Page 18 - Foundation Programs in Higher Education: Gateway to Success

Abstracts

Kate Tindle

‘My students just don’t read’
Engaging students in extensive reading
Extensive reading (ER) is an essential part of any language program that
aims to help L2 students develop into fluent readers. Among other benefits,
there is mounting evidence to show that reading a lot over a sustained
period results in improved reading comprehension (Grabe, 2009). However,
it can be challenging for teachers to motivate students to read extensively,
particularly when the students do not read regularly in their L1. This
presentation will outline some of the reasons why it is vital for our students
to read more, and by reflecting on the research and the experience gained
from implementing an extensive reading program, will suggest ways to make
ER work in the classroom, even with reluctant readers.

Anthony Gurr

‘Using Meaningful Technology in the ELT Classroom’

We are now 18 years into the 21st Century and today’s teachers are faced
with the challenge of moving from simply ‘using edtech tools and toys’ to
seriously entering the ‘Age of Technology-enabled Teaching’.
In his talk / workshop, Tony will explore what this means for the so-called
‘21st century teacher’ and, perhaps more importantly, the ‘20th century
teacher’ who is looking to use technology to meaningfully expand and
improve student learning. He will also argue that it is not a question of
teachers trying to ‘compete’ with the ever-improving technology that we will
see over the next few years but rather how we work with selected aspects of
that technology as human beings and principled, caring educators that will
ultimately make the real difference to our students.

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