Leigh Thelmadatter

I haven't been active on this Ning for the past couple of weeks due to that lovely H1N1 bug that got everyone into a tizzy. While I didnt get sick (thank goodness), its really hard to get motivated to do anything when life is so out-of-whack. Finally, high schools and unis have reopened and Im back at work. Life in Mexico City is slowly coming back to normal, esp. if you consider it normal to have someone do a health screening on you coming back onto campus after buying a cup of coffee at 7-11!… Continue

On one site I use to connect with other English teachers,David's ELT World discussion forums, there is a lively thread on Twitter. IT basically started out with an invitation to those on the forum to connect via Twitter, but it has quickly grown to 'battle' (for lack of a better word) between those of us who love it and those who hate it.

Now, from the last sentence, you probably guessed that I love Twitter. And I do. But Im not going to soapbox here and tell you that unless you use Twitter, yo… Continue

Things are a little slow in the self access lab, so I have been putting some of that time into working on my wiki http://virtuallanguagelaboratory.wikispaces.com A LOT of time is getting eaten up just with trying to put some color into the thing. Part of the reason for this is that wikispaces' tools are a bit primitive and slow but as I work on this site and other web-based projects, the realization that I need at least basic graphic design skills becomes very apparent to me.

In a number of vid… Continue

Self-access language learning centers, or self-access centers (SAC's) are facilities designed to promote autonomous or self-directed language learning in students. Physically, they are usually one or more rooms with equipment and materials that students access and use on their own. Most importantly, the SAC has staff that is available to guide students if and when they need it.

A SAC can be considered as a cross between a classroom, a library and a traditional language lab. Like the classroom,… Continue

Back when Bill Clinton was running for president in 1992, he had a sign at headquarters that said "Its the economy, stupid!" The idea behind it was that in the hustle-and-bustle and general insanity of a campaign, it is easy to lose sight of what is absolutely most important... and what should be obvious.

In the world of educational technology, we very often find ourselves in the same position. Ask just about any teacher which is more important.. technology or good teaching and I will bet you t… Continue