MAKING LANGUAGE LEARNING LESS BOT-RING: THE ULTIMATE MEDIATION INSTRUCTOR!

Hi, fellow teachers!

I can't stop moving on through the ever-evolving language teaching journey, can you? I am continuously seeking tools to enhance my students' learning experiences. One such tool that has captured my attention recently is the chatbot. Who hasn't heard about the wonders of @Mizou from @ELT_CATION, @blogdecristina and @EliGozalo? I couldn't resist following suit to uncover the mysteries of integrating bots in the ESL class!

As I was brainstorming ideas for my bot design, inspiration came quickly: What aspect causes the most insecurity among my C1 students? Undoubtedly, it's mediation! They struggle to understand how oral mediation works here in Galicia when it comes to the standardized exam: "Identify the main idea of a small text and highlight the most relevant pieces of information without adding any personal opinion or extra ideas". Challenging, isn't it?

So, I got down to it and started designing a chatbot experience with Mizou that I'm now excited to introduce: The Ultimate Mediation Instructor🥰. It is a new bot specifically designed to help students practice mediation skills, which - as I have mentioned - are a crucial component of standardized language exams in Galicia. Just like the exam teacher here and complying with the Galician standards, the instructor evaluates students' ability to summarize and streamline main ideas effectively, guiding and supporting them throughout the building process.

I have already implemented it in class and also asked my students for feedback on the tool. Students' opinions are key to my teaching job! Here are five compelling advantages they have found out:

• 24/7 Availability: They all agreed that this chatbot is available round the clock, providing them with instant access to mediation practice whenever they needed it so that they could engage with the task at their own pace. How convenient!
• Personalized learning: I tailored the interaction so that each student could choose their own area of interest for the bot to provide the right text to mediate. My students pointed out that this personalized approach fostered greater engagement and motivation. I was thrilled!
• Immediate feedback: According to my students, the most significant advantage of the Ultimate Mediation Instructor is its ability to provide instant feedback on their responses, which not only reinforced learning in real time but also helped them identify and address areas for improvement more efficiently.
• Promotion of Speaking and Writing Skills: Through supportive prompts, the chatbot encouraged my students to practice and refine their speaking and writing skills in a safe environment. This active engagement facilitated language production and fluency development. They were so focused!
• Autonomy Enhancement: My students agreed that they managed to take over their own learning process by exploring mediation independently, experimenting with different language structures, and tracking their progress live and over time!

I will try and continue to enrich language learning experiences in my classroom, embracing the possibilities that #AI offers in fostering meaningful and effective language acquisition. Also, I will keep on considering risks and challenges that need to be overcome! So, stay tuned for updates on this journey!

PROBAS CERTIFICACIÓN 2020

 EXAM TIME WILL HOPEFULLY BE IN SEPTEMBER!

Xa está publicada na páxina web da EOI toda a información relativa ao calendario e desenvolvemento das probas de certificación de nivel básico, intermedio e avanzado que previsiblemente terán lugar na escola durante os meses de setembro e outubro:

• En breve será publicado o calendario das probas, único para todas as EOI de Galicia.

• As quendas definitivas das probas orais serán publicadas, alén de nos taboleiros da Escola, na mesma páxina web da EOI, na categoría do departamento correspondente.

É altamente recomendable que consultedes tamén a guía informativa e as espec de nivel C1 e os modelos de exames que diferentes comunidades autónomas teñen publicado nas súas webs. Botade unha ollada ao mapa, clicade no destino, escollede nivel e idioma e practicade arreo! Podedes traballar con modelos de probas de produción, coprodución e mediación oral, comprensión oral, produción, coprodución e mediación escrita... poderedes traballar sen límites!

Good luck everybody....!! and as I know that my C1 level students are really worried about these exams... don´t forget that "Practice makes perfect"!!

EXAM TIPS: HOW TO OVERCOME STRESS

The exams that are about to start will be an amazing opportunity for students at school to demonstrate their skills and knowledge and prove how hard they have tried throughout the course. On June 5 my C1.2 students will have to come to school at the time the have been called to do their best in the exams and try to pass the C1 Standardized Test. Here are some useful exam tips for them not to get the creeps!

Whatever happens, don´t think about the fear and keep on task!!

PROBAS CERTIFICACIÓN 2019

 EXAM TIME IS JUST ROUND THE CORNER!!

Xa está publicada na páxina web da EOI toda a información relativa ao calendario e desenvolvemento das probas de certificación de nivel básico, intermedio e avanzado que terán lugar na escola durante os meses de xuño e setembro:

• Consultade o calendario de xuño e setembro para as probas, único para todas as EOI de Galicia.

• As quendas definitivas das probas orais serán publicadas, alén de nos taboleiros da Escola, na mesma páxina web da EOI, na categoría do departamento correspondente.

É altamente recomendable que consultedes tamén a guía do candidato de nivel C1 e os modelos de exames que diferentes comunidades autónomas teñen publicado nas súas webs. Botade unha ollada ao mapa, clicade no destino, escollede nivel e idioma e practicade arreo! Podedes traballar con modelos de probas de produción, coprodución e mediación oral, comprensión oral, produción, coprodución e mediación escrita... poderedes traballar sen límites!

