Self-assessment

Self assessment in the Primary classroom of EFL can be approached in a number of ways. Most coursebooks include sheets or boxes at the end of a unit with questions about activity preferences, sense of performace, etc. but their filling can become a kind of meaningless routine for the student. A more intregrated option can be found in portfolios following the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Portfolios foster self-assessment and learning awareness through record sheets, questions or work collection for the dossier. This model of portfolio can be useful with that purpose.

Other resources:
Involving language learners in assessment: a new paradigm (article)

Some examples of self-assessment sheets related to the use of ICT.
Example of a sheet about work on a particular Webquest.

eTwinning

We commented on eTwinning in a previous post in this blog. This service enables teachers to contact with other colleagues around Europe and participate in school projects of different kinds. You can browse through these ideas for inspiration or have a look at the 2008/09 prizes.

Converting text to speech

VozMe is a Google utility that allows converting written texts in English, among other languages, to mp3 sound. Users select between feminine or masculine voice and files can be saved. Although the pace and intonation may sound a bit 'robotic', the pronunciation and stress are good enough.

How to say "coger aúpas"

"Pick me up"

Source of the image: http://www.claudiampublications.com/TheCards/CardPickMeUp.shtml

Downloading videos from YouTube

I read in this post about an easy way of downloading videos from YouTube. It allows two formats: flv (Flash Video), and mp4 when that second option is possible.

Fact Monster encyclopedia

Fact Monster site displays a set of resources to look up for information and facts: atlas, dictionary, encyclopedia...

How to say 'espinillera' in English

Spanish: espinillera
Basque: zango-babes, berna-babes
English: Shin guard

Science in English

The website of CEIP ÁNGEL FRIGOLA school contains a set of units which integrate the English and Science curricula. They are aimed at Primary Year 3 students but can be useful at other levels in schools implementing CLIL approaches for the teaching of English.

Karaoke

These are some links to resources related to karaoke materials or teaching ideas:


VanBasco Karaoke Player is free software to play MIDI Karaoke files. Lyrics can be displayed in full-screen. It allows to modify the tempo, volume and key of a song. It requires program installation on the computer.

Karaoke Party allows users to record their performance while reading the lyrics. Access to the computer mike is requested. More information.

The British Council site for English learning resources includes many songs accompanied by pictures, useful for sing-along activities. LearnEnglishKids Songs. Some guidelines and teaching suggestions are given in this handout.

This text gives 10 reasons why to use karaoke in the EFL classroom.

Furthermore, many videos with songs and lyrics can be found on the Internet. Thse are several examples:

A Whole New World (from Aladdin film)

Beauty and the Beast (just lyrics and tune)

All My Loving (Beatles, lyrics and tune)

Rainbow Song

Bilingual Education Platform

Bilingual Education Platform is a social network devoted to the teaching of English with a special focus on CLIL approaches. These are the discussion groups created so far:
- Intercultural Competence
- CLIL & Bilingual Education - Theory & General Issues
- Building CLIL Material: Ideas & Resources
- American & European approach to BE
- CLIL Lesson Planning: SDAIE & AL
- CLIL in Travel & Tourism Education
- Educación Bilingüe en Andalucía
- Teachers' Needs in Language Development
- Curriculum Integrado
- Raising Bilingual Children
- Synthetic Phonics & CLIL

How to say 'velcro' in English?

Wikipedia provides a quite complete explanation on hook-and-loop fasteners , an everyday object that we usually refer to by its brand name.

This song presents an instance of use for 'velcro fastener'.

Downloading videos

Links to some videos commented in the last seminar session:

- LEMON TREE
- COOL WATER CYCLE SONG
- THE WATER CYCLE SONG
- WALLACE AND GROMIT: CHRISTMAS CARDOMATIC
- WALLACE AND GROMIT: SNOWMANATRON
- SESAME STREET THE ALPHABET SONG
- SESAME STREET FAIRY ABC
- SESAME STREET SIGN ALPHABET
- THE THREE LITTLE PIGS: FRACTURED FAIRY TALE
- LITTLE RURAL RIDING HOOD

These are the two ways of downloading and saving videos which we tried:

- Using Keepvid.
- Installing RealPlayer 11 Gold.