My fourth day at the University of Maryland

Today I have learned that one of the best teaching methods I can apply when teaching English is the sociolinguistic one. Unlike the cognitivist method (which is centered in the individual and restricted to the written language), the sociolinguistic one is centered in the way language is used in real-life situations, and makes use both of the written and the oral language. Indeed, the cognitivist method is primarily based on written grammar and discourse, whereas as the sociolinguistic one is based on the way that human beings learn their first language in real life.

A marvellous computer lesson.

Yesterday I learned how to create a web space in which to share my teaching experience. I think that it was very interesting to get to know how to do that because that will give me the possibility of sharing my teaching experience with other teachers, among other things.

My third day at the University of Maryland.

Today we have had a wonderful lesson about how to teach pronunciacion. Although I have learned many ways of teaching that, what I will always bear in mind is that in order to pronounce correctly, the are two important aspects to consider. One is to pronounce vowels correctly. The other aspect is to stress words, phrases and sentences correctly. Specifically, even though a word can have many syllables, only one syllable is stressed. In relation to a phrase, in spite of the fact that it may be composed of many words, there may only be one or two stressed words (not more than that). And the same happens with a sentence!!!

My second day at the University of Maryland

Today I learned about Accelerated Learning with Multiple Intelligences. In general, people tend to think that there are only 2 types of intelligences: logical-mathematical and verbal-linguistic. Anyway, there are 7 more types: visual-spacial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical-rythmic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalist and existential.

This is very important for a teacher to know. Indeed, if you take into account that each student has different types of learning, and that each one may be more competent in some particular types of learning strategies, then you, as a teacher, must know that whenever you explain a new topic and / or prepare an activity, you must include in them as many types of learning skills as possible. As a matter of fact, your students will surely learn more if you have them practice what you are teaching by integrating as many types of intelligences as you can.

This week will be a success if...

I think that this week will be a success if I can learn as much as possible about the American educational system and, particularly, about how American teachers teach a second language.

First Day at the U. of M.

This week will be a success if I can share as many experiences as possible with American teachers and people in general.