Warm-ups and tasks
|
|
The "quick link" for this page: tinyurl.com/4non-majors
English majors have a reason to study English. Often, students who are non-majors don't really see much point in learning English. English isn't a means of communication for them. It is just a school subject -- often one they've never been good at. And these are usually required courses.
In my own classes, I try to connect the warm-up activity (and sometimes other tasks) to the students' majors, so at least we are doing something connected to their interests. This page is a resource page.
If you have other links to connect to these or other majors, please send them to me [marchelgesen(at)gmail.com] or through the "Contact Marc" link on this webpage (left column, near the bottom).
BTW, I'm not responsible for most of the pages linked here. Thanks to the many people who provide resources.
English majors have a reason to study English. Often, students who are non-majors don't really see much point in learning English. English isn't a means of communication for them. It is just a school subject -- often one they've never been good at. And these are usually required courses.
In my own classes, I try to connect the warm-up activity (and sometimes other tasks) to the students' majors, so at least we are doing something connected to their interests. This page is a resource page.
If you have other links to connect to these or other majors, please send them to me [marchelgesen(at)gmail.com] or through the "Contact Marc" link on this webpage (left column, near the bottom).
BTW, I'm not responsible for most of the pages linked here. Thanks to the many people who provide resources.
Just about everyone.
We are starting with music and some general sites, then moving on to those that are class specific.
lyricstraining.com/ Just about everyone likes music. This lets them listen and type the missing words. They choose their own level. When it asks if you want to create a free account, just click, "Maybe later."
Grammar + songs is a blog that suggests pop songs that practice various grammar points. Lesson plans included. Thank to Dave Hopkins for suggesting this.
Energy breaks The human body was not meant to sit still for 90 minutes. These are short (less than 5 minute) tasks that involve physical activity that students can do in a regular classroom. Each also includes a tiny bit of brain science, explained at a level non-native speakers can understand.
Also see the idea about short TED talks at the bottom of this page.
We are starting with music and some general sites, then moving on to those that are class specific.
lyricstraining.com/ Just about everyone likes music. This lets them listen and type the missing words. They choose their own level. When it asks if you want to create a free account, just click, "Maybe later."
Grammar + songs is a blog that suggests pop songs that practice various grammar points. Lesson plans included. Thank to Dave Hopkins for suggesting this.
Energy breaks The human body was not meant to sit still for 90 minutes. These are short (less than 5 minute) tasks that involve physical activity that students can do in a regular classroom. Each also includes a tiny bit of brain science, explained at a level non-native speakers can understand.
Also see the idea about short TED talks at the bottom of this page.
These videos provide tips for conversation/ speaking practice. Many you'll want to stop and have the students practice so times are indicated
Most have subtitles (CC). You might want to blow the subtitles up to 300% if using the videos in the classroom. You might also slow the speed to 75% to make them more understandable. Both are under the gear logo.
Thanks to Hall Houston for these.
Extreme listening. (2:11) Listen to understand, not just to get ready to reply.
6 Conversation Hacks (6:55) (tips for improving communication skills). Useful ideas. But a word of caution. Psychological ideas like "Sullivan's Nod" and the "Zeigarnik Effect" work-- sometimes. Like much of psychology, they describe likely behavior. Be skeptical of any claims about psychological "tricks." The science, especially brain science, just isn't that simple.
3 Bad Conversation Habits (2:58) (what we SHOULDN’T do in a conversation)
How To Change The Subject (1:07) (advice on switching topics)
How To Make Small Talk (2:02) (tips for light conversation)
12 Ways to Improve Communication Skills (7:05) general advice for communicating better)
Prompting Questions (3:26) asking follow-up questions, active listening)
With these next two, you might want to introduce the site in class. Then, when pairs have extra time, let them go back and use the sites for fluency practice. You students might need a dictionary.
40 Getting To Know You Questions (4:31) icebreaker questions)
200 Conversation Questions (47:07)questions for interesting conversations)
Most have subtitles (CC). You might want to blow the subtitles up to 300% if using the videos in the classroom. You might also slow the speed to 75% to make them more understandable. Both are under the gear logo.
Thanks to Hall Houston for these.
Extreme listening. (2:11) Listen to understand, not just to get ready to reply.
6 Conversation Hacks (6:55) (tips for improving communication skills). Useful ideas. But a word of caution. Psychological ideas like "Sullivan's Nod" and the "Zeigarnik Effect" work-- sometimes. Like much of psychology, they describe likely behavior. Be skeptical of any claims about psychological "tricks." The science, especially brain science, just isn't that simple.
