The ISCB eMag

Introduction

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:05:31 +0000

Dear teachers and students,

Hope you are all well! Thanks for your commentaries on our last issue!

We are very proud to tell you that we have enlarged our premises since we have opened a new bigger staff room, a lounge for students and parents and a larger cafeteria in our main building and a new staff room for the annex II, second floor.

In this third issue, we are giving you some useful pieces of advice to cope with final exams. We have included some useful websites for students to get extra practice and information as well as resources for teachers. Then, there is also an article to manage stress during exams and pass them more successfully. Remember you can e-mail your doubts to iscb_coord@yahoo.com.ar .

Concerning teacher development, we are organizing a number of workshops and seminars for February 2012. We are also including information for the 2012 courses on Professional Business English for all levels, Proficiency, conversation courses as well as short seminars for teacher development. And for all those teachers who have no time to attend a course but want to get some training on Methodology we will be offering the TKT on line among other courses!!!

This year we have enjoyed “The Three Musketeers”. The show was really impressive! And kids, teens and adults enjoyed it very much! No doubt we will be repeating the experience next year!

As in all issues, we are including some book reviews. We have read these novels and want to recommend them to you! Hope you share our choices! And in this occasion we have interviewed Sandra Mica, teacher of Written & Oral Expression at our teachers’ training College.
Cannot miss it!!

Visit our web pages to keep informed about promotions, enrolment dates and news. You can also join us in Facebook and follow us in Twitter.

Hope you find this new issue interesting!
Looking forward to your commentaries!

Kind regards,

Lic. J. Carlos Udovin
General Director ISCB

The interview corner

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:53:35 +0000

In this issue we have interviewed Prof. Sandra Mica (Teacher of EPD III, Written & Oral Language Expression at ISCB Teachers’ Training College) … and these are her answers…lovely! Thanks a lot Sandra!!

I became an English teacher because I was greatly influenced by two unforgettable mentors: My first form Spanish teacher, “Señorita Juanita” and my first year grammar teacher, Mr Carlos Eloir. The former taught me that trying is far more important than succeeding. She inspired us, first formers, to do our utmost to read and write; not to be the best readers or writers but to strive daily to read and write well. The latter taught me that life is struggle… and so is teaching! He taught us, first year grammar students, that those who avoid struggle, never taste the sweetness of success. I am deeply indebted to them both; their message that teachers teach for their students and for themselves will be imprinted on my mind forever.

Teaching is like a surprise gift to open, like becoming a part of someone’s life, like the opportunity to go beyond and … do something! Someone once told me that there are teachers and then there is everyone else – inspiring thought!

Something (material) I cannot live without is my computer. I would not say I cannot live without it; it does have a considerable amount of info, which I use to deliver my daily lessons, though. It provides me with interesting material for my students, lovely music for my classes, amusing movies for my kids, connections with my study group … the list is endless! I suppose I have become heavily dependent on it. Whether I would live without it? Totally! We, human beings, get used to almost everything in life!

Something not many people know about me is the fact that I am a mother of lovely and restless twins: Julieta and Valentino. Since the birth of these two little angels, I have learned, step by step – though at times the hard way- to combine part-time teaching with part-time motherhood; combination which suits me quite ok.

One of the best books I have ever read is “For Whom the Bells Toll” by Ernest Hemingway – my favourite novelist ever!

My most recent achievement is “motherhood”. I do not actually know whether it might be called an achievement, but I do feel it so. My kids show me that I am surrounded by miracles: their laughter, their learning, my teaching them something is not the magic of Merlin but the magic and miracle of Love!

One of my next aims is to have a BA in Linguistics. I have been studying for two years now, but it requires hard work. My tutors say it is doable; I do take them at their word.

My favourite quotation is “Start by doing what is necessary, then what’s possible and suddenly you will find yourself doing the impossible”. At times, achieving a goal is hard but this quotation has helped me to establish priorities and do things one at a time. Eventually, I have found myself meeting goals I had never expected to reach before. Francis of Assisi used this quotation a lot.

Useful websites

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:47:34 +0000

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/quizzes/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/teach/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/specials/

CANDIDATE SUPPORT University of Cambridge ESOL Exams

http://www.candidates.cambridgeesol.org/cs/Help_with_exams/General_English/FCE

http://www.candidates.cambridgeesol.org/cs/Help_with_exams/General_English/CAE

http://www.candidates.cambridgeesol.org/cs/Help_with_exams/General_English/CPE

http://www.candidates.cambridgeesol.org/cs/Help_with_exams/Professional_English/BEC_Preliminary

http://www.candidates.cambridgeesol.org/cs/Help_with_exams/Professional_English/BEC_Vantage

http://www.candidates.cambridgeesol.org/cs/Help_with_exams/Professional_English/BEC_Higher

Article – How to cope with stress during exams

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:01:35 +0000

As educational requirements get more demanding at all levels in education, students everywhere experience considerable stress. Here are some student stress relief tips and tools that students can use to learn study skills, prepare for exams and minimize their stress levels to make learning easier, including an explanation of the importance of student stress management, and resources to help you reduce the school stress you experience.

