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Michael Nolan replied to Jorge Obregón's discussion 'Classroom Language'

Rather than concentrating on idioms per se, try to introduce more authentic English into your classes (particularly at advanced levels). Vocabulary (including idioms) should always be taught in context.

May 15

Michael Nolan replied to Dante's discussion 'Do we really need course books these days? I say no!'

Why should we try to reinvent the wheel? I think textbooks are very useful at beginning and intermediate levels. Advanced students probably have more specific needs that cannot be met easily with textbooks. When you do use a textbook, you don't h...

May 15

Michael Nolan replied to Salvador's discussion 'Children interests of English.....'

Concentrate on content--find interesting reading and listening materials that appeal to them. Then you have to make them see that English is more than just a school subject--it is a means of communication. Therefore, they need many opportunities t...

May 15

Michael Nolan replied to aida's discussion 'Paying attention to the Teacher as student'

It's hard to do anything at this time of year--this is an issue that needs to be decided during the first week of class. Students can and should have a role in setting up guidelines for discipline and consequences for misbehavior. Then the teache...

May 15

Michael Nolan replied to Frank's discussion 'What's going on in our schools' computer labs?'

How can students be creative or communicative with computers if they don't know how to manipulate programs such as Word or Power Point? A few years ago children were taught all kinds of theoretical nonsense about computers with no practical appli...

May 15

Michael Nolan replied to Leigh Thelmadatter's discussion 'How serious do you think they are about this?'

I fear that adding English to primary school curricula will not help, and in fact it may prevent any real reforms that are vital to making secondaria and preparatoria instruction better. Negative learning experiences in primaria may make subsequen...

May 15

Michael Nolan replied to Frank's discussion 'An Unschooling Manifesto'

I like Pink Floyd's version better.

May 15

Frank replied to Michael Nolan's discussion 'Why do we do a warm-up?'

I think your take is basically the point of the warmer .. but let me try to add my personal point of view ... Well, I see a warmer or warm-up's purpose as to simply (but importantly) bring all the students into the present and onto topic via invo...

May 14