четвер, 28 січня 2016 р.

I'm back)

The contest is already over for me and the next day after it I've been feeling as if I've come back from another planet, as if I've been absent from my usual place for a quite long time. This occasion was a real challenge but at the same time it has brought me great experience. I've spent loads of time and efforts preparing materials and lessons but, perhaps, I've gained much more - invaluable teaching and personal experience. I've met new interesting people, I've found out much useful information which can be used in my further work, to some extends I've improved myself. Besides, thanks a lot to all the organizers for the great activity, for splendid prizez and friendly atmosphere.

неділю, 24 січня 2016 р.

A little of success!

The teacher of the year 2016

 2016 is declared to be the year of English in Ukraine. Consecuently, it is natural that "The teacher of the year 2016" in English contest is held this very year.

For me it began about a month ago by taking part in its first stage in which I was competing with two other participants - two attractive girls - quite clever and persistent.


And being a real gentelman  I've won to save them from sleepless nights preparing for the next stage.

Shortly it came. It was last week. The second stage of "The teacher of the year 2016" in English contest. You even can't imagine how exiting and stressful at the same time it was.

 Lots of teachers from the whole region, the best teachers with great ideas, serious experience and stunning language skills. Eighteen talented teachers of English demonstrated their talents and experience to the jury. Each lesson was a real masterpiece of pedagogical skills. Oh dear, it was really a challenge to be one of them.

And the finale has already come. Perhaps, the most exiting day in my teaching career. We were greeted at the begining of the day by the organizators of the contest and the greatest challenge started...

And... here's me again among the other four teachers in the finale typing this post just not to be the last)))

суботу, 9 січня 2016 р.

A Merry Christmas Wish for You





While you enjoy the gifts,
food, sparkle of ornaments and lights,
feasting on favorite foods,
I wish this Christmas
would envelop you
in the special warmth
and rich contentment
the season brings.
I wish friends, family,
all those who love you
let you know how much they care,
so that you feel happily wrapped
in their affection.
I wish this Christmas
would be one you never forget,
a shining beacon in your memory
to light all of your days.

IWBs in teacheng Ebglish

New technology has been developed that many people in the past have never
dreamt of. Day after day, year after year, something new appears and we think
that this must be the end. How far can people go and where are the boundaries?
Thank to the experts from all over the world and their cooperation our lives have
become more comfortable, easier and definitely more interesting. Schools are the
environments where new leaders of evolutional teams start to be formed and
technology used at schools has so much to say. However, teachers are those who
have to stay current with the new technology and to be able to pass the knowledge
on to their students.
IWB’s learning objects as well as all the good coursebooks should be aware of
the basic principles which have to be fulfilled in order to receive the expected
results which in this case means not only a high-quality learning objects and/or
coursebooks but also and primarily pupils enjoying the learning process and
benefiting most of it. The Hausner’s publication called “Interaktivní tabuli!”
mentions the following principles:
1. Motivation – with a help of IWB we can achieve pupils’ motivation easily not
just because if the equipment but the range of activities it offers. It is easier for
teachers to work with pupils who are highly motivated rather than those who
are bored and cannot wait for a lesson to end.
2. Enough visuals – it means that learning becomes more effective if learners
may use their senses. To see from different point of view, different angles,
films, videos, to hear e.g. sounds of animals, musical instruments, to touch and move objects increase the effectiveness and help pupils experience subject
matters.
3. Feedback – we mean the way of discovering whether pupils know the subject
matters and we can take a step further on. It is advised to use some kind of
worksheets to receive the feedback and of course another way is testing which
is certainly not a pleasant way.
4. Activity – IWB offers, as mentioned previously, a range of activities which
will not definitely leave pupils passive. Almost everybody is interested in
what is happening on the screen and they want to participate and become part
of it.
5. Self-activity – this feature presents the idea of subsiding pupils and letting
them work individually, reinforcing the acquired knowledge.
6. Elements of fun – some activities prepared by teachers should contain at least
some of these elements. Learning becomes more interesting and enjoyable.
7. Suitability – it means that it is important to consider what age group we teach,
their level of language, the environment and other aspects which may affect
the learning process.
Teachers who want to use IWB also need a lot of support and training not only in
technology but also in methodology. Many teachers are afraid of necessity of
changing their teaching methods and styles but it is very important to let them
know that they may remain faithful to their older methods and principles only
with a great help of new technology. Sara Walker, the British Council’s teacher
also advises to experiment as much as possible. The most important message the
trainer teachers give to the teachers of English is to remember that: “pedagogy
comes first, Curriculum comes second and technology third. If this is in the right
order then technology can amplify what we do”.