Of interest to teachers around the world - and to those who are thinking about a teaching career overseas.

Issue No. 2

Editor: Prof. Robert Taylor

Publisher: Sunbridge Institute of English

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IN THIS ISSUE

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1. A Note from the Publisher

2. I’m So Confused!!!

3. Tips for Teachers: Idioms

4. Tutorial Course in Toronto

5. Interesting Web Sites

6. Language Software.

7. Classified Ads

8. Submissions Wanted!

9. Subscription Management

10. Contact Information

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1. A Note from the Publisher

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We have an interesting edition this month and news about our upcoming tutorial course in Toronto this summer. If you are considering teaching overseas, there is no better of faster way to get your TESOL certificate than by taking our intensive one-week course. You’ll work hard, have fun and learn more about teaching ESL than many people already in the profession. Scroll down to number 4.

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2. I’m So Confused!!!

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ESL? EFL? EAP? ESP? EAL? TESL? TESOL? TOEFL? TOEIC? RSA?

What do they all mean anyway? Would someone please tell me? I’m so confused!

Answer: Like other industries, the ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching profession has developed a number of acronyms. We recently downloaded six pages of them! Here’s a pared down list. It will either help you to understand what they all mean…or it may add to the confusion:

ESL – English as a Second Language. Usually the students have had some exposure to the second language.

EFL – English as a Foreign Language. The language is completely new to the students.

EAL – English as Another (or Additional) Language. European students already speak at least two languages. They may like to learn another.

You can add a ‘T’ for teaching in front of any of the above: TESL, TEFL, TEAL, to talk about business of instructing these courses. (Teaching English as a Second Language).

Some people, not satisfied with all of the above, came up with the catch-all TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). TESOL is also a standard for ESL teachers, demonstrating a solid knowledge of ESL methodologies.

Then there are specialized ESL courses:

EAP – English for Academic Purposes. This is focused on the English writing skills students will need in college or university.

ESP – English for Specific Purposes is industry-specific: Legal English, Technical English, Hospitality English, e.g.

TOEFL, on the other hand, refers to Test of English as a Foreign Language. It is a North American university entrance test standard.

TOEIC refers to Test of English in International Communications.

RSA or RSA/Cambridge is the ESL course developed by the Royal Society of Arts and Cambridge University in England. It is also a standard for ESL teachers.

Enough....my brain is overloaded!

(Okay! We’ll feature more acronyms in future issues).

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3. Tips for Teachers:

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One of the most colourful aspects of any language is the idioms and expressions. English is rich with great words and phrases. If a student is not familiar with idioms, he would have a very difficult time figuring out what the following conversation was all about:

Jim: Sally’s teacher was really in her face yesterday. He’s been doing his nut because she drew a blank on his test. He’s going to give her the ax if she doesn’t get her act in gear.

Bill: You’re pulling my leg, right?

Jim: Nah, he’s jumped down my throat a few times. I think he’s something else – always flying off the handle at something or other. The guy’s a fruitcake!

Jim: Sally said it came right out of the blue. She almost had a cat when he told her!

Bill:That’s a bummer. Sally’s no flake when it comes to her studies. What happened anyway?

Jim: I guess she was on cloud nine over her math score but dropped the ball in biology. She really got an earful.

Bill: Tough one. She needs to hang in there till spring. Everything will be copesthetic!
 
 

Expressions are often regional as well. Pity the person from outside of Toronto who, when asking directions to the Canadian National Exhibition was told to "Take the DVP or the QEW to the X!"

One of our favourite books on idioms is "Idioms for Everyday Use". If you are interested in this text, bookstores with an ESL section may have it. If not, go to our website, where we feature some titles we recommend. Click on the icon for this book and it will take you to the right page on Amazon.com. You can purchase the book directly from them.

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4. Tutorial Course in Toronto

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We are pleased to announce tentative dates for our tutorial course in Toronto. This five day, 30 + hour intensive course will give you a solid background in ESL teaching methodologies, strategies and techniques including traditional and contemporary methods, computer-assisted language learning and activities on the wide world web. It is an opportunity to earn your TESOL Certificate! Don’t miss out! Registrations will be limited.

Toronto: July 24-28, 2000

For more information about the tutorial course, go to our web site <www.teachesl.org> or email us for details <[email protected]>

Cost of the course is $475 and if you are serious about teaching overseas, this will be one of the best investments you can make in your own professional development and career.

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5. Interesting Web Sites

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Everyone likes to get things free. We have come across a website offering 6,000 books and reports you can download FREE. Check it out! <www.go2emedia.com/5464>

Know of any other interesting sites? Email them to us at <[email protected]>. We’ll check them out and share them in

future issues.

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6. Language Software

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Each issue, we shall tell you about some language software. It may be shareware, freeware or software available directly from the distributor.

Do you remember the ‘hangman’ game you used to play as a kid, where you have to guess the letters in a word and a part of your body was added for each incorrect guess? Well, there are several computer versions of this out and we’ll be happy to send you one as an email attachment if you are interested. There is one we found recently that is very interesting. It is not a large file so would not take you more than a minute to download.

For a copy of the file, send an email to: [email protected]. Put "Hangman" in the body of your email.

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7. Classified Ads

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Earn your TESOL Certificate in teaching English. Our distance learning course means that you can complete the course wherever you are in the world - and at your own pace. Visit our web site for information and to download the registration form.

Web site: www.teachesl.org

Email: [email protected]

Toll free voicemail and fax number:1-800-282-6299.
 
 

Thai-American International offers a good program for people who would like to teach in Thailand. For information:

Web site: www.taiteach.com

Email: [email protected]
 
 

The Canadian School of Management offers pre-graduate, graduate and post-graduate level diploma programs. Graduates of the Sunbridge TESOL course can apply their certificate towards a graduate level course.

Web site: www.c-s-m.org

Contact: [email protected]
 
 

Berne University offers distance learning degree programs. Graduates of the Sunbridge TESOL course can apply their course as the prerequisite TESL qualification needed for the Berne University Master of Education or Master of Arts in Education Degree.

Web site: www.berne.edu

Email:[email protected]
 
 

Would you like to own an online BOOK/MUSIC/SOFTWARE store? This is one of the HOTTEST businesses on the Internet. You can have your own online business up and running in less than 24 hours. Visit <www.go2emedia.com/5464>
 
 

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8. Teaching Positions

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English First Schools is looking for qualified English teachers for Jakarta, Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi, Indonesia and an experienced Director of Studies to set up a new school in Bangkok, Thailand. TESOL required. Email: <[email protected]>

Saint John’s International School in Bangkok is looking for a qualified instructor with experience teaching History and English Writing – High School level. Immediate opening. Send resume to: <[email protected]>

Does your school have an ESL opening? We’ll post it for you free.

Sorry, we are not yet set up to accept resumes (CVs) from prospective teachers. We hope to do so in the not-to-distant future.

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9. Subscription Management

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10. Contact Information

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Sunbridge Institute of English

10 Lower Jarvis St., Unit 127

Toronto, ON Canada M5E 1Z2

Tel/Fax: 416-352-5636 or 1-800-282-6299

Email: [email protected]

Web site: www.teachesl.org

In Asia, we may be contacted at:

Sunbridge Institute of English

302/120 Central Condominium

Latphrao Soi 1

Latphrao, Bangkok 10900 Thailand

Tel: (66-1) 854-7846

Fax: (662) 513-1110

Email: [email protected]