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School of Continuing Education

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Browsing School of Continuing Education by Author "McLean, Terence"

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    3 approaches to managing online interactions
    (2021) McLean, Terence
    Since the move to more online teaching, I have noticed a few areas in which I can help students manage their interactions during online lessons. The following observations are subjective, as they reflect my own teaching style, use of technology, classroom management philosophy, and individual student behavior; nevertheless, I hope that a point or two resonate with fellow instructors. I have separated my tips into three sections: technology, participation, and pragmatic awareness.
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    Answer the question: a research project
    (2020) McLean, Terence; Talandis Jr., Jerry
    As you probably know from experience, many Japanese students have trouble answering questions during English class. Why is that? According to Harumi (2011), the roots of this phenomenon lie in a complex mixture of linguistic, psychological, and socio-cultural factors. There is, in fact, quite a large culture gap in how silence is interpreted. For example, from a Japanese view point, the silent response from the student above could be seen as a means to save face, avoid difficulty, or request help. On the other hand, from a "western" perspective, the silence may come off as a sign of disinterest, boredom, or laziness. This phenomenon makes it very difficult for teachers to facilitate active learning (Harumi, 2001) and presents a risk of misunderstanding during cross-cultural encounters (King, 2005), both in Japan and while traveling or studying abroad. As a result, silence in the EFL classroom is widely acknowledged as a serious problem (King, 2013; Humphries, Akamatsu, Tanaka, & Burns, in press). It is therefore essential we help our students promptly respond to questions, whether they know the answer or not.
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    From sentences to paragraphs: tenses, time clauses, and model writing
    (2022) McLean, Terence
    Teaching grammar structures can be done effectively utilizing sample sentences that show how to use the target forms; however, some students struggle when asked to put sentences together in a paragraph. This activity offers a straightforward way to ease students through the process going from sentences to paragraphs with an emphasis on simple past, past time clauses, and future time clauses.
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    Games of lies: grill the teacher
    (2020) McLean, Terence
    This game gives students the opportunity to listen to claims by the teacher, “liar extraordinaire,” and to use question forms to determine which statements are true and which are lies. Some students may have difficulty with question forms; therefore, the opportunity to do so in a fun way can help them to develop the skills necessary to "grill" and catch the teacher in a lie. Furthermore, more proficient students can learn about pragmatic awareness and competence related to asking personal questions.
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    Giving students a fighting chance: pragmatics in the language classroom
    (2004) McLean, Terence
    In order to give language learners a fighting chance outside the classroom, teachers must provide them with consciousness-raising opportunities for developing pragmatic awareness. By attending to pragmatic factors in second-language (L2) situations, students will be better able to make informed choices in negotiating effective communication. This article examines the potential use of the pragmatic discourse completion task (DCT) as a springboard for discussion in the L2 classroom. A description of a DCT used in a study involving advanced L2 learners at the University of Alberta (Ranta, 2002) is provided. The author also provides suggestions for developing students' pragmatic awareness.
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    The good teacher, the metaphorical tickle trunk, and the survival of the fitter
    (2018) McLean, Terence
    While being a good teacher is not getting any easier, pinpointing what good teaching or a good teacher is poses a bit of a conundrum. Of course, well-constructed syllabi, solid subject material, and interesting activities are essential, but what about the teacher? There's the rub. Without the good teacher, the best laid plans can go awry. Good teaching requires a little more; and this, along with the technical side of instruction, is what we need to develop. Survival in any profession requires effort, and good teachers know it. This paper offers the author's opinions as well as a look at literature on post-secondary educators and students' perceptions of good teaching.
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    Online breakout rooms: jigsaw discussions and presentation practice
    (2021) McLean, Terence
    As a result of the switch to virtual and blended learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many language teachers around the world are working to establish welcoming, communicative, online language learning environments. Most of us have experienced the unwelcome silence associated with trying to get all students involved in an online session. Yes, some students thrive online, but others tend to hesitate, sit back and listen, or tune out completely. Even though we are teaching online, we can still give students a gentle virtual push—and breakout rooms, if your online platform has this function, are an excellent tool for increasing student talk time during virtual instruction. This activity, a jigsaw that uses breakout rooms, can be used as stand-alone speaking practice or as preparation for a future speaking assignment in which students give an online presentation for the whole class.
