ASIA AM D2 NEWSLETTER 2016

www.ef.com/teacher

EF EDUCATION FIRST EST. 1965 / ISSUE 1: 2016

INSPIRE www.ef.com/teacher

P.2

P.3

Make the world your classroom

P.4

Expand your teaching skill set

Test your students for free

SPEAK TO THE WORLD EF Challenge is back and ready to inspire students through the power of speech.

Do you believe nothing is impossible?

This is the question EF Challenge is posing to students with winners of the speech competition enjoying a once in a lifetime trip to the EF Youth Leadership Forum in Rio de Janeiro.

Students from around the world have already started uploading powerful 2-5 minute speeches to YouTube – and your class can be next! Check out what last year’s winners said about their experience at www.ef.com/ EFChallengeWinners Unlock their potential EF Challenge transforms students into confident public speakers, which is a vital skill for academic advancement

and future career progression.

IMPORTANT DATES

The competition aims to unlock the potential of students while showcasing the importance of public speaking.

March 15: Registration deadline

Throughout the process, you’ll see your students take pride in their work as they find creative and innovative ways to deliver a clear, powerful message.

April 15: National winner announced

The prizes are not just limited to an unforgettable trip to Rio as selected participants will also win a trip for you and your class to the UK or Singapore.

What’s more, teachers who enter a speech can win a place on an EF Teacher Training Course in Cambridge, UK, or Boston, USA.

April 1: Speech submission deadline

April 30: Global winners announced August 2016: Winners attend the EF Youth Leadership Forum

Set your students on the path to Rio de Janeiro by visiting www.ef.com/efchallenge

MEET PAST WINNERS Kien Duy Tran, Vietnam Student EF Challenge 2015 winner Won a place at EF’s Youth Leadership Forum in New York

Melanie Lorenzo, France English language teacher EF Challenge 2015 winner Won a Teacher Training Course (TTC) in Boston

“This has been a truly life-changing experience where I learned more things than I ever imagined! EF helped me have one of the best experiences of my life, and I believe future participants of EF Challenge will enjoy it as much as I did. This is your chance to inspire the world!”

“What a great adventure this was for both the students and me! EF Challenge was a fantastic opportunity to create a new link with my students while helping them with their spoken English.

The theme of last year’s competition was the perfect link with our school’s

annual project, which focused on how students can open the world.

For one month, 24 students from my school prepared their speeches on how languages open the world. They worked on their listening, rehearsal and writing skills and even studied the body language of President Obama!

with teachers from around the world; this made me aware of new techniques and methods that I have since implemented in my lessons.”

Find out more about EF’s Teacher Training Course on page 3.

The great prizes were definitely a driving force for us and I loved my experience in Boston on a Teacher Training Course.

My week in America was full of lessons

International Language Centers

www.ef.com/teacher

PAGE 2

GO GLOBAL THIS SUMMER Make the world your classroom with EF’s group travel options. You’ll get to explore destinations where the language is spoken natively, meaning your class will hone their language skills in real-world interactions.

SUMMER SCHOOL TRAVEL Explore Europe’s most famed cities, experience authentic British or Irish life, tour North or Central America or soak up the sun in Malta: this is the summer to transform how your students’ learn a language.

Not only are students guaranteed to make language progression with our innovative learning method, but you will also get to share best practices with EF teachers and native speakers, meaning your students’ language development will last long into the future.

Immersing your students in an international learning environment gives you the opportunity to put your lessons into practice.

EF organize the complete experience Visas, flights, tickets, airport transfers and weekend trips are all arranged by our experienced

MY EF CAREER: LESSONS IN INNOVATION EF’s Director of Academics for Language Travel, David Bish, began his career as a school teacher in London, but it was only when he joined EF that he discovered the buzz of teaching English as a foreign language.

My first job with EF was as a part-time EF Englishtown discussion teacher where I ran classes attended by students from different countries in an online classroom. Back then, in 2001, EF were already way ahead of what many other schools are only trying to do now with technology.

After a few years as a London school teacher, university lecturer and teacher trainer, I came back to EF to train teachers. I would send newly trained teachers to our English language schools in Russia, Indonesia and China.