Some useful recommendations!!

Manage Time Wisely: It’s important to give yourself plenty of time to work on your studies if you want to do well, and you can save yourself a lot of stress if you plan ahead with good time management skills. Setting up a schedule for study, breaking up your studies into smaller chunks, and other time management skills are essential.

Get Organized: Have a system of organization for note-taking, keeping track of assignments, and other important papers. Being organized can bring you the peace of mind that comes from knowing where everything is, remembering deadlines and test dates, and clearing your mind of some of the mental clutter that disorganization brings. Keep a calendar, a schedule, and a filing system for your school assignments and you’ll find it prevents a significant amount of stress!

Create a Good Study Environment: Creating a soothing environment can reduce stress and help you learn. Aromatherapy, for example, is a known stress reliever. Playing classical music as you study can also soothe you and help you learn (unless you find it distracting).

Know Your Learning Style: Did you know that we don’t all learn in the same way? It’s important to know whether you’re a visual, kinesthetic or auditory learner, as you can tailor your study practices around your particular learning style and make success easier to attain.

Practice Visualizations: Visualizations and imagery are proven stress management techniques. You can also reduce student stress and improve test performance by imagining yourself achieving your goals. Take a few minutes each day and visualize, in detail, what you’d like to happen, whether it’s giving a presentation without getting nervous, acing an exam, or something else that will support your success. Then work hard and make it happen! Self-confidence is essential to cope with exams successfully.

Develop Optimism: It’s been proven that optimists—those who more easily shrug off failures and multiply successes—are healthier, less stressed, and more successful. You can develop the traits of optimism and harness these benefits for yourself, and do better in your studies as a result.

Get Enough Sleep: If you want your performance to be optimum you need to be well-rested. Research shows that those who are sleep-deprived have more trouble learning and remembering, and perform more poorly in many areas. Work your schedule so you get enough sleep, or take power naps.

Use Stress Management Techniques: Chronic stress can actually impair your ability to learn and remember facts as well, stress management is one of the most important–and most overlooked–school necessities. Try to focus on the aspects that cause you stress and work on reducing them.

Learn Study Skills: Learn are some more specific techniques that can help you improve your performance. The more prepared you are, the less stressed you’ll be! Ask your teacher to incorporate communication, cognitive and metacognitive skills!

Exams are another stage in our lifelong learning experience. One more stage to learn …be positive, take them as a positive moment and you will be all right!!

Book review

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:58:45 +0000

Juan Carlos Udovin recommends reading … “THE READER” by Bernhard Schlink. There is also a film but the novel is brilliant!
When young Michael Berg falls ill on his way home from school, he is rescued by Hanna, a woman twice his age. She becomes his lover, enthralling him with her passion, but puzzling him with her odd silences. Then she disappears. Michael next sees her when she is on trial for a hideous crime, refusing to defend herself. As he watches, he begins to realize that Hanna may be guarding a secret she considers more shameful than murder….

Paula Mior recommends reading… “Shakespeare in Love.” A Screenplay by Marc Norman & Tom Stoppard. If you liked the film, you will “fall in love” with the screenplay. Delightful!
“An intoxicatingly glamorous romance” The New York Times
“An exciting-erotic entertainment” The New Yorker

Sandra Mica recommends reading… “Cry the Beloved Country” by Alan Paton.
It is a fantastic novel, which deals with the desperate effort of a tenacious father who searches high and low for his delinquent son in the largest city of Africa: Johannesburg.

Getting ready for the 2012 – Courses for professionals

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:20:05 +0000

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2012
COURSES, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

Business English

Take your career further!!!

To succeed in international business, you need good knowledge of English. If you can show that you have relevant language skills, you will have a great advantage in the jobs market at home and much greater flexibility if you want to work abroad.

Cambridge BEC (Business English Certificate) can help you to get ahead in your career. They are international highly recognized qualifications that show you have learnt English to an appropriate standard and can use it in a professional context.

Studying for BEC will help you to improve your language skills and to learn to use them in business. While you are preparing for the exam, you will be learning and practising the skills you will need in real business situations.

