April 2013 - Paul Dummett
MATEFL, in association with Cencage Learning, held the Spring Seminar/workshop on 20th April 2013 at the Malta University Residence, Robert Mifsud Bonnici Street, Lija. The seminar was led by leading EFL author and personality Paul Dummett and was attended by a record number of over 120 members. Both sessions were enjoyed by those present and some very interesting ideas were presented.
Paul Dummett’s career in ELT has centred around needs-based learning: from task-based learning for general English students through business English teaching to specialised ESP courses.
Involved in teaching, course management and design from 1988 to 1996, after which he ran his own business English school in Oxford until 2006, Paul has since then been concentrating on writing ELT materials. Publications include: Success with BEC (Summertown 2008), Energy English (Cengage 2010) and LIFE (National Geographic Learning 2012). Paul lives in Oxford with his wife (and children when they come home).
The Seminar was in two parts as follows:
Part 1: 9.30 – 10.30
The Power of the Image
We live in a world where images are used more than ever to reinforce, and at times replace, the spoken and written word. To present discourse without them is both unrealistic and unhelpful. Our memories work in pictures, our experiences are stored using them. Raising awareness of this can help students to remember language more easily. This talk examines how we can use photography to reinforce learning and offers some practical examples of teaching activities using photos from the National Geographic archive and the new coursebook series LIFE.
Part 2: 11.00 – 12.30
Developing Critical Thinking Activities
There is much debate about what critical thinking is and consequently of what use it is to our learners. I believe strongly that critical thinking is a mindset or disposition which is fundamental to learning and one that we should encourage in our students. This workshop looks at various critical thinking activities and offers teachers the opportunity to develop their own.
Paul Dummett’s career in ELT has centred around needs-based learning: from task-based learning for general English students through business English teaching to specialised ESP courses.
Involved in teaching, course management and design from 1988 to 1996, after which he ran his own business English school in Oxford until 2006, Paul has since then been concentrating on writing ELT materials. Publications include: Success with BEC (Summertown 2008), Energy English (Cengage 2010) and LIFE (National Geographic Learning 2012). Paul lives in Oxford with his wife (and children when they come home).
The Seminar was in two parts as follows:
Part 1: 9.30 – 10.30
The Power of the Image
We live in a world where images are used more than ever to reinforce, and at times replace, the spoken and written word. To present discourse without them is both unrealistic and unhelpful. Our memories work in pictures, our experiences are stored using them. Raising awareness of this can help students to remember language more easily. This talk examines how we can use photography to reinforce learning and offers some practical examples of teaching activities using photos from the National Geographic archive and the new coursebook series LIFE.
Part 2: 11.00 – 12.30
Developing Critical Thinking Activities
There is much debate about what critical thinking is and consequently of what use it is to our learners. I believe strongly that critical thinking is a mindset or disposition which is fundamental to learning and one that we should encourage in our students. This workshop looks at various critical thinking activities and offers teachers the opportunity to develop their own.