3 Bad Conversation Habits (2:58) (what we SHOULDN’T do in a conversation)
How To Change The Subject (1:07) (advice on switching topics)
How To Make Small Talk (2:02) (tips for light conversation)
12 Ways to Improve Communication Skills (7:05) general advice for communicating better)
Prompting Questions (3:26) asking follow-up questions, active listening)
With these next two, you might want to introduce the site in class. Then, when pairs have extra time, let them go back and use the sites for fluency practice. You students might need a dictionary.
40 Getting To Know You Questions (4:31) icebreaker questions)
200 Conversation Questions (47:07)questions for interesting conversations)
Life hacks for university students
Photo credit: Jason Goodman @ unsplash.com
Thanks to Hall Houston for the links. All of these are long. You'll want to stop the video a few times
10 Life Hacks (13:25) good advice about taking notes, getting organized, etc.)
Top 15 Life Hacks (9:18) practical tips on studying, saving money, etc.)
College Life Hacks (5:53) "College is crazy" ...Every Student Should Know (smart advice on studying, food, etc.)
10 College Hacks (11:05) some useful suggestions about preparation, motivation, etc.)
30 College Life Hacks (4:45) quick tips on studying, using technology, and more. Some GREAT URLs. I'm not sure about the science behind some of the suggestions but most sound true.
Photo credit: Jason Goodman @ unsplash.com
Thanks to Hall Houston for the links. All of these are long. You'll want to stop the video a few times
10 Life Hacks (13:25) good advice about taking notes, getting organized, etc.)
Top 15 Life Hacks (9:18) practical tips on studying, saving money, etc.)
College Life Hacks (5:53) "College is crazy" ...Every Student Should Know (smart advice on studying, food, etc.)
10 College Hacks (11:05) some useful suggestions about preparation, motivation, etc.)
30 College Life Hacks (4:45) quick tips on studying, using technology, and more. Some GREAT URLs. I'm not sure about the science behind some of the suggestions but most sound true.
Class specific links:
Business
Curtis Kelly’s Business English Stories & Idioms Short listening tasks. The workbook/ tasksheets are HERE.
Quick Biz Readings Short business readings with a discussion task.
Commercials and emotions How commercials sell
Creative Business Cards Just what they sound like
Entrepreneur Story Commercials Thanks to Phil Macasland for these.
Business news in Easy English Simplified English news stories. Also some podcasts
Photo credit: Annie Spratt @ Unsplash.com
I teach in a business department. That's why there are a lot.
Curtis Kelly’s Business English Stories & Idioms Short listening tasks. The workbook/ tasksheets are HERE.
Quick Biz Readings Short business readings with a discussion task.
Commercials and emotions How commercials sell
Creative Business Cards Just what they sound like
Entrepreneur Story Commercials Thanks to Phil Macasland for these.
Business news in Easy English Simplified English news stories. Also some podcasts
Photo credit: Annie Spratt @ Unsplash.com
I teach in a business department. That's why there are a lot.
Elementary Education / Child Development (Early Childhood Ed.)
Songs for kids' classes Most have lyric sheets available.
Storytelling with kids PowerPoint. The tasksheet that goes with it is HERE.
For something very different, see the Mindfulness for kids page, an EFL adaptation of "the kindness curriculum" from the U. of Wisconsin's Center for Healthy Minds.
Songs for kids' classes Most have lyric sheets available.
Storytelling with kids PowerPoint. The tasksheet that goes with it is HERE.
For something very different, see the Mindfulness for kids page, an EFL adaptation of "the kindness curriculum" from the U. of Wisconsin's Center for Healthy Minds.
Food & Nutrition/ Home Economics
Food hacks. Youtube.com has many, many "food hack" videos. Most are longer than you want to use in class. Just use one or two bits. Alternative use: In pairs, students google cooking hacks (food) or kitchen hacks (many involve cooking tools/ untensils). These are longer than the 1-2 minutes of video you want per pair. Give each pair about a 2 minute time range (1-2:00, 2:00-4;00, etc. They find the hack in that part of the video they want to explain. They check unknown vocabulary, then practice. They may need to slow down to the speed to 75%. If there is narration, they turn off the sound. They show a new partner and narrate. If time, change partners and repeat. Once they know this technique, you can use it regularly.
Food groups is a lesson I wrote to preview talking about food. Students divide foods into their groups. Cooking verbs teachings cooking vocabulary. Use these lessons to preview having students talk about how to make their own favorites. Now that's a sandwich (audio HERE) has two friends making really monster sandwiches. It is a good model for students doing something similar in pairs/ groups.
