Sharon Cole

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  • Looking at the comments the main problem seems to be vocabulary and speed of expression. It could be worth attaching new vocabulary to a location describing it to increase the amount you have.

  • Sharon Cole made a comment

    I would like to follow up on some of the extra reading in the course. I plan to put into action many of the ideas I have learned during this course, the TBLT, the ideas about a class twitter feed, English as a lingua franca,( or in my case, a French students English). The new term in September will prove to be interesting. Thank you for a really interesting...

  • I agree with the results

  • Really interesting about English as a lingua franca.

  • It depends where you are sitting as to what view of English you have. If you work in Education in a European country, teaching English, the view is that everyone must have English. Students want, not only to speak with native speakers, but to stay in their homes to speak with them 24/7 to perfect their English.
    If your in California, as the text points out,...

  • My role as an English teacher of comprehension and expression is to encourage my students to speak and express themselves in English. If that turns out not to be in perfect 'Queens' English, its not something I personally labour. There is an expectation that written work will be corrected grammatically and comprehensively. I encourage participation and imput...

  • It depends on the level of English the students want to achieve. With the rise of social networking and the use of technology to help students learn in their own way, the English language will adapt and change to suit its curcumstances, and needs. I am a liitle concerned about a slow down grading of levels. Where will global English be in 50 years?

  • <I would be interested to know how a non-native speaker of English can give the students the real flavour of English, the accent, the culture and the humour. I appreciate that a non native teacher has had to learn English themselves as a foreign languge and therefore understand the difficulties of learning another language. I have learnt French whilst living...

  • The graph was a great learning tool that I will look into later

  • I like you analagy of the snow ball that keeps incresing as it gathers speed bown the hill. The English language is evolving all the time and other non native speakers add to it and as a native English speaker I am happy with that. I think its less a case of ownership for me, than a base knowledge from which everyone can work and then develop their English...

  • I generally agree that the spread of English has quickened the pace of ideas and discoveries, and the exchanges, like on this course are quick and easy to follow. The downsides are for the small languages that struggle to survive. Here in Brittany, when they talk about being bi-lingual they mean between Breton and French, not English and French!! There are...

  • Living in France I use English at home with my husband, with my adult children and with my students in English. For my neighbours, who don't speak English, I need to use French, also with my collegues at work, most of whom have some English, but not necessarily the administrative staff. Some days its a mixture of both. Having the home language i.e French is...

  • English is known as global because it has grown into a second language for most of the countries in the world, and why not have a language that we can all communicate in. I'm just thankfull that I was born English!

  • Sharon Cole made a comment

    I've learnt loads about using online social networking as a tool, combining with the TBLT and would like to put a project together with my uni for next years classes. Thanks

  • This has been really interesting

  • I agree that a combination of the two is ideal, it gives the contact but also outside of the class it gives the peer learning opportunities.

  • Brilliant idea about the Twitter account, also to use as a support for erasmus, really good

  • I enjoy this style of learning, as its at my own pace and rhythm, however, in order to complete a serious long term course you have to be very determined and focussed on interim goals and modules. You don't have the f2f link, and it would be easy to slip behind. I have learned lots from the other comments, and so the connectivist theory, where you learn from...

  • The role of the e-tutor is more difficult than standard f2f teaching as the reaction time is different. There is a time lapse online which must be difficult to organise. I don't think its for everyone.

  • The challenge would be to engage with your students. Different activities would be necessary as you can't see who is on the other side of the screen. The good thing would be the numbers, as in you can teach thousands, like futurelearn, all at once.

  • I haven't taught online courses but am interested in creating interesting lessons. Could a multimedia room be used like an online discussion? We have one in the Uni, but up to now I have only used it for the student mag and for research.

  • I am really enjoying doing this online course. Its not the first one, but is the most engaging. I have become better at organising my time around the course as I work part time. I find the more I have to do, the better organised I am.

