23
FEB
2018

ELTpics: A Digital Picture File for English Language Teachers

As teachers, we oftenwant to use images in our own classrooms. Although the Internet is full of wonderful pictures, it can sometimes be a challenge to find just the right picture that is also free of copyright restrictions. When I was first starting out in the field, about 35...
14
DEC
2017

Who else wants more engaging conference presentations?

Have you had the experience of attending professional conferences where you experienced death by PowerPoint—a presentation in which the person at the front of the room has too much text on too many slides. Often, the presenter then proceeds to read to the audience everything that...
16
OCT
2017

TESOL Board of Directors

I’m a candidate in the fall 2017 election for TESOL’s Board of Director’s. I’d love your support. Check out this catchy video, or read my remarks below. [Update: November, 2017. Thanks for your support everyone. I was elected and will serve on the TESOL Board from March...
15
APR
2016
The Wizard of Oz goes to TESOL

The Wizard of Oz: A TESOL Tale

This spring marked the 50th anniversary of the TESOL International Association. The convention in Baltimore was sprinkled with various celebrations of the big event. One such celebration was a musical production, The Wizard of Oz: A TESOL Tale.  In this retelling of the Wizard of...
13
JUL
2015

Thoughts on TESOL Interest Sections

I’ve been appointed to chair a task force for the TESOL International Association to look at how Interest Sections work within the association. I’ve often thought that these special interest groups are part of the heart and soul of how we work as an organization. But there are...
07
MAR
2014

Upcoming Presentations at TESOL in Portland

Will you be at the TESOL Convention in Portland. If, so, I hope to see you there. Come and find me at one of the following presentations.   The Next Generation of Challenges in Authoring Thursday  3/27   1:00pm   CC B113 Christina Cavage, Nick Robinson, Lynn Bonesteel, Sarah...
07
OCT
2013
Student reading

Three principles for teaching reading

In preparing our textbooks in the Q: Skills for Success series, my co-author Jenny Bixby and I have done a lot of research into effective methods of teaching reading. We’ve developed a few conference presentations on the subject. (You can download some slides here, or some...
26
SEP
2011

Class chemistry

Have you ever taught a class that just never seemed to come together? Or one in which the students all worked together really well? Do you think that classes have their own personalities? I first learned about the concept of class chemistry as a student teacher. My master...
12