Use google.com to have the students learn how to make something new, then teach it to their partners. (All my students learn about Beer Butt Chicken. How could I not share such important information?
Food stories from around the world. From international students at a university in Texas.
OK, this one is more than a warm-up. It can turn into project that will take some time. A 4-minute video talks about "Mercy chefs." Your student know about Food/Cooking. And this is Japan. They know about disasters. Have them design meals for serving large numbers (say 3-5 times as big as the class) that will give them nutrition and HOPE!. PBS Video Too challenging for first semester.
Food hacks. Youtube.com has many, many "food hack" videos. Most are longer than you want to use in class. Just use one or two bits. Alternative use: In pairs, students google cooking hacks (food) or kitchen hacks (many involve cooking tools/ untensils). These are longer than the 1-2 minutes of video you want per pair. Give each pair about a 2 minute time range (1-2:00, 2:00-4;00, etc. They find the hack in that part of the video they want to explain. They check unknown vocabulary, then practice. They may need to slow down to the speed to 75%. If there is narration, they turn off the sound. They show a new partner and narrate. If time, change partners and repeat. Once they know this technique, you can use it regularly.
Food groups is a lesson I wrote to preview talking about food. Students divide foods into their groups. Cooking verbs teachings cooking vocabulary. Use these lessons to preview having students talk about how to make their own favorites. Now that's a sandwich (audio HERE) has two friends making really monster sandwiches. It is a good model for students doing something similar in pairs/ groups.
Use google.com to have the students learn how to make something new, then teach it to their partners. (All my students learn about Beer Butt Chicken. How could I not share such important information?
Food stories from around the world. From international students at a university in Texas.
OK, this one is more than a warm-up. It can turn into project that will take some time. A 4-minute video talks about "Mercy chefs." Your student know about Food/Cooking. And this is Japan. They know about disasters. Have them design meals for serving large numbers (say 3-5 times as big as the class) that will give them nutrition and HOPE!. PBS Video Too challenging for first semester.
Japanese literature/ culture.
/ Intercultural studies.
Note: I teach in Japan so like doing activities where students share their own culture in English. Most of these you can easily adapt to other counties simply by having the students share info about their own culture.
Talking about Japan 8 different activities for talking about their own culture.
E-hon (picture books) There are picture book stories from 12 different cultures in various languages. Have them read the stories (maybe in their first language first), then tell them in English.
Curtis Kelly has a set of podcasts called "The Kanji of English." It shows how prefixes and suffixes convey meaning, the way elements in Kanji (the Chinese characters used in Japanese) do. These are useful for any learners, not just Japanese lit people. The word list is HERE.
Folk tales from around the world.
/ Intercultural studies.
Note: I teach in Japan so like doing activities where students share their own culture in English. Most of these you can easily adapt to other counties simply by having the students share info about their own culture.
Talking about Japan 8 different activities for talking about their own culture.
E-hon (picture books) There are picture book stories from 12 different cultures in various languages. Have them read the stories (maybe in their first language first), then tell them in English.
Curtis Kelly has a set of podcasts called "The Kanji of English." It shows how prefixes and suffixes convey meaning, the way elements in Kanji (the Chinese characters used in Japanese) do. These are useful for any learners, not just Japanese lit people. The word list is HERE.
Folk tales from around the world.
Presentation skills / Public Speaking.
(Thanks to Hall Houston for most of these links. Image photo courtesy Western Carolina University.). So of these are fairly long. Times are give since you might want to break them into parts.
Voice modulation (7:10) (changing your voice - pitch and speed). 4 basic steps.
Body language (5:25) presentation mistakes (mistakes and tips for good body language)
Essential Public Speaking Tips (14:46 - LONG) (advice on body language, eye contact, and more)
How To Move Around While Making A Speech (3:18) (tips on moving during a presentation).
PowerPoint Do’s and Don’ts (3:21) (best way to use PowerPoint in a presentation)
Group PowerPoint Presentation - What Not To Do (6:02.) (common mistakes in group presentations) The sound isn't great. I'd save this until after your students have some. PowerPoint experience.
(Thanks to Hall Houston for most of these links. Image photo courtesy Western Carolina University.). So of these are fairly long. Times are give since you might want to break them into parts.
Voice modulation (7:10) (changing your voice - pitch and speed). 4 basic steps.
Body language (5:25) presentation mistakes (mistakes and tips for good body language)
Essential Public Speaking Tips (14:46 - LONG) (advice on body language, eye contact, and more)
How To Move Around While Making A Speech (3:18) (tips on moving during a presentation).
