Day: November 25, 2020

Using Literature in the EFL Classrooms in Miramar

As with any other method, approach, resource or plan, crossing the division between theory and practice is sometimes one of the most difficult aspects in our careers as Teachers of English as a Foreign Language. This is the reason why it is so important not only to read and understand old and new theoretical aspects of teaching but also to be able to put them into action in our local classrooms. Our contexts will define most of the aspects of our teaching, but we should not be afraid to modify those contexts whenever possible for the benefit of our students.
You have had a peek at what teaching with literature might bring to the classrooms, some of you shared your experiences as students in the forums. So, I am now asking to put those ideas, principles and doubts into paper. For this task, you have to read about the topic and combine the principles you have researched with your own experience and ideas. No position is either right or wrong, you can be in favour of using literature in the classroom or not, what counts here is your discussion about the topic and how you can state your view backing it with your research.
    Write an essay discussing the topic Using Literature in the EFL Classrooms in Miramar
    Follow the layout of any formal essay on any given topic.
    Introduction: state the reasons why you think teaching with literature in EFL classrooms in Miramar is possible/ beneficial / a hard task / or any valid point of view you might have on the topic. There is no right or wrong, just make sure you can back your ideas with solid theoretical background and examples from your experience either as a trainee teacher or student. Remember: Introductions are SHORT. One paragraph is ideal, two might already be too much. Just state why you are writing and state your position. Do not develop any ideas or explain any fact.
    Write the body of your essay. In this type of essay, it is common to use the advantages / disadvantages organization. Do not mix topics in the same paragraph, one advantage, one paragraph. Do not mix advantages and disadvantages in the same paragraph unless you balance each for the topic you are discussing. Make sure you use the correct transition words. You might want to discuss points such as teaching of vocabulary, grammar, cultural aspects, communicative strategies, etc.
    Provide practical examples whenever possible. You can discuss the layout of classrooms, technological issues, books available, hours of class, etc.
    Discuss resources available
    Discuss Approaches
    Conclusion. Dont forget to write a final, separate paragraph stating your conclusion. Do not provide new examples, ideas or facts in the conclusion, its purpose is to wrap up what you have discussed in the body of your essay. In general, it is a re- statement of the introduction.
    You can use the PDF attached as a guide. You can send me your questions or doubts as you write along.
    Include Bibliography and References correctly cited. Do not copy and paste unless you are quoting. Read, analyse, understand and re state in your own words. Use the APA Citation Guide throughout your document. This is the guide we use in English and Spanish so any formal document you prepare in your professional career needs to follow this guide. You can find it online.

    Send your essay at least 48 hours before your chosen date for the final exam. Again, you can send drafts, ideas, questions, etc. as you work.

Assignment: Feedback Review
Part of knowing yourself as a writer is understanding how you process and apply feedback from readers. Beginning next week, you will keep a Feedback Journal in which you document and track the writing feedback you have received, your resources/strategies/plans for addressing the feedback, and any questions you have regarding the feedback. For this short two-part Assignment, you demonstrate that you know how to access feedback and can initiate a dialogue with your Instructor about it.

By Day 3
Submit the Feedback Journal Document. Complete only the Week 1 (Feedback Preferences) portion.

Between Days 5 and 7
Access your graded Assignment in the My Grades area. Your Instructor will have entered a temporary grade and attached a file with comments and a question in the Feedback area. Read through those comments.

By Day 7
E-mail your Instructor using the e-mail address provided in the Contact the Instructor area. In your e-mail, answer the Instructors question found in your feedback. You will only receive full credit for this Assignment if you e-mail your Instructor answering the questionn.

Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:

Please save your Assignment using the naming convention WK1Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension) as the name.
Click the Week 1 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
Click the Week 1 Assignment link. You will also be able to View Rubric for grading criteria from this area.
Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as WK1Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension) and click Open.
If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:

Week 1 Assignment Rubric

Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity
To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:

Submit your Week 1 Assignment draft and review the originality report.

Submit Your Assignment by Day 3
To submit your Assignment:

Week 1 Assignment

Discussion: Introduction and Reflection
As you think of yourself becoming a scholarly writer, what kinds of things make you feel excited? What kinds of things make you uneasy?

Reminding yourself of your strengths as a writer can help you feel more confident, while tracking your challenges can help you improve. This semester youll have several opportunities to reflect on your writing and to collect resources and strategies to help in those areas you find challenging. By the end of the course, youll have a kind of writing toolkit to take with you as you continue improving.

To prepare for this Discussion:

Review the materials on scholarly writing.
By Day 4
Post your initial 2-paragraph introduction and reflection. In the first paragraph, introduce yourself to your colleagues. In the second paragraph, answer the following questions:

What is scholarly writing?
Thinking of yourself as a scholar, what is one area you feel confident in? What is one area for improvement?
By Day 6
Respond to at least two colleagues by doing one of the following:

Connect on a personal level with your colleagues introduction
Provide an example that fits their definition of scholarly writing and explain why
Offer a specific resource, strategy, or tip to help with their improvement area
If you struggle in their area of confidence, describe what you find challenging and ask them for advice
Note: Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.

Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:

Week 1 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 4 and Respond by Day 6