2010 ACTFL Convention in Boston

I attended this convention in Boston two weeks ago. It was awesome to learn more that I can share and use with my students!

Language Instruction Video Conferencing

This is a video of a new friend I met last week at the ACTFL Convention in Boston. Dr. Tim Cook teaching Japanese through videoconferencing. Although, I don't understand much Japanese at all, it is still pretty cool and funny!

Videoconferencing with a Japanese class from Tim Cook on Vimeo.

Dr. Sung and I - Lab Techs

This school year is getting off to a great start. One of the reasons is that I have a new friend, Dr. Backil Sung. He is a medical doctor and a Ph.D. He has joined my other good friend, Dr. Richard Brown, in the Natural Sciences Department.

Dr. Sung has a special interest, and that is helping grow the English Language Institute with students. He is Korean and has many contacts in that country, where there is a great passion for English language study.

This is a photo of us working on the ELI Language Lab, which had been defunct for about 5 years. Once Dr. Sung came around, miraculously, the lab began working again! Hallelujah! Now we are trying to work the bugs out so that this machine can once again help students learn language.

God bless you, Dr. Sung!

Students v. Faculty at La Sierra?

The following videos are very insightful into the dynamic between some students and some faculty members at La Sierra University since their evolution/creation controversy began.

The Last Generation (Preview) from The Last Generation Directors on Vimeo.

Biblical Interpretation; Deleted Scene from The Last Generation Directors on Vimeo.

A Polyglot's Daily Linguistic Routine

This is an inspiration to me. I just wish I had developed the habits this gentleman uses much earlier in life. I do believe in his methods of acquiring languages - multiple and varied! Everyone can learn language is they have the desire and practice daily. It is a lot like music. Enjoy this video!

Second Life in Education

Second Life can be a great tool in Education. Learn more in these videos:






ESL IN SECOND LIFE

Jennifer ESL Teacher at TESOL Boston 2010

Meeting Jennifer today was awesome. Check out her ESL youtube videos here.

This week I have been attending the TESOL Convention in Boston. TESOL is the largest convention for English language teachers in the world. There are hundreds of teachers learning and teaching together.

I will try to include some photos later...

Second Life

We are using Second Life again!

Second Life is a great language learning tool, and if you are patient enough to learn the technology involved (it is not difficult), you will experience great benefits.

If you are using SL already, please let me know how you are enjoying the experience.

My Favorite Poem

by Rudyard Kipling

If

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

Happy New Year!

I hate blogs and websites that are old and stale. I think mine has gotten that way since my last post was October 24, 2009!

Anyway, here is my New Year's greeting on video. I am looking forward to a great 2010, which will include many changes!!! God bless you in 2010...

New Year's Eve 2010


New Year's Day 2010