  • I think for languages there is nothing to beat F2F, but it could now be backed up with some online learning. My adult students access the BBC 6 minute English outside of our class and I encourage them to use different methods of learning.

  • Both aare good methods for learning in different contexts. I am about to start an MA in Education online and the MOOCs have been a great training, so anyone attempting a more involved course should complete some MOOCs before.

  • I agree, I also have not been working closely enough to the TBLT approach and am in the process of planning next years courses and will incorporate lots of new things in the way I guide the course.

  • The teacher needs to be well prepared to make the class run smoothly, but the students must be connected. The secret is to engage with thenm at the beginning, and I dont have all the answers for that.

  • My last experience as a student in a French immersion class was great. With other cultures, like Russian, Chinese, Turkish and other English people, the rule was we only spoke French in the classroom, Mon -Fri 9-4 for 6 months. We went out on visits and cultural events to get a feeling of the history around us in Brittany and so had to use the language. We...

  • I just watched the video as I couldn't see it live. It was extremely useful for my work with CLIL teachers to fully understand the process and also of the task based learning which is more my own teaching process. I have made copious notes and am really inspred for next term!!!

  • Sharon Cole made a comment

    I looked at the first video, not that I am good at Maths. The lesson was led by the teacher at the start and the students seemed to struggle with the language. If they are not doing it every day it takes time to assimilate. The class was all in English which is good in some sense but perhaps some vocab could have been given to start which would started the...

  • At my University we run courses for teachers of different disciplines called the DNL which follows the CLIL principles. These teachers put forward a project to an examining board in March each year to pass and can therefore teach their subject, for a certain part of the curriculum, in English. They all work closely with the English language teacher on the...

  • This is really useful and a great idea for my students as it gets them to be creative in English.

    The student is waiting for a letter confirming his place on a course. He contemplates and relishes the idea of opening the letter and when he does it's great news!! He celebrates by opening a bottle of his favourite wine and put his best cd on the player. He...

  • Sharon Cole made a comment

    Role play is always fun to do. The difficulty I always find is identifying what each individual has gained from the lesson. My husband has a system of learning logs. Each student is tasked with making a few notes after each lecture on what they have learned and the log forms part of their mark. This encourages them to attend and understand what they have...

  • The TBLT approach is the one that works best with my situation, but there are also times when work has to be given and marked. The lessons still have to be well planned especially in a larger class if you are to keep control.
    The PPP approach is the norm in the College and Lycees here in France with a rigid national structure, and consequently students get to...

  • The two need to go hand in hand, having a native English speaking teacher in an English language class has to be good. As the video stated the class should appear to be spontanious, as with all good performances, careful planning is required for it to go smoothly.Even then things happen that are not planned!There has to be a balance between caught and taught.

  • My classrooms are normally to teach from the front, there is usually a computer and an overhead projector for power point presentations for myself and the students to use. I try to re arrange the room as often as I can depending on the size of the group, sometimes in a horse shoe if we are discussing something, other times in squares for small group/pair work....

  • The students are all wearing uniform and the teacher traditional dress, the room has no IT fqcilitiesm a blackboard and chalk. There were aproximately 26 in the group in rows, and the decor is made by the teacher. I only have my own education in England to compare as here in France its more a lecture room with less decor on the walls. The teacher has authority...

  • Pamela, I see that you are an EFL teacher like me, I teach French Uni students and other adults. I am starting an MA in Education in May, straight after this course, because I feel there are holes in my way of teaching, due to a lack of training, so any ideas or thoughts you or I may have I will be happy to share.

  • Thanks for the info, I could do a session at the beginning of term about different learning styles to discover how they feel they learn. My students are 18 plus, degree level, so will know. I use powerpoint/videos, sometimes radio clips, texts, but seeing exactly how they are progressing isn't easy. Motivation is always an issue.

  • Sharon Cole made a comment

    The question for me is how to combine the different learner styles, visual, auditory, reading and writing and social, better in the classroom, to suit the different students. How could I determine which is their main one?