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    Pragmatics, blasphemy, and a bloody moose
    (2017) McLean, Terence
    Last week I saw a moose in my long johns. Have you ever endeavored to teach about dastardly dangling modifiers? I did so with this ripping yarn about my wild encounter with a moose while trekking in the wilderness of the Canadian Rockies.
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    Question practice: the personal-assistant mock job interview
    (2024) McLean, Terence
    This activity is one way for students to practice forming questions in English as they engage in a fun, communicative task: The Personal-Assistant Mock Job Interview. It should follow lessons on asking and answering questions in English as well as using modals and expressions of ability (can, able to, etc.). Students will have learned about forming yes/no and Wh- questions. Especially, students should be introduced to how Wh- questions are formed, depending on what information they are looking for (the subject or the object): Q: Why do you want this job? (looking for the object—the reason), Q: Who can work evenings? (looking for the subject—the person), Q: When are you available to start working? (be verb following the Wh- question word).
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    Quick tip: sentence variety and zombies
    (2017) McLean, Terence
    As an English as an additional language (EAL) instructor, I am charged with the daunting task of teaching university program–bound international students how to write using a variety of the fabulous four English language sentence types: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. Some students go the choppy route and use too many simple sentences, while others try a little too hard and think that the more complex the better, which does not always get the point or argument across.
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    Remote teaching, a brave new world, and an amber restorative
    (2021) McLean, Terence
    Now, I certainly do not want to sound glib in these troublesome times, but Lord love a duck. Thanks, COVID-19. Right after eschewing my inner Luddite while scrambling to remotely teach my English as an Additional Language (EAL) 2020 winter term courses, I found myself fretting as I made the foray into more remote teaching in the spring/summer/fall terms. If I may borrow from the sentiments of the inimitable PG Wodehouse: if not completely disgruntled, I was certainly far from gruntled.
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    The rubber chicken: a fowl debate
    (2006) McLean, Terence
    This is a task-based activity that provides students with the opportunity to use culture (Canadian) and situation (law court) specific language while they practice reading, discussing, presenting, and debating. Before having the students tackle this activity, the teacher is assumed to have already taught basic skimming, scanning, presenting, and debating skills. Optional activities can include taking time to focus on form (timely focus on relevant grammar structures) and review vocabulary. This activity could also be adapted to fit in with Japanese sporting culture—see note below the story for a sumo example.
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    Sentence variety and zombies: handout
    (2017) McLean, Terence
    Examples are provided for sentence types: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. It accompanies the article "Quick Tip: Sentence Variety and Zombies."
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    The stonemason's son
    (2001) McLean, Terence
    Entry in the 11th annual ANA Wingspan (official in-flight magazine of All Nippon Airways) fiction contest: short stories in English with a theme related to Japan, its culture, people or society.
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    World Englishes in the ESL context, eh
    (2005) McLean, Terence
    Sure, we speak English, but just whose English do we speak? If Singapore and India can have their own hybrids of so-called World Englishes, how about my father? Can Russell from Glace Bay be the spokesperson for Cape Breton English? As an ESL instructor in Canada, should I teach my students more than standard Canadian English? Better yet, should I acknowledge that my many of advanced-level students already speak one kind of English--a World English? The world is changing - my job is changing - again.
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    A world Englishes mini-unit for teachers to use in the EFL context
    (2004) McLean, Terence
    Although awareness of the importance of recognizing World Englishes is increasing throughout EFL literature, there remains a need to ensure that this trend is indeed reflected in course curricula, materials development, and pedagogy. The purpose of this paper is to present a practical suggestion for implementing a World Englishes mini-unit into the EFL classroom in Japan. Students should be encouraged to consider themselves within the concept of WE-ness as Japanese speakers of English--giving them a sense of identification with a personalized variety of English. If we can instill a deeper sense of confidence in young learners of EFL, then perhaps they will be better able to actively communicate in a foreign language that, until now, they have probably believed to be a thing owned by others. English is something we speak; it is not something they own.
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    Young ESL newcomers need a chance to adjust
    (2004) McLean, Terence
    The first day of school must be made as smooth as possible in order for children to feel both at ease and safe. While the major objective of ESL programs is to prepare students for smooth transition into mainstream classrooms, the immediate objective regarding the welcoming of ESL newcomers is social. Educators have the responsibility of providing a supportive environment that will aid in the establishment of a stress-free transition to school life for young English as a Second Language (ESL) newcomers. They must be given a chance to adjust.