybe on the beach, in a tropical environment, enjoying her free time.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Welcome to Week 2

    It sounds really great, the content is interesting and I can't wait to go through the course. Thanks

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What's coming up next week?

    Amal is eliciting learners to think and speack each other, at the beginning of the lesson, using pictures.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What's next?

    Thanks for the first week course!

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Motivation, motivation, motivation

    Elicit Language and ideas from students: I consider brainstorming a great methods to involve learners and to introduce a topic. It gives you the idea of what they know about the topic; it forces them to think of the topic and listen to the Others ideas and opinion; giving someone responsibility to write down what it has been told. Using students' names allows...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Motivating learners

    I don't think of my school experience because nowadays is completely different the teaching methodology. I like to think about my students and this new generation that needs innovative methods to be involved. Basically I firmly believe that Teachers have to adapt to learners, trying to change their methodology, using technology, changing classromm...

  • Fernanda Amodeo replied to Fernanda Amodeo
    Why do people learn English?

    Hi Francisco, thanks for the message. Teaching my subject in English means CLIL, content language integrated learning. Do you use it in your country? Is a type of methodology approach to content, topic, with a subject teacher, not language teacher, and you need to be prepared and take certification. In my school other teachers have this certificate, maths and...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Different types of motivation

    I have a strong intrinsic motivation in studying English, improving my skills and expertises in this area. Additionally, to travel around the world and communicate with people, knowing their culture. I have also extrinsic motivation, because I want to improve my career prospects.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Why do people learn English?

    I teach my subject (PE) in English in a high school. My goal is to involved learners dealing with content related to my subject and managing the topic in English.
    Their goal is to improve their English knowledge, because of the Language they have to study. Additionally they know that practising in different areas, can help them becoming more confident with it.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Helping learners to learn
  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    How easy is it to learn a language?

    Szia, Fernanda vagyok. Örvendek!
    It's difficult learn languages far from our first Language. It depends on the country, alphabet, sounds; some of them are really different and unpronounceable.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    I've never thought of teaching in ...

    I've never thought of teaching in Argentina before, but I think it could be enjoyable because of the oustanding nature, and one of my dream, is doing trekking to Tierra del Fuego.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Teaching around the world

    Place Type of learner
    Marie Therese: London Selective private school for adults, business English, and tourism, language for traveling. When she moved in education college, language for immigrant
    Monica: Munich Private school, English
    Katherine: Hong Kong English
    Tarsila: Brazil English
    Chris: Seville English . Adults, then young children and pre-teens...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Why become an English Language Teacher?

    I feel close to the number 2 and 4 reasons explained by the Teachers. I also know exactly that I love teaching my subject, physical education, but I needed something more challenging in my work, and I decided to start studying English again.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Who are you and what do you want to know?

    I am a PE teacher and I have been teaching CLIL for three years. I enjoy a lot teaching my subject in English and I want to help students' motivation and improve their knowledge in the Language. Above all learning it in different situation and topic. I won't be at the level of the English Teachers here, but I thank in advance to all of them who will suggest...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Good to meet you!

    Hello, I am Fernanda and I am a PE teacher in a high school in Italy.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Further reading

    Thanks a lot.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    What now?

    Thank you for your efforts in creating this course, you have inspired us for the future, also with a good example how a team should work together.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Infographic

    I cannot see the infographic example on my PC, it's a pity....

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Collaborative approaches to CPD

    I think that collaborative approaches, is a really good way to improve our teaching methods. Only sharing with fellows, we can build new ideas and tools to achieve the goals with effectiveness. PE lessons have to change, from my point of view, I see too many learners less motivated and exercising the same games and activities, without attention on which skills...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Devising own evaluation framework

    Grade level:16
    Learning domain: cognitive and social
    Physical activity: a fitness trail, with obstacles, climbing, tunnel passages, balance, jumping; doing in pairs and one of them blindfolded in turn. ( In a gym)
    Outcome: Deal the circuit with the classmate collaboration, overtaking the fear of not seeing, and trusting mate.
    Presctructural: he/she can’t ...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Observable learning framework

    It's interesting!

