On Sept. 24th-26th, forty-six primary and secondary teachers gathered for a workshop entitled “Developing Learner Fluency” at the SEP offices in Pachuca, Hidalgo.
The group proved to be a pro-active crowd that dove into the many activities offered by "EXCELLENT" Canadian teachers Kevin Batdorf and Troy Gariepy on the first two days and by English Language Fellow Brigitte Miller on the last three.
These experienced teachers learned different ways to exploit role play, oral fluency games, how to implement cooperative learning with a reading jigsaw and interactive "routines". Finally, they discussed the implications of Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence theory on teaching and how to apply it effectively in the classroom.
The workshop's opening and closing ceremonies, which were organized by SEPA Ingles coordinator Juan Luis Lopez Lugo and his staff, were attended by the vice-minister of education and other SEP officials.
According to the workshop evaluations, 92 % of the participants found the topic and the activities very interesting and useful. The favorite parts of the workshop were the activities themselves and the part on “Multiple Intelligences”. Participants wrote that they will try to apply these activities and “role play” in their own teaching.
Finally, they hope to learn more about multiple intelligences, role play, group work, evaluation, fluency and songs. Other comments included, ““the topic was based in the curriculum – it is practical and easy to apply in classrooms”, “ none of the teacher’s wanted to go home when it was over despite the fact it was payday, because they enjoyed it so much” and “I learned great new ways to work with my Ss and reinforced others”. Thanks for all of your enthusiasm. Please leave comments here to let me know how these activities work in YOUR classrooms! - Brigitte
