Working with young kids in a language institute is not easy. The facilities are not always adequate for kids who would like to move around and play, teachers need special training to deal with people who are at a different stage in cognitive development, and then we have the matter of books!


All children's series I know and have seen are made for schools, not language institutes; therefore, series are not only graded by levels, but by ages. What do you do in a language institute where you could feasibly have 10-year-old true beginners come into your school? If you place them in book 1, the material is too childish; anything above that would place students in a classroom where they are at a disadvantage (not to mention teachers would have to deal with them).


What we need is an English course for children that is not age-bound. Does anyone know of such a thing?

Presentation materials

The MEXTESOL Convention in Morelia was a good experience. Technical difficulties made it hard to start this workshop on time, but I think it went well. I have received some e-mails asking for the material I presented, so here it is. Oops! I can't attach the files! Please write me to my e-mail account to ask for the materials. That would be rcervantes@interlingua.com.mx. 

Welcome!

From October 27th to 30th, MexTESOL will hold it's 38th International Convention at the Convention Center in Morelia, Michoacán.


I will be giving a presentation on Friday, October 28th named "Am I doing this right? Reflective teaching for beginners", and a promise of that workshop is that there will be a blog where teachers can share their experiences and what they are doing to reflect upon and improve their teaching techniques.


This is that blog.


This is also my first attempt at blogging, so bear with me. I need as much advice as to the gadgets of feedback you need, and we will try to comply as quickly as possible.


This space is for you, whether you attended the convention or not. We are expecting to hear from you in any of the four stages of the reflective teaching loop: plan, act, observe, reflect, and back to plan, act,...