PowerPoint Do’s and Don’ts (3:21) (best way to use PowerPoint in a presentation)
Group PowerPoint Presentation - What Not To Do (6:02.) (common mistakes in group presentations) The sound isn't great. I'd save this until after your students have some. PowerPoint experience.
Making better PowerPoints. This section is a bit different. It is how I introduce my students to the idea(s) of "Presentation Zen." I spend at least 3 class. The first class, they do the video below of me (Marc) explaining Presentation Zen. Then they watch the video by Gar Reynolds. The next class, they redesign a presentation (with PowerPoint) they have done before. Finally, they do their new presentation for the class.
HERE is a handout that will help you understand the video. The back of the handout has many useful links.
HERE is the 2.2023 version of the PowerPoint I use for this.
HERE is a handout with some main design points.
HERE is a revised list of links, including free sources of photos.
And HERE is a video (25:00) with Marc explaining the design points and how he changed his own PowerPoints after reading Presentation Zen.
Below is the main video. Hint. Turn on the subtitles (CC). It will be easier to understand. It is a 50 minute video. Stop a few times. If you have a partner, stop after each section. Talk about the ideas.
HERE is a handout that will help you understand the video. The back of the handout has many useful links.
HERE is the 2.2023 version of the PowerPoint I use for this.
HERE is a handout with some main design points.
HERE is a revised list of links, including free sources of photos.
And HERE is a video (25:00) with Marc explaining the design points and how he changed his own PowerPoints after reading Presentation Zen.
Below is the main video. Hint. Turn on the subtitles (CC). It will be easier to understand. It is a 50 minute video. Stop a few times. If you have a partner, stop after each section. Talk about the ideas.
Psychology
I'm very interested in using Positive Psychology in English Language Teaching and have a website with many free downloadable tasks. If you only have time for a quick task, check out 10 minutes for happiness
I'm personally interested in Mind/Brain/Education -- ways we can use brain science to help our students learn. Click HERE for my page of handouts, powerpoints, etc. on the topic. And click on MindBrainEd.org for a free, monthly bulletin on brain science topics, written by and for language teacher.
I'm very interested in using Positive Psychology in English Language Teaching and have a website with many free downloadable tasks. If you only have time for a quick task, check out 10 minutes for happiness
I'm personally interested in Mind/Brain/Education -- ways we can use brain science to help our students learn. Click HERE for my page of handouts, powerpoints, etc. on the topic. And click on MindBrainEd.org for a free, monthly bulletin on brain science topics, written by and for language teacher.
Physical Education / Sports
I don't think physical activities should be limited to PE classes. We all need to move. Many activity handouts at my Physical Activity in the ELT class page are useful. Also see my Energy Breaks page.
Activating the Brain through Movement Breaks (3:15 video from Edutopia. Turn on the CC subtitles.
5 Fun Physical Activities for ESL. The title says "5" but there are actually lots more. Check under the "verb" activities.
3 PE Lesson plans. These will take more than a few minutes. Each lesson plan has 3 games/activities. Copy them. Divide you class into teams. Each team reads, practices teaching the activity in English, then teaches it to another team. Then they change groups and teach it/learn a new activity.
50 Physical Activities for Kids. Just what it sounds like. Time required varies. The last 20 or so are outdoor activities so may not be practical but some will be. And how could I not include a site that includes "Temper Tantrum!"?
I don't think physical activities should be limited to PE classes. We all need to move. Many activity handouts at my Physical Activity in the ELT class page are useful. Also see my Energy Breaks page.
Activating the Brain through Movement Breaks (3:15 video from Edutopia. Turn on the CC subtitles.
5 Fun Physical Activities for ESL. The title says "5" but there are actually lots more. Check under the "verb" activities.
3 PE Lesson plans. These will take more than a few minutes. Each lesson plan has 3 games/activities. Copy them. Divide you class into teams. Each team reads, practices teaching the activity in English, then teaches it to another team. Then they change groups and teach it/learn a new activity.
50 Physical Activities for Kids. Just what it sounds like. Time required varies. The last 20 or so are outdoor activities so may not be practical but some will be. And how could I not include a site that includes "Temper Tantrum!"?
Physical Sciences
In pairs, student google science hacks. These are longer than the 1-2 minutes of video you want per pair. Give each pair about a 2 minute time range (1-2:00, 2:00-4;00, etc. They find the hack in that part of the video they want to explain. They check unknown vocabulary, then practice. They may need to slow down to the speed to 75%. If there is narration, they turn off the sound. They show a new partner and narrate. If time, change partners and repeat. Many involve simple equipment so they might need to prepare those as homework. Once they know this technique, you can use it regularly.