Terán que realizar as probas de nivel AVANZADO C1 todolos meus alumnos.....!! Para todos eles, ahí van unhas cantas recomendacións!! Incluíndo algún que outro consello sobre como afrontar unha proba destas características:

Good luck everybody....!! and as I know that my C1 level students are really worried about these exams... don´t forget that "Practice makes perfect"!!

MATRÍCULA LIBRE 2019

PROBAS CERTIFICACIÓN 2018

 EXAM TIME IS ALMOST HERE!!

Xa está publicada na páxina web da EOI toda a información relativa ao calendario e desenvolvemento das probas de certificación de nivel básico, intermedio, avanzado e C1 que terán lugar na escola durante os meses de xuño e setembro. 

Terán que realizar as probas de nivel INTERMEDIO todolos meus alumnos.....!! Para todos eles, ahí van unhas cantas recomendacións!! Incluíndo algún que outro consello sobre como afrontar unha proba destas características:

• Consultade o calendario de xuño e setembro para as probas escritas (comprensión escrita, comprensión oral, expresión escrita), único para todas as EOI de Galicia.

• O calendario para as probas de expresión oral será fixado pola Escola, podendo ter lugar antes ou despois das probas escritas. O calendario xeral definitivo das probas orais será publicado, alén de nos taboleiros da Escola, na mesma páxina web da EOI, na categoría do departamento correspondente.

Por último, é altamente recomendable que consultedes tamén a guía do candidato de nivel Intermedio e os modelos de exames de anos anteriores que proporciona a Xunta de Galicia. 

Good luck everybody....!! and as I know that my intensive intermediate level students are really worried about these exams, I have just prepared a document with links to different language schools in Spain and mock exams to practise. Just copy the links on your navigation bar and enjoy!! 

... And don´t forget that "Practice makes perfect"!!

FILMS: DUBBED OR IN ORIGINAL VERSION

Hi everybody,

my CALC students did an oral exam practice last week. The topic was "Films: Dubbed or in original version".

They did a great job at the lab recording their own voices and sending me their monologues. Here is the result. Judge by yourselves!!

Let us know what you think in the comments section below!

SURVIVING ORAL EXAMS: B1 CERTIFICATION TEST

The oral exam is a wonderful opportunity for you to demonstrate your speaking skills and knowledge. It can also be good practice to communicate. On June 15 you will have to come to school at the time you have been called to do your best in the exam and try to pass the B1 Certification Test. 

Have a look here to know the time of the oral exam and read the tips below to prepare for it:

1. Make a good impression. Dress well and act properly, which includes turning off your mobile! Keep good posture and eye contact with both the examiner and your partner. Make them feel confident and relaxed.

2. Don't be late! Get to school with time to collect yourself and check out the situation.

3. Don´t go to the exam with an empty stomach! Fresh fruit and vegetables can help you reduce anxiety. Take a snack or something light to help keep your mind off of your stress.

4. Read the instructions carefully and balance your time because there is no reward for finishing first. So, stay focused and don´t panic.

Whatever happens, don´t think about the fear and keep on task!!

SAMPLE MONOLOGUE: TRADITIONAL LEARNING VS. IT LEARNING

Hi everybody,

My students are working hard preparing for exams next week. Practising their writing, listening and reading is really important for them.... but how can they practise their oral abilities? We tried in the lab and here is a good example of the resulf of their hard work. I would like you to judge by yourselves. Do you think my student did a good monologue? Can you leave your opinions and comments in the section below? I am sure we will appreciate them because we can all learn from each other to overcome everyday mistakes!

PROBAS CERTIFICACIÓN 2017

Exam time is coming!!!! 

Xa está publicada na páxina web da EOI toda a información relativa ao calendario e desenvolvemento das probas de certificación de nivel básico, intermedio, avanzado e C1 que terán lugar na escola durante os meses de xuño e setembro. 

Terán que realizar as probas de nivel INTERMEDIO todolos meus alumnos.....!! É dicir, os meus alumnos CALC - que se teñen que matricular A PARTIR DO 20 DE MARZO - e os alumnos do curso intermedio intensivo. Para todos eles, ahí van unhas cantas recomendacións!! Incluíndo algún que outro consello sobre como afrontar unha proba destas características:

• Consultade o calendario de xuño para as probas escritas (comprensión escrita, comprensión oral, expresión escrita), único para todas as EOI de Galicia.

• O calendario para as probas de expresión oral será fixado pola Escola, podendo ter lugar antes ou despois das probas escritas. O calendario xeral definitivo das probas orais será publicado, alén de nos taboleiros da Escola, na mesma páxina web da EOI, na categoría do departamento correspondente.

Por último, é altamente recomendable que consultedes tamén a guía do candidato de nivel Intermedio e os modelos de exames de anos anteriores que proporciona a Xunta de Galicia. 

Good luck everybody....!! and as I know that both my CALC and intensive intermediate level students are really worried about these exams, I have just prepared a document with links to different language schools in Spain and mock exams to practise. Just copy the links on your navigation bar and enjoy!! 

... And don´t forget that "Practice makes perfect"!!