Available at three levels: BEC I (preliminary) – BEC II (Vantage) – BEC III (Higher)

BEC I – Tuesdays 19 to 21
BEC II – Thursdays 19 to 21
BEC III-Two Fridays a month from 19:30 to 21:30
STARTING IN APRIL!!

Academic Offer for Teachers

BUSINESS ENGLISH FOR TEACHERS

This course has been specially designed for all those teachers or students at tertiary level who want to study Business English for personal interest and/or to teach ESP. During the course there will be a great emphasis on vocabulary development connected to the areas of finance, economics, marketing, publicity, new technologies, etc and reinforcement of areas of grammar. Participants will also gain knowledge of the professional business worldwide.
Participants may sit for the Cambridge Exam: BEC Higher (Business English Certificate) at the end of the course if they are interested in getting an international certificate.
Two Fridays per month from 19:30 to 21:30 hs
April to November

TKT COURSE

The TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test) course is a test developed by Cambridge ESOL for teachers of English of other languages. The course is suitable for initial teacher training qualifications as well as in-service training.
It helps participants to further develop their knowledge of the English language, of key concepts of language teaching and learning and lesson implementation.
This certificate gives teachers the possibility of having an international certificate in TESOL.
It consists of 3 MODULES:
MODULE 1: Language & background to language learning & teaching (9 weeks)
MODULE 2: Lesson planning & use of resources (5 weeks)
MODULE 3: Management of the teaching & learning processes (5 weeks)

On-line course – MODULE 1 starting in MAY !!! NEW

FEBRUARY2012

Workshops

Project Work with Young Learners I
Saturday 18^th February 9:30 to 11:00

Readers Galore! I
Saturday 18^th February 11:30 to 13:00

Personal Image & Professional Development
Saturday 25^th February 9:30 to 11:00

Readers Galore! II
Saturday 25th February 11:30 to 13:00

Short Courses

Develop your Writing Skills
Short Course – 5 modules of two hours each – February 14^th
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 18:00 to 20:00

Develop your Oral Skills
Short course – 5 modules of two hours each – February 13^th
Mondays and Wednesdays from 18:00 to 20:00

Annual Courses

Teaching very young kids
Two Saturdays per month from 9:30 to 13:00
Total length: 4 months
tarting in April

PROFICIENCY
Mondays and Wednesdays from 20:00 to 21:30
Starting in March

Advanced Level Conversation Course
Two Saturdays per month from 10:00 to 12:00
Starting in April

The workshops and courses will be given at our exclusive centre for professional development: Newbridge International
Enrollment is compulsory as vacancies are limited.
For further information about dates, contents and fees please send us an e-mail or phone us for personalized assistance.

TEACHERS TRAINING COLLEGE
OFFICIAL DEGREE IN ELT

If you are planning to start the career to obtain an official degree in our country, we invite you to visit our website where you will find the requirements and subjects of the career in English Language Teaching www.icbritanico.edu.ar .
Enrolment is already open and you can contact the Gral Coordinator Lic. Andrea Kruder or any administrative assistant to ask for further information or clarify any doubt you may have. The students’ office is open from 9 to 12 a.m. and from 16:30 to 20:00 p.m.

Book Reviews

admin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:39:50 +0000

Lic. Claudio Alegre (Written and Oral Language Expression and Methodology teacher at our Teachers Training College) recommends reading …..

… a short story called “An Indian Father’s Plea” by Robert Lake. It is a story about discrimination taking place in a class. At times, teachers are faced with a situation they do not know how to handle that well. It is normal, so do not panic. Instead, open yourself to really accept differences and use them in the classroom. Get ready to develop empathy while reading what happens to the main character of this so moving short story.

Lic. Paula Mior (Methodology Teacher, General Coordinator ISCB, Director of Studies Newbridge) recommends reading…

A novel called Angelas’s Ashes by Frank McCourt.
I thought it was going to be a sad book but it was all the opposite. Though the author writes about his childhood and poverty in Ireland and emigration to America, the story is delightful and powerful. I really enjoyed reading every single line. He has created a masterpiece!

‘Sombre, funny, unnerving, buoyant, Angela’s Ashes is a treat to read and an undoubted feat to have written’ George O’Brien, Irish Times

‘The reader of this stunning memoir can only hope that Mr McCourt will set down the story of his subsequent adventures in America in another book. Angela´s Ashes is so good it deserves a sequel.’ Michiko Kakutani, New York Times

Lic. Juan Carlos Udovin (General Director ISCB) recommends reading…

A Psychological thriller I have just finished reading! It is called THE LITTLE HOUSE by Philippa Gregory.

