FSU TEFL 120 Fall, 2023

 Ryan Flemming (2nd visit): I attended Ryan Flemming's class on effective communication. This session stood out as it was focused on a grammar exercise that not only sharpened linguistic skills but also created a positive and engaging atmosphere which showed the dual purpose of the exercises. The students were visibly engaged, actively participating and, more importantly, smiling when they got things right. I could tell that the interactive nature of the exercise was very helpful from the energy in the room. Flemming also weaved current events and local community in the discussion, inviting his students to attend the woman's soccer game and also doing a map activity where students used directional vocabulary to familiarize themselves with FSU's campus.     Olivia James Visit: I went into Olivia James' advanced listening class with students who were considerably more fluent. The atmosphere seemed much more at ease because of the student's assumed familiarity with t...

Date/Time: November 17, 2023 Location: Student Union Topic/Skill: Listening - Reduced form Feedback provided to the tutee: I did a listening activity with my tutee to practice comprehension of fast speech, mumbles, and reduced forms. I also had her pay attention to word stress. For feedback, my tutee struggled listening to some parts but did well overall.

Date/Time: November 17, 2023 Location: Student Union Topic/Skill: Listening Feedback provided to the tutee: I started the lesson with some vocabulary relating to the song for the listening activity. We practiced using them in a sentence and then heard the song to fill out a worksheet. It was slightly challenging but not too much. 

Date/Time: November 3, 2023 Location: Student Union Topic/Skill: Narrative Speaking Feedback provided to the tutee: I did the narrative activity with my tutee using a silent film. For feedback, I said that there were 1 or 2 mistakes relating to verb tense but pronunciation, speech rate, and vocabulary were very good. The activity provided an opportunity to learn new vocabulary or find alternatives that fit a situation better.

Date/Time: November 3, 2023 Location: Student Union Topic/Skill: Scenario - Speaking Feedback provided to the tutee: In the beginning, I opened up a conversation about food, like traditional food, preferences, etc. Then I taught a couple of things like greetings, present simple tense, and the auxiliary "would." We also focused on some vocabulary relating to food before ending with a role-play play of ordering some food at Starbucks.

Date/Time: October 27, 2023 Location: Student Union Topic/Skill: Diagnostic Feedback provided to the tutee: I had some knowledge but I was tutoring my previous tutee's wife for the first time. I had some questions and conversation topics and a diagnostic prepared to know her level better and assess her strengths and weaknesses. 

 This session took place on 12/1/23 with Youngjune.  In our most recent and final language tutoring session, Youngjune and I engaged in a thought-provoking conversation that touched upon recent events, political figures, and linguistic nuances. The passing of Henry Kissinger prompted reflections on his controversial legacy and the impact of key political figures in both America and South Korea. It was a good discussion that helped to familiarize him with American culture. Our discussion extended to political vocabulary, exploring the term "diplomat" and dissecting its connotations. We delved into the suffixes "archy" and "ocracy," discussing how they shape words like "oligarchy" and "meritocracy." This exploration offered insights into the structures and systems prevalent in political and social spheres. The concept of realpolitik emerged as a focal point, with discussions revolving around its meaning and application in political strate...

This session took place on 11/28/23 with Youngjune.  During our recent language tutoring session, Youngjune and I embarked on a diverse and engaging exploration that spanned the realms of language, culture, and the digital landscape, notably delving into the expansive world of Minecraft. Our discussions unfolded organically, seamlessly transitioning between various topics to provide a well-rounded linguistic experience. In the Minecraft realm, we navigated through different modes, unraveling the distinct challenges and creative opportunities presented by creative, survival, and adventure modes. This virtual exploration not only tapped into gaming terminology but also provided a unique avenue for language enrichment. Our linguistic journey continued with a focus on expanding Youngjune's vocabulary. Words such as "subscription," "cog/gear," "totem," "cypress," and "bark" took center stage, prompting discussions about their meanings an...

 This session took place with Youngjune on 11/17/23.   To broaden Youngjune's vocabulary understanding in English, we initiated a vocabulary exchange activity, drawing from his knowledge of other languages. This endeavor aimed to explore the connections and divergences in vocabulary, fostering a cross-cultural appreciation for linguistic nuances. Our exploration extended to historical linguistics, tracing the evolution of languages over time and examining the impact of historical events and cultural shifts on linguistic changes. This segment provided valuable insights into the dynamic nature of language and its intricate connections to cultural contexts. Injecting an element of playfulness, we engaged in interactive language games designed to reinforce vocabulary, grammar rules, and quick thinking. This approach not only added an enjoyable dimension to the session but also served as an effective tool for reinforcing key language concepts. Exploring current events became a gate...

 This session took place with Youngjune on 11/14/23.   In our recent language tutoring sessions, Youngjune and I explored a spectrum of linguistic nuances and cultural references, deepening our understanding of language and storytelling. Under the umbrella of linguistic intricacies, our first focus involved dissecting selected words - "endurance," "amplify," "portal," and "derivative." This exercise prompted discussions on perseverance, magnification, transitions, and contextual derivations. We transitioned into a discussion on the word "wringing," exploring its literal and metaphorical applications. This led us to the role of grant writers for foundations, delving into the crucial work they perform in securing funding for various initiatives. Additionally, the phrase "milkman's child" served as a point of curiosity, prompting a deeper exploration of its origins and potential symbolic meanings. In our cultural exploration ...

 This session took place with Youngjune on 11/9/23 In our recent sessions, we delved into the subject of narrative perspectives, specifically exploring the distinctions between first and third-person storytelling. Building on this foundation, we did some creative writing, focusing on a spectrum of styles. From stark and minimalist prose to lush and descriptive narratives, I used Wonderbook by Jeff Vandermeer to show the differences between some of these sentences. Engaging in character perspective switching, Youngjune navigated the challenge of maintaining consistency in narrative voice while exploring different characters' viewpoints. A collaborative storytelling session took us a step further, where we fused stark and lush writing styles in alternating paragraphs, resulting in a unique and rich narrative experience. We talked about his ideas for a story based on scientific concepts he was able to explain to me. Our session extended to continued literary analysis of Dune, where we...

 This lesson took place with Youngjune on 11/7/23     During this session with Youngjune, our focus on tailored language tutoring has yielded notable progress. The collaborative effort to expand our Quizlet continues, with Youngjune actively contributing to the collection, showcasing an increasing sense of ownership over his learning journey. Our dictocomp exercises have evolved to encompass a broader range, incorporating diverse accents and speech speeds in contemporary speeches. This nuanced approach aims to better prepare Youngjune for real-world language encounters, refining his listening and comprehension skills. The exploration of "Dune" by Frank Herbert remains a captivating literary endeavor. We've gone page to page and concentrated on dismantling language barriers posed by invented words and foreign-sounding terms, resulting in visible improvements in Youngjune's reading skills. In recent sessions, we delved into the names of planets in "Dune," unpa...