Hello everyone

Hello everyone,
I would like to thank Ahlem Marrakchi and Riadh (can't tag him here) for delivering their first teacher training session on 'Materials Writing' in our centre, sharing what they learnt from the course with other teachers. Apart from asking participants to think of an idea of an activity based on an image or authentic article, Ahlem shared samples of her nice materials with everyone at the end of the session.
So, do you have any post-course plans, ideas or projects you're working on ?

Hello

Hello,
I'm very late with this introduction. I was away on a trip for two months and couldn't do it before.
My name is Sanja. I come from Croatia. I've been a teacher for 22 years. I run my own language school in Croatia where I teach children from 2,5-18 years old. I run workshops at the conferences and I would like to learn how to create my own materials.

Where would you like to see yourself 12 months from now, in terms of being a materials writer?

Where would you like to see yourself 12 months from now, in terms of being a materials writer?

One of my purposes is to share with other educators my experience from being in the classroom for 35 years and seeing all the change that our students bring every new year. It's amazing really, that no class has ever been the same!
Also, I wish to write materials that derive from the compound of English language, Psychology and Coaching, diverse materials for the learners of the new generation.
I would like to create materials that are easy even for the busiest teacher to use, materials that are enjoyable for the students, that can help them develop and grow into independent learners.
I love materials that promote critical thinking and teach social skills to students, materials that can make them responsible world citizens aiming to peace and love for everyone.
I would like to create a blog or participate in one with other like-minded people in this group, and together share ideas, projects, views, knowledge and materials in order to develop ourselves, other teachers and our students.
I believe it's about time we found our tribe and created the change we want to see in this world.

When using an authentic audio or video it is important to use only ‘native speakers'.

When using an authentic audio or video it is important to use only ‘native speakers'. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons.

Depending on the level of our students, I would use native speakers with beginners, as they need a basis on which to start building their knowledge and reference of language sounds. Moving to the upper levels they can gradually be exposed to nonnative varieties to get to recognise the language through different accents and come to know the cultural varieties that connect to these differences.

Which Principles of Material Design are most important for you? Why?

Which Principles of Material Design are most important for you? Why?

I teach mostly children and teenagers and from experience I've seen that in order for material to be effective, it's very important for the students to be able to understand the content, to feel comfortable with it and be able to respond and produce results. They can similarly work with enjoyable material and other times with intriguing material, depending on the demands we have on the production of language. They become more emotionally involved when the content touches their interests, opinions, when they can make connections with their lives or when they can visualise different situations. This mostly works with speaking and writing.

Here is my week 4 assignment. It is a word search based on my week 1 assignment.

Here is my week 4 assignment. It is a word search based on my week 1 assignment.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4wwDoYnNVfqSGRSR2lmNTQweFN0bk5VZ1ZGanpzcmdOZVRj/view?usp=sharing

Here is my week 2 assignment.

Here is my week 2 assignment.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4wwDoYnNVfqQWwxTVJjNWJoUXBaclJDXy1xX3FZcnkyWmRF/view?usp=sharing