Short wave is a daily, 10-minutes podcast from NPR (National Public Radio -- the public channel in the USA). The website lets you see the transcript as well so students can read as they listen.
NatureBriefing is a site associated with Nature Springer, the academic publisher. You can sign-up do get a daily email of science news, analysis, etc.
The same teacher who recommended NatureBriefing also recommends Neuroscience News. (Thanks to Megumi Yoshieda-sensei for suggesting this site).
The site wn.com/naturenews has short videos (many 3-5 minutes long) on a variety of science subjects. It is associated with the journal Nature and uses videos from many sources. HERE's one of my favorites on the link between nature videos and human happiness.
MEL Science. Their Facebook page has dozens of videos of (and instructions for) cool science experiments.
Scientific American has "60-second Science" Podcasts. Actually, they are 2 - 3 minutes long. Transcripts are available.
There are many pages on Facebook that have good videos and information on many content topics. If you don't see your topic here, search Facebook to related keywords.
Neuroscience News & Research
The Science Explorer
Mathematics
Math Addicts
Edutopia's Best Youtube sites for math teachers
The www.exploratorium.edu is the science museum in San Francisco. It is designed for kids, but since this is science, many thing work for different ages. Check out the activities and other items under the "explore" menu at the top of the page.
Many disciplines can find useful teaching videos at https://www.teachertube.com/
If your students work with math, try searching for "math game puzzles." HERE's an example of a math "brain teaser."
Also see the "short TED talks" and especially the TED.ED talks idea below.
In pairs, student google science hacks. These are longer than the 1-2 minutes of video you want per pair. Give each pair about a 2 minute time range (1-2:00, 2:00-4;00, etc. They find the hack in that part of the video they want to explain. They check unknown vocabulary, then practice. They may need to slow down to the speed to 75%. If there is narration, they turn off the sound. They show a new partner and narrate. If time, change partners and repeat. Many involve simple equipment so they might need to prepare those as homework. Once they know this technique, you can use it regularly.
Short wave is a daily, 10-minutes podcast from NPR (National Public Radio -- the public channel in the USA). The website lets you see the transcript as well so students can read as they listen.
NatureBriefing is a site associated with Nature Springer, the academic publisher. You can sign-up do get a daily email of science news, analysis, etc.
The same teacher who recommended NatureBriefing also recommends Neuroscience News. (Thanks to Megumi Yoshieda-sensei for suggesting this site).
The site wn.com/naturenews has short videos (many 3-5 minutes long) on a variety of science subjects. It is associated with the journal Nature and uses videos from many sources. HERE's one of my favorites on the link between nature videos and human happiness.
MEL Science. Their Facebook page has dozens of videos of (and instructions for) cool science experiments.
Scientific American has "60-second Science" Podcasts. Actually, they are 2 - 3 minutes long. Transcripts are available.
There are many pages on Facebook that have good videos and information on many content topics. If you don't see your topic here, search Facebook to related keywords.
Neuroscience News & Research
The Science Explorer
Mathematics
Math Addicts
Edutopia's Best Youtube sites for math teachers
The www.exploratorium.edu is the science museum in San Francisco. It is designed for kids, but since this is science, many thing work for different ages. Check out the activities and other items under the "explore" menu at the top of the page.
Many disciplines can find useful teaching videos at https://www.teachertube.com/
If your students work with math, try searching for "math game puzzles." HERE's an example of a math "brain teaser."
Also see the "short TED talks" and especially the TED.ED talks idea below.
Short TED talks
TED talks are wonderful the the standard 20 minutes can be too long for many language learners. Under the "TED talks" link, sort by duration. Some are less than 6 minutes. Play it once with subtitles in the students' first language. Have them talk about what they understood. Then play it again with English subtitles.
Also check out TED.ED talks. These are short videos (usually about 5 minutes) with animation. There are subtitles, too. Go to the link, then "Educators Start Here." Next click on Discover, then "lessons." There is a range of topics, but many are related to science and technology.
TED talks are wonderful the the standard 20 minutes can be too long for many language learners. Under the "TED talks" link, sort by duration. Some are less than 6 minutes. Play it once with subtitles in the students' first language. Have them talk about what they understood. Then play it again with English subtitles.
Also check out TED.ED talks. These are short videos (usually about 5 minutes) with animation. There are subtitles, too. Go to the link, then "Educators Start Here." Next click on Discover, then "lessons." There is a range of topics, but many are related to science and technology.
THIS PAGE
STILL
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
STILL
UNDER CONSTRUCTION