Page 366 - Teaching English as a Foreign Language for Dummies 2009

Chapter 24: Ten Great Resources for TEFL Teachers
345
Attending Professional Seminars
In countries where EFL is popular, publishing houses, larger teaching institutions and examining boards organise yearly lectures and sessions for teachers to update themselves on methodology and resources. They can be very refreshing, not least because you get to discuss your problems with other teachers who may have found solutions. Some offer free sessions as long as you register and for others you need to pay (or ask your employer to – it’s worth a try, anyway).
Regular seminars are held by:
✓ Cambridge ESOL to make sure teachers are fully acquainted with their exams and know how to prepare candidates to take them. You can find a country by country list at www.cambridgeesol.org/resources/ teacher/seminars.html
✓ IATEFL ( International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language) also have a yearly conference and special interest groups online for teachers who want to develop in particular areas. Take a look at their homepage www.iatefl.org for further information.
Getting Your Hands on Real Stuff
Realia refers to real objects you take into the classroom to help you teach. By this I do not mean things like dictionaries or board pens. Realia might be a tomato, a remote control or a piece of clothing which generates interest in the topic you are discussing.
Maps
Real maps are fascinating for students abroad and in native English speaking countries alike. Take the iconic London Underground tube map. You can tell a story about a day in London while students follow the locations on the map, use it to practise directions, pronunciation of place names, colours or just create an atmosphere of full immersion in your classroom.
Maps of entire countries and cities are great too and even neighbourhood layouts give students a bit of insight into how English-speaking communities work. A map of the world is a must-have when people of different nationalities meet.