This month's programme was live from Tataouine,but not in some far away distance galaxy on the desert-planet Tataooine!, but the shorter distance of 531 kilometres from Tunis down in the south-west of Tunisia.
George Lucas was inspired by the town of Tataouine to use as an name for the sandy planet in the epic Star Wars films ; he also shot many of the scenes in the nearby surrounding desert.
click here for more information on Tataouinne
By the way there's the French expression 'Tataouinne-les-Bains' (go to Tataouinne ) which means to get lost at the end of the world!
Well,today's programme was on the topic of' 'Developing Teachers' English' and today's guests were Secondary and Primary teachers plus British Council Tunisia's English Project Manager Maria Norton.
The teachers discussed the importance of lots of exposure to English and though teachers might not always feel confident about speaking English in the class they mustn't be frightened of making mistakes 'mistakes are a part of life' ,in addition being well prepared for the lesson to avoid making mistakes in the classroom.
Maria emphasised how important a comfortable learning environment is for both the teacher and the students so that everybody is relaxed in the teaching/learning process.
One of the teachers mentioned the relevance of teacher development 'a teacher isn't static and needs to develop' ; to keep up with the students'. Hayet,the radio presenter said it's a case of 'keeping up with the Jones!'. One teacher advocated the idea of teachers having a weekly meeting discussing teacher development but conducting the meeting completely in English. Or having a 'Teachers Club ' where you chat about any topic that appeals to you!
Regarding resources to support teachers to develop/improve their language skills Maria mentioned the free resources/materials on the British Council Teaching English/Learn English/Premier English web sites.
Developing/improving your listening skills helps with improving your speaking and one of the teachers said he liked listening to songs for instance Michael Jackson and Marah Carey!
And finally another way to develop your English is to have a notebook and write some of the things you have done during the day and to make note of any new vocabulary that you have learnt writing down the definition with example sentences.
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At the end of the programme Hayet invented her own proverb!
'An hour of English every day helps you on your way to improve your English!' One of the teachers said it was possible in Tataouine to find an hour 'we're in the middle of nowhere and Tataoiune is monotonous!'.
Today there were 4 winners of the quiz questions! Two people from Tunis,one from Gafsa and finally a winner from Tataoiune!
During my Saturday Young Learners class (students aged from 12 - 14) the students listened to part of the programme and agreed with the comment that a love of the English language and reading (newspapers,magazines,books and even e-books) was important in developing/improving Teachers' English.
Earlier on in my lesson some of the students had mentioned that their teachers of English at their school spoke mostly in French and Arabic;one teacher didn't speak in English at all whilst a couple of teachers spoke completely in English.Perhaps their teachers had listened to today's programme for some ideas!
In my lesson the students also discussed and wrote down their ideas for helping students develop/improve their English;here are some of the ideas that they mentioned:
click here to listen to the programme
rtci tunisia podcast web page
'Teaching is an Art! ' Use it or Lose it!' 'An Hour an Day!
'Keep on Sharing your Ideas!'
Well,it's goodbye from Tataouine! Enjoy your teaching!
click here for more information on Tataouinne
By the way there's the French expression 'Tataouinne-les-Bains' (go to Tataouinne ) which means to get lost at the end of the world!
Well,today's programme was on the topic of' 'Developing Teachers' English' and today's guests were Secondary and Primary teachers plus British Council Tunisia's English Project Manager Maria Norton.
The teachers discussed the importance of lots of exposure to English and though teachers might not always feel confident about speaking English in the class they mustn't be frightened of making mistakes 'mistakes are a part of life' ,in addition being well prepared for the lesson to avoid making mistakes in the classroom.
Maria emphasised how important a comfortable learning environment is for both the teacher and the students so that everybody is relaxed in the teaching/learning process.
One of the teachers mentioned the relevance of teacher development 'a teacher isn't static and needs to develop' ; to keep up with the students'. Hayet,the radio presenter said it's a case of 'keeping up with the Jones!'. One teacher advocated the idea of teachers having a weekly meeting discussing teacher development but conducting the meeting completely in English. Or having a 'Teachers Club ' where you chat about any topic that appeals to you!
Regarding resources to support teachers to develop/improve their language skills Maria mentioned the free resources/materials on the British Council Teaching English/Learn English/Premier English web sites.
Developing/improving your listening skills helps with improving your speaking and one of the teachers said he liked listening to songs for instance Michael Jackson and Marah Carey!
And finally another way to develop your English is to have a notebook and write some of the things you have done during the day and to make note of any new vocabulary that you have learnt writing down the definition with example sentences.
.JPG)
At the end of the programme Hayet invented her own proverb!
'An hour of English every day helps you on your way to improve your English!' One of the teachers said it was possible in Tataouine to find an hour 'we're in the middle of nowhere and Tataoiune is monotonous!'.
Today there were 4 winners of the quiz questions! Two people from Tunis,one from Gafsa and finally a winner from Tataoiune!
During my Saturday Young Learners class (students aged from 12 - 14) the students listened to part of the programme and agreed with the comment that a love of the English language and reading (newspapers,magazines,books and even e-books) was important in developing/improving Teachers' English.
Earlier on in my lesson some of the students had mentioned that their teachers of English at their school spoke mostly in French and Arabic;one teacher didn't speak in English at all whilst a couple of teachers spoke completely in English.Perhaps their teachers had listened to today's programme for some ideas!
In my lesson the students also discussed and wrote down their ideas for helping students develop/improve their English;here are some of the ideas that they mentioned:
- speak to your family and friends in English,
- talk all day long in English,
- write letters to your friends in English,
- learn the traditions of England to know the country and the language much better,
- set your phone,computer and television to English,
- have an English pen friend
- focus and concentrate on the lesson
click here to listen to the programme
rtci tunisia podcast web page
'Teaching is an Art! ' Use it or Lose it!' 'An Hour an Day!
'Keep on Sharing your Ideas!'
Well,it's goodbye from Tataouine! Enjoy your teaching!
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