I love working with teachers, so when we opened our school in Manchester, UK, I was delighted to become Director of Studies. Here, I managed a great team of twenty teachers. With my passion for innovation, it was a great time to be in a school as EF brought together the benefits of online learning with classroom-based lessons in blended learning, again ahead of the curve.

My early experiences as a school teacher coupled with seeing how students respond to the use of technology inspired my own involvement in helping EF take the next step into iPad learning. In the very same year iPads came out, we started using them at EF. Our research became the EF classroom iPad app, used by all of our International Language Schools today. This tool brings together teacher and students in a live, connected lesson.

Here, the teacher can push content and activities straight into students’ hands to enrich the class with something more vibrant than any eBook.

The ideas-rich environment at EF has encouraged me to study for my Doctorate in Education at the University of Exeter, which I hope to finish in 2016 before the summer season in my new role as Director of Academics at EF Language Travel.

Although Language Travel is EF’s oldest division, it’s one of the most energetic and vibrant

teams I have worked with so far.

I continue to contribute with fresh innovations of including the first in a new series of task-based EFELT tests for juniors and our exciting new GO! course with LEGO® Education.

It’s been 15 years since I started my career with EF, and I am looking forward to many more years of learning, teaching and innovating in a company where Education really does come First.

members of staff so you will only need to focus on how to make the most of your time abroad!

EF will provide teachers and students with an unforgettable experience.

You will also receive expert advice when planning the perfect trip. From dream destinations to the length of stay and type of course, EF will customize the tour to achieve your specific language and cultural goals.

With over 50 years experience in language learning and cultural travel, you can be sure that

www.ef.com/grouptravel

Start the adventure today by calling us at 0123456789

www.ef.com/teacher

PAGE 3

EXPAND YOUR SKILL SET WITH EF WEBINARS Transform your lessons with EF’s free online Teacher Development Certificate.

The EF Teacher Development Certificate is a free online teacher training program that provides educators with new, inspiring ideas to ensure lessons remain fun for both teachers and students.

Each webinar is designed to reinvent how you view language lessons with innovative techniques and teaching methods discussed with the group.

Over the past two years, more than 2000 educators have gained their EF Teacher Development Certificate, which enhances your teaching credentials in a series of interactive classes.

Webinars are conducted by esteemed members of EF Education First’s international academic team including EF School Directors from the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. With years of experience in advancing teaching methods, their engaging sessions provide a unique insight into modern day language learning.

The online course enables educators to refine their teaching skills while learning the latest educational approaches that can be used to inspire academic success for students – no matter where in the world they are.

What’s more, educators establish new professional connections while exchanging tips with language teachers from over 50 countries.

Start your journey today Take the next step in your professional development by signing up to EF’s Teacher Development Certificate, which runs from March 2016 to May 2016. Registration is open to teachers from across the globe.

Innovative techniques Webinars range from language learning methods, digital media in the classroom, international best practices and global immersion benefits for teachers.

Steps to success 1- Register 2- Attend six webinars 3- Correctly answer one question after each session www.ef.com/teacherdevelopment

VIEWS FROM THE PROGRAM Having so many nationalities represented in the sessions means we can all share our best practices and learn about teaching in other cultures. The topics in the program are very useful, practical and modern. Plus, the interactive, engaging sessions are taught by EF staff from all around the globe with different experiences and backgrounds, so we have a well-rounded and varied program.”

PAST PARTICIPANTS: “It was my first webinar, and I’m happy to have learned about English teaching techniques that will engage my students’ attention. Thank you!”

FRANCISCO FUENTES, CHILE EMMA TUDOR, DIRECTOR OF EF ACADEMIC MANAGEMENT, NORTH AMERICA: “I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of EF’s Teacher Development Certificate Program. It’s a great opportunity to connect with language teachers from all over the world.

“I really appreciate your introduction of the communication-orientated view of teaching, which will be effectively applied to my own lessons.”

DUNG NGUYEN, VIETNAM

EF Teacher Training Course

“Thank you for such an informative webinar!