‘This brilliant psychological thriller…is utterly, nail-nibblingly plausible. You will relish its explosive climax and be gripped through to its final, superb, double-twist finish’ Daily Mail

‘This is Gregory at her most chillingly convincing. Sunday lunch with the in-laws will never be the same’ Cosmopolitan

The Interview Corner

admin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:32:36 +0000

In this issue we have interviewed Lic. Claudio Alegre (Written and Oral Language Expression and Methodology teacher at our Teachers Training College)
These are his answers!!

I became an English teacher because… I did realise this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. One of my sisters took me to my very first English class. At that moment, I had no idea this would be my profession. I was only 16 years old. Some time later, after having got my first job giving lessons to a group of girls, I realised that teaching was what I really wanted to do. So I enrolled at a teachers’ training college and here I am.

Teaching is like… feeling at home. Yes, whenever I am in a classroom or in any teaching place or position, I feel secure. I have the feeling of being in my own territory. I know that I have so many things to give that I do not think of anything else, just my students and what I am teaching. I do love teaching! I guess this is highly important because we are touching people’s lives after all. Responsibility, commitment and fun are key components for those who have opted for this job.

Something (material) I cannot live without is… my mobile phone. It is hard to admit it, but I use my phone for different activities, namely keeping records of birthdays, exams, important dates as well as writing useful numbers, websites, etc. I also use my phone as a sort of alarm clock. Without it, I guess I may be able to live, but my contacts would not have news from me in a long time.

Something not many people know about me is that I have started a course to become a gym instructor. Yes, it is hard to believe it, but I used to be one of those people who would always say, “What is the purpose of going to the gym?” Ironic, isn’t it? Now that I have discovered a response to that question I cannot stop.

One of the best books I have ever read is… called “The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, aged 13 and 1/4.” It is a hilarious story, written in the format of a diary, narrating anecdotes of adults in the eyes of a teen. It is absolutely recommended to those who like appreciating thing from a totally new perspective. Easy reading, touchy and funny! You will love it.

My most recent achievement is… having passed my tests to become a Practitioner In NLP. At first, I could not see myself implementing everything I have learnt, but little by little, I managed to fully take in all the concepts and now I can say that I am able to put it into practice without difficulties. I am a better person and teacher; that is for sure.

One of my next aims is to… make friends with technology. I have always said the same, but it is true: technology is not my friend or, better said, I am not its friend. So I have made up my mind to learn how to make use of it once and for all. In the near future, I would let you know how I am getting along with it.

My favourite quotation is… “You reap what you sow”. I am not sure about the origin of this saying, but it is meaningful to me. It might not be that easy to accept that we are the result of our own daily choices. We have an effect on everything and everything has an effect on us, so next time, pay attention to what you decide to do. Pay attention to your own choices. Choose wisely and get ready to fell calm and ready to face the music if necessary.

Useful Websites

admin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:30:06 +0000

http://www.economist.com/

http://esl.about.com/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/

http://www.nytimes.com/

New workshops and courses

admin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:16:25 +0000

WORKSHOPS

AUGUST

Readers Galore II ! From 9:30 to 11:00
Lic. Claudio Alegre
Honing Integrated Skills from 11:30 to 13:00
Prof. Sandra Mica
Date: Saturday August 20th
Place: Newbridge International
Cost: $60 each workshop – $100 for the two workshops

SEPTEMBER

Conflict Resolution From 9:30 to 11:00
Lic. Juan Carlos Udovin
Teach & Touch your students’ hearts
A workshop on Motivation for teachers and students.
From 11:30 to 13:00
Lic. Paula Mior
Date: Saturday September 3rd
Place: Newbridge International
Cost: $60 per workshop – $100 for the two workshops

SHORT COURSES

Develop you Oral Skills
6 modules
Saturdays from 9:30 to 11:30
Starting Date: 3rd September
Finishing Date: 8th October
Cost of the whole course: $250

Develop your Writing Skills
6 modules
Saturdays from 11:30 to 13:30
Starting Date: 3rd September
Finishing Date: 8th October
Cost of the whole course: $250

(If you do both courses above, you’ll get a 10% discount)

Getting students’ ready for Oral Exams!
2 modules
Saturdays from 14 to 16:30
September 17th & 24th
Cost: $100

Helping students succeed in Written Exams
2 modules
Saturdays from 14 to 16:30
October 7th & 15th
Cost: $100

Teaching Adult Learners
4-month-course
August to November
Two Saturdays a month from 10 to 13:00
Cost: $140 per month