  • I also agree, the main problem to overcome is a lack of confidence, especially when none native teachers always mark the faults and don't encourage. Speakers of English as a foreign language need to feel that they can make mistakes and its ok, and that you can learn from them.

  • Interesting to know of the different learning styles, I would like to look more into that to give variety to my lessons.

  • I agree with Jovana, as a teacher its better to help students beleive its easy, even though some aspect of language can be hard to grasp. My role is to help them communicate, to give then oral confidence, to present well, sell the benefits!!!I could certainly look at seperating aspects of my teaching and grading them myself to allow more clear time to explain...

  • Yes I think we all have the ability and when you have a aquired a second language, certainly if the next one has the same base, its easier to learn, French /Italian, both latin based languages. Trying to look for the similarities is key

  • When learning your mother tongue you don't start with the grammar. You start to speak with your family generally. The grammar comes later. In a second or subsequent language, you learn the grammar straight away, as French kids do here for learning English. The only problem with learning loads of grammar in front of actually using the language to speak, is the...

  • I think that the Bottleneck theory is interesting. With my French language learning I have seen it as a glass ceiling, where you have a certain amount of knowledge, but can't get through to the next level without further study. Then you break through, maybe you have exposure to another influence, other, different people, therefore you pick up their way of...

  • Q. Did you finish your project?
    A. I just need to write it up.
    The implied meaning is that 'the project is not finished'.

    Q. Are you hungry?
    A I didn't have any breakfast.
    Meaning 'yes, I am hungry'.

    Q. Are you hungry?
    A. I didn't have any breakfast. I ate late last night.
    Meaning I was full this morning, I may not be hungry now.

  • Sharon Cole made a comment

    Meaning- getting across your ideas to someone else, whether they speak the same language or not, and them understanding your ideas.

  • Language is almost like gardening, we all have the inate ability but it depends how we water it, treat it, what we do with it. It does open your eyes to a different culture, one that is not full of stereotypes but of real people, with similar issues to us.

  • Some humans are more capable of learning even their own language better than others. Are they genetically modified and pre-disposed to learn it easier? Or through the generations and their parents better education do they have better opportunities, as in other subjects.

    In a language classroom there are always different levels, but I know that some have...

  • I'm English and live in France. I took French at school for 5 years but did not progress well because I dismissed it as something not useful for me!! The first place I went to after leaving school was Paris! I so wish I had paid more attention at school, I now speak and write French to a good level, but still make mistakes. However my goal is always to...

  • Language gives you the ability and skill to communicate , it doesn't make you integrated into the other persons culture. It gives a tool for work and the ability to discuss with your colluegues ideas and thoughts depending on your level.

  • Hello, I'm Sharon and I'm English and live in France. I have been teaching English for 4 years at a French University, expression and comprehension and want to upgrade my skills. I'm looking forward to the course.

  • The eurostat, as I live in France, was interesting for education, and how the european union are tackling the cultural diversity/ education /language issues in europe.

  • Sharon Cole made a comment

    I also thought the info wasn't available, he mentioned 'eurostad' for european stats, which I will look up.

  • I would agree with Anna that its the local community that has ownership of the site, there does always have to be a driving force to get it movong!

  • This is really good that they all get together every week, it will be interesting to find out how it actually works.

  • Sharon Cole made a comment

    Hello, I'm Sharon and I'm joining this course to learn about Community Journalism for my work as an English language teacher.

  • British Muslims are citizens of Britain, who have integrated into society. They have a role to play the same as anyone else.

  • Some lovely pictures, but I'm not sure it works with the course!

  • I left Britain nearly 13 years ago now, and have lived in France since then. As an immigrant, from a completely different cultural background, (I am not religious) to the French, I was welcomed, with my family, and my two children continued their schooling here. They both had some difficulty settling in with other kids because their cultural make up is so...

  • Possibly if there were more chaplains like this one, ther would be more discussion prior to leaving Britain for Syria certainly in the prison population. Here in France, it was in prison where the terrorists met!!