I picked up several great ideas that will help me improve the variety and results of classroom activities.“ NADEZHDA KOSTINA, RUSSIA “The session was interesting as we reinforced skills we may have lost during our day-to-day work. The most important centered on how students learn and how we as teachers have to exploit the resource available to ensure students learn a new language.”

PETRA GUTIÉRREZ, MEXICO “The instructor did a very good job in explaining the differences between curriculum, syllabus, scheme of work and lesson plans.

I also learned the importance of maximising the amount of information I give to students.”

GRISEL SMITH, PANAMA

Cambridge - Fabulously British

Boston - America’s academic capital

For over 30 years, EF has offered Teacher Training Courses (TTC) for language teachers from around the world.

The course ensures your classroom methods stay up-to-date by introducing you to new concepts that provide practical help in everyday teaching.

You’ll also compare teaching styles from a variety of countries, and contrast the wide range of approaches found throughout your profession.

What’s more, TTCs allow you to connect with an international mix of colleagues while also refreshing and refining basic skills.

Take your pick from courses in Cambridge, UK, or Boston, USA, and learn from experienced EF teachers.

Start today at www.ef.com/Ttc

The world’s academic elite has called Cambridge home for centuries – and it’s easy to see why as the city is a charming blend of traditional and contemporary, cutting-edge and classical.

EF’s 17-acre campus lets you experience traditional academic life in America’s leading educational city. You’ll get to advance your teaching technique in a city home to some of the world’s greatest minds.

www.ef.com/teacher

PAGE 4

TEST YOUR STUDENTS FOR FREE Discovering your students’ official language level enables you to tailor your teaching methods to match their requirements – and with EF, you can do this for free.

EF applies sophisticated research and development techniques to create free standardized English tests for all levels of learners.

Choose from 20-minute tests to comprehensive assessments that are equivalent to other language proficiency exams such as Cambridge English, TOEFL and IELTS.

20-minute test for students aged 8-14 This new, short online test helps you to easily identify the language level of your students.

After just 20 minutes, you will receive the official results of their language fluency. It’s that simple!

60-minute test for students aged 15-19 EF Standard English Test (EFSET) evaluates grammar, vocabulary, reading and listening skills in just 60 minutes. To create the test, we assembled industry experts in language assessment, large scale testing and psychometrics.

www.ef.com/JuniorTest

www.ef.com/Epis

OTHER EF RESOURCES FOR ACADEMICS EF’s Academic Team has created various materials that can be used by educators around the world. www.ef.com/teacher

PROFICIENCY BANDS Very High High Moderate Low Very Low

THE EF ENGLISH PROFICIENCY INDEX The EF EPI is the world’s largest ranking of English skills. It compares the average English language ability of adults in over 70 countries by collating unique data from five million people who have taken the free test. Through the EF EPI, we aim to provide educators with a new perspective on what strategies are most successful in raising levels of English proficiency around the world. What’s more, you can become part of EF EPI’s groundbreaking research with customized English tests for students and educators.

Contact us

Our English proficiency test for students offers participants a valuable insight into their current language level, as well as giving them the chance to see how their level compares to other participants in their country and from around the world. www.ef.com/Epi

TEACHING MATERIALS

TEACHER ON THE ROAD

WORKSHOPS

We share your commitment to continuously improve the way your students learn English.

That’s why we offer free resources for English language educators, such as classroom materials, engaging lesson plans developed by our worldclass educational research team and unlimited access to our innovative online testing tools. www.ef.com/TeacherZone

Add an extra element of excitement to your curriculum by inviting an EF Teacher on the Road to your classroom. Each Teacher on the Road is carefully chosen for their in-depth knowledge of their native culture and language expertise – as well as being well versed at sharing their love of travel.

Bring your class to life with a member of EF staff who gives talks on everything from travelling abroad and advice on living in another country to finding your dream university and how to write the perfect CV. You can also arrange to have an EF member of staff conduct a lecture at your school.

www.ef.com/Totr

www.ef.com/TeacherZone

EF Education First Zurich, Bärengasse 25, 8000 Zurich / Tel. 00351 9631 9531 4 / email@info.com / www.ef.com