Page 31 - ELG1711 Nov Issue 452

RESOURCES . REVIEWS & RESOURCES

Alan O'Rourke BOOK OF THE MONTH

Lessons Learned education programmes. thought-provoking quotes several engaging features:
First steps towards reFLective The twelve chapters from academic sources, mind maps which lay
teaching in eLt cover areas like classroom teachers and students out the content of each
gabrieL díaz MaggioLi and management, observation, which provide insights chapter; the use of original
LesLey painter-FarreLL lesson planning, literacy into each topic. Users can metaphors to stimulate
richMond
isbn: 9-789-974-959170 skills and assessment. keep a record of how their readers’ thoughts; and so-
The book skilfully understanding of a topic called ‘pit-stops’ – sections
Lessons Learned was combines the theoretical changes by completing which allow pause for
conceived as a coursebook (‘Learning about…’) and reflective journal tasks. thought. Suitable for new
for use on teacher the practical (‘Learning This 440-page book is and more experienced
teachers. Inspirational.
packed with ideas and has
how...). It includes
Motivate to reviews in brief ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION IN USE INTERMEDIATE SECOND

REAL LIVES, REAL LISTENING ADVANCED B2 – C1
accumulate STUDENT’S BOOK, Sheila Thorn Collins ISBN 978-0-00-752233-0 EDITION, Mark Hancock Cambridge University Press ISBN : 9781108403696
This innovative 280-page book contains fifteen unscripted
This updated book is packed with practical exercises that
interviews, covering familiar topic areas, such as family and
systematically address common areas of pronunciation over sixty
a typical day. Native and non-native speakers talk at natural
two-page units. These areas are sounds, stress, intonation, speed,
speed, so that learners are exposed to the features of spoken
English: sound linking, elision, weak forms, hesitancies,
and includes a guide for speakers of specific languages to help
false starts, redundancy and colloquial expressions. The tone and accents. The final reference section is especially helpful
them decide which pronunciation areas to work on. A clear south-
accompanying exercises are designed to train students in of-England model is provided for students to practise, and a variety
listening, and also focus on interesting language points. of accents to listen to. With over four hours of audio material
Transcripts and a glossary are provided. The CD itself contains available online, I think this comprehensive and accessible book for
373 recordings. This thorough, systematic book can really help B1–B2 students works best for self-study. Worth investigation.
Wayne Trotman explores a book looking at how to MOTIVATIONAL TEACHING students deal with the challenges of authentic listening, and
importantly, boost their confidence. Recommended.
spur on students and, most importantly, teachers By Nick Thorner
Oxford University Press
978-0-19-420042-4 Reviews by Pete Sharma for Bournemouth English Book Centre: www.bebc.co.uk
otivation levels are generally high systems’ in which tokens are awarded for stated is another useful suggestion. Inexperienced
at the start of the academic year. and noted behaviours such as patience or teachers should certainly try this from time to
Even lazing on the beach has enthusiasm. time in order to gauge their perhaps assumed
Mbecome a drag for both learners The second part of this title focuses on the popularity or otherwise.
and teachers, and everyone seems keen to get learning context and considers how to create a Part three focuses initially on how teachers
down to some serious effort in the classroom. more rewarding classroom environment. may respond to factors that can have a great
Pretty soon, however, hidden agendas begin I couldn’t agree more with the author’s impact on the learning and teaching context,
to emerge and, even for experienced teachers, comment that ‘a well-liked teacher is a such as the gender, age and overall personality
language lessons can soon become a familiar motivating teacher’. This might appear obvious of individual students. One interesting trick
chore. Motivational Teaching is therefore to most language teachers, but the trick is is using computer-generated seating plans
a timely publication as it’s devoted to both to get the class to like you and maintain this to dissolve certain groups in class who enjoy
creating and maintaining what it takes to disturbing others. This of course enables
keep eager students of English interested and Teacher behaviour is more suitable classroom seating management
focused. without having to explain exactly why.
The first part of the book focuses on highlighted first up, and I Showcasing students’ work in online portfolios
the individual learner and looks at how to couldn’t agree more with is another I intend to implement in my own
increase students’ anticipation of key concepts teaching context.
concerning motivation: those of reward and the author’s comment The book ends with the equally important
pleasure. Since developing intrinsic motivation issue of maintaining teacher motivation,
is the aim, pages are filled with short tasks that ‘a well-liked teacher which is not always easy on a windy afternoon
to help generate a pleasurable classroom is a motivating teacher’ towards the end of the course when grades
environment. are low. I’m not so sure about the suggestion
Tasks labelled as ‘try this’ can be introduced of workshops at which teachers can exchange
and repeated, such as introducing a topical throughout the course. Opening the lesson classroom tips, but I certainly like the idea
‘word of the day’. Maybe ‘boiling’ for an with some casual chat while remaining of all colleagues turning up to a meeting in
afternoon lesson when the sun is still high seated is one suggestion; dealing politely with Hawaiian costume where tropical soft drinks
in the sky, or ‘gloom’ when the latest exam latecomers is another; and let’s not forget are the order of the day. In
results are shocking. ‘Word posters’ are another interjecting a little humour. fact, I think I’ll go now and
suggestion; learners can create posters of Getting students to help with letters is one organise this.
synonyms for over-used words such as ‘nice’ of the ‘try this’ tasks I use every year, asking Wayne Trotman is a
(pleasant, tasty, lovely). In addition, the book the class to help me with a letter of resignation
looks at activities that encourage positive as I can no longer control them. Ending the teacher educator at Izmir
learning behaviour. These include asking lesson by passing out slips on which students Katip Çelebi University,
learners to design and implement ‘token can provide personal and private feedback Izmir, Turkey.
30 November 2017 editorial@elgazette.com 31