  • Hello Diana, I think that you make a very valid point, at what moment do the indiginous people feel that they are swamped. A point I will also make, in the interview the chaplain tals about the percentage of prisoners he sees. 12% of the prison population is muslim, compared to 4.7% of the general population, according to the 2011 census.

    Does anyone have...

  • Interesting the variation of thought and the interpretation.

  • I knew very little adout Islam and have benefitted greatly with more knowledge, especially with the history and time line. Also some of the videos, which show daily lives and how they are followed, particularly the young female doctor incorporating prayer into her daily routine. I am personally not religious but wished to broaden my understanding of Muslims as...

  • How do the personal backgrounds of Muslims in Britain impact how they see themselves and are seen by others. There seems to be two types of backgrounds, born outside of the uk and second generation, born inside. Anyone born outside of another country and arriving into it means that adapting to the new language, cultural differences, habits are key to...

  • It was slightly patronising, especially the Mayor of Cardiff, however I found it an interesting archive view of the past.

  • A very interesting lecture and especially after the timeline which was great.

  • Sharon Cole made a comment

    This was great as a tool for my own students, and I have already used the techniques shown to help my French students write articles for a new student mag. Thank you for making the process so clear.

  • I read with interest your essay and agree with your theories about small businesses being the life blood of a country. I just want to ask a question. I live in France and there is a very high failure rate of SME's within the first 3 years due to the accumulation of tax and social charges loaded in the 3rd year of business. How does the US fare in this area and...

  • This is interesting to read about Moroccans returning to their home country. It could go further and explore which areas of work they are developing in their own country which are different from when they left? Are they importing new ideas gleaned from where they have been? My husband works in the University of Rabat and I visited there last year with him. It...

  • Sharon Cole made a comment

    http://pastie.org/9953785
    Discuss the reasons why the UCO in Guingamp is a popular local University.

  • What a fantastic resource the time line is especially the page about Poitiers. Having visited 2/3 times recently, Poitiers is made up of two steep cliffsides with two parts of the town and now a railway running in the valley in the centre. I can imagine it would be difficult to concquer as the terrain is not easy, when I am next in the area I will now pursue...

  • Some issues that Muslims could have, living in the UK, in their daily lives, trying to observe the tenets of their faith are:
    1 The possible lack of understanding from fellow workers when called to prayer 5 times a day. On this point however, from the video clips, I feel that this has benefits of rejouvenation of the person praying and gives a definite...

  • Who decides on the 2.5%? Where does it come from, it says surplus, but who decides on what is surplus, and where does it go to, there seems to be an awful lot of needy causes that are not being addressed so where does the money go?

  • Sharon Cole made a comment

    I found it interesting that she thinks that this strengthens her day and I can see, in her case that having a break and a place to pray is an integral part of her daily life . It gives her structure and order.

  • I have joined this course as I teach English in a French University and after the problems in Paris recently and discussions with my students, I feel it would be good to be better informed. Thank you.

  • As a first draft it was not bad, it could have been clearer the 3 points that were being made, also the impersonal comment at the end using I could have been 'It is thought that there will be more people to study English in future'.

  • Sharon Cole made a comment

    Discuss the reasons why people like to live in Guingamp.
    Guingamp is a small French market town situated almost equidistant from Brest and Rennes in Brittany, in the North West corner of France. Geographically this makes it a popular place to live and commute from, with Paris being a 3 hour train ride, and it's less than one hours' drive from the North coast....

  • My home town at the moment is Guingamp where there are lots of old buildings. There is a University near the town centre.

  • I agree with John about the pleasure of exploring Greek and Roman literature, which needed more attentive listening to, which trained those skills. The teacher should be an influence, a good role model because of the time spent in school, with the support of the parents focussing on the same issues. Sport is also very important for character building, teaching...

  • The most important thing before starting to write is the organisation of your thoughts, and the brainstorming of the ideas onto paper or screen.