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Observable learning

    That's interesting!

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Further reading

    Thanks for all the great suggestions.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Discussion

    In this week you give us many topics to reflect on. The touching issue, that I had considered before, but not in this way. I have appreciated the Model based approach, that I am sustaining with my colleagues, and it is a challenge sometime. One important thing that in the week elicited me, was the needing to meet colleagues and share our work. In my school we...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Share your online CPD

    I have looked the PE Playbook website, there are lots of article and news published by Teachers, about several topics, that's interesting. Basically we also have to stay informed with new medicine and physiology research, in order to train people in a suitable way.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Going online for CPD

    Great suggestion, I often use Google to search new sport games, or type of training, just to refresh my work. It's fantastic the idea to share with others your experience online.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Discussion

    http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1357332042000175836
    Just to give an example of an interesting website, but I agree with the other collegues, there is a world on Google Scholar!

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    CPD in the 21st Century

    I believe in CPD, I attend many coures online, certificated and in a wide range of topics, always related to my subject. It's a true issue the fact that, there are few opportunities to attend courses with cooperative work among Teachers, so it would be interesting improve the searching ability.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Discussion

    I had thought with a multy activity approach for many years, because that was the idea of a well teaching method. Conversely, it has been for a long time that learners are changed and new generation need more to be elicited than the previous one. Therefore, we must change our approach in teaching PE, in order to achieve the goal of including and spreading the...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Physical education teachers' top tips for using a model

    That's great, I have used the cooperative Learning methodology, but this is a well structured example! thanks.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Discussion

    I teach in a secondary school, so with teens, and until now I have talked about that age. I used to work with children in a pool, and I have to say that with children is more likely physical contact. They see you like a mom, sometime, and when they feel terrified of water, or they are disappointed with something, you need to comfort them.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Reflection

    I know about public anxiety around this issue, but I had never thought of it in my job. I think it's reasonable necessary physical contact, not only in gimnastic, or acrobatic exercises, like support; but also in explanation of some kind of exercises: e.g. when you have to control the back in abd training, or maintaining muscles twich, to adjust the position....

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Losing touch – Teachers’ self-regulation in physical education

    It's an interesting point, but I think it's challenging, and honestly, I couldn't avoid to support my students during exercises that require help and attention.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Touching in physical education

    I had never thought about it, since I started work with foreign learners. This because of different culture. I live in Italy, and I know that each country has a proper way to communicate. During my lesson it happens, as my collegues said, in particular exercising gymnastic, and acrobatic gym, that we need to support and help students in their performance, to...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Further reading

    Very interesting website. Thanks for the resources.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Discussion

    I have to go through the article again with more calm. I am very busy in this period but I have appreciated and thought about the information.

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Engage with your students' diverse learning needs

    .Collaboration
    .Fun
    .Understanding Learning objectives

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Engaging with students' learning needs

    I consider teaching PE, a pathway to achieve competences for life. Our subject has the privilege to include many aspects of personality. We can teach people to manage their body and brain in order to have relation, communicate, deal with unusual situation, solving problem, and overcome obstacles. Furthermore, PE gives the tools to chose any sport you are fond...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Discussion

    Basically the role of the teacher is to encourage and teach to all the learners we have. I think that also our behaviour has to be an example for them. I often do activity with my students, and with bystanders, it happens, that I play with him/her: for example, badminton, table tennis, or merely walking and having a chat. I have experienced that in the...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Task for lessons

    I think we have to do a distinction between younger and older bystanders. In the younger you can find the one who is shy, or embaracced because of his/her body. In this case, at the beginning, I give them any responsibility to manage the activity during the lesson. Additionally, if I have more then one bystanders in a class, I let them cooperate in task in...

  • Fernanda Amodeo made a comment
    Article - Competent bystanders

    In my experience, I try to organise games with modified rules and technique, to make more simple performance, in order to involve all the learners. Other times I share the class in small groups with different tasks, and suitable for all of them, and in turn change the activity. In this way, bystanders that are terrified of some requests, maybe can find their...