  • I think it needs to be part of a whole package with the teachers, Head etc leading to filter down the virtues and character development through the school. I don't think it can just be taught, but study that links to everyday issues would be better<;

  • The ones I preferred were Topcliffe primary and Kings Langley. I felt very much a sense of brainwashing particularly at Eton and the other independent school. A question that comes to mind is what happens if a child doesn't fit, what sanctions are there, because there must be some, but they are never mentioned. Topcliffe had solutions to approach poor...

  • I am looking forward to learning more about the practical side of character education.

  • Sharon Cole made a comment

    I have enjoyed the first week and it has opened up a whole area for discussion at home and at work. Thanks.

  • The teaching of morals and character education must come initially from the parents, assuming that they have their own core values. The next step for me would be schools adopting a moral and ethical core which permeates throughout the school, and follows through all subjects and projects within the school. Extra curricular activities, charity work,...

  • Kids all want what they SEE as reality, which is promoted on video screens, television, films, music videos, rap etc. They aspire to this life, a life of having it all, for no effort. We have shown our children that its always necessary to work to get what you want, but the system here (France) gives them rights, 1 has chosen to work hard, 1 has not, because...

  • I can only personally comment on my own experience, from my own childhood and the experience of my children. From personal experiences in the home environment my brother is a hugely competitive person, through sport, and always was, even as a young child. I'm not sure what drives him. We both had the same influences at home, although he went to a public school...

  • I'm not sure that you can leave character formation just to be caught, it needs to be taught to give the definite options to students to choose the 'right 'path for them. My schools motto was 'Verus ad finem' - True to the End - reinforced at every point in the school.

  • Character education is something initially learned at home, using parents and friends as role models. There should be guidelines from parents, and show by example, but it doesn't always work!

  • Hello, I am an English teacher, working with second year degree students in a French University, and we look at Ethics in business as part of the course, so I am interested in developing my area of study to help them, and expand my knowledge.

  • I would like to discuss the changes in the amount of traffic in England, from when I was first driving as opposed to how I now find it as a visitor. Learning to drive, in 1974 I never felt that space and parking was a problem, there were less cars, distances seemed shorter than they are now because it took less time for the same journey. I was the only one of...

  • This is a good exercise for anyone wanting to write, being able to identify the different ideas and the supporting texts

  • He has organised his text into an introduction, the main body and a conclusion. He has expanded on his thoughts and has put in positive and negative examples to flesh out his ideas. His grammar and spelling has improved although there are still some errors, but his organisation of the piece is much better.

  • The text is really a series of statements, which need linking together and expanding. His tenses and spelling need work. He needed to organised his ideas more into a better order. He was optimistic for the future, but didn't say why. I feel he thinks that the modern China is better for the new build, technology aspect, but he doesn't mention what happens now...

  • The differences from when I was growing up in England to when I left 13 years ago are huge.
    The pace of life was much slower, with Sundays being closed, apart from parks or family events. I felt safer when I was younger, there were much less problems with drink, binge drinking in towns and cities. It was less driven by commerce and has become a much more...

  • Hello, I am actually English and a teacher in France, and have taken this course to see what its like from a student perspective and also I am looking to do a Masters in Education, and thought it might help to get into writing essays. Academic writing is not necessarily the same as 'normal writing skills', and I am hoping to learn the different nuances.

  • I didn't feel especially moved by either poems, but maybe they are not what I'm used to reading. I do connect with characters and also animals, particularly if they are being badly treated.

  • For me the characteristics of a protagonist are strength, leadership, and a mission, a feeling that they can acheive something, they are not necessarily emotionally driven, more necessity driven.
    I also missed the clues in the previous piece and was a man until the last line, but I shouldn't assume!!

  • Sharon Cole made a comment

    The first book that comes to mind with a major character that has multiple enactors is Gone with the Wind, Scarlett O'Hara, who starts out as a spoilt rich girl before the war of Independence, used to showing her good side when she wants something, but actually is prepared to do anything to get what she wants. She is so hell bent on what she thinks she wants,...