Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Working with ELT Materials - part one



Working with ELT Materials


Part one – finding what’s available

One question that new teachers often ask is how they can find course books. These days, it’s easier than ever to find all the information we need.  It’s just a question of knowing where to start.

Conferences, publishers’ exhibitions and seminars

One of the best ways to be informed about the available publications is to attend a conference which is accompanied by an exhibition. The TESOL Greece (www.tesolgreece.org) annual convention, which is held in March every year, is a great opportunity to meet colleagues, attend professional development talks and also browse the exhibition. Other TESOL Greece events throughout the year are also often accompanied by small exhibitions of the latest books from the publishers that sponsor the events.

Apart from the exhibitions accompanying conferences, there are also larger exhibitions such as the Foreign Languages Forum (www.eltnews.gr/about-the-forum) and the International Publishers Exhibition (www.ip-exhibitions.eu). The talks at these are mainly commercial rather than professional, with publishers’ representatives promoting their new publications. The main focus is the exhibition rather than the talks, and you can browse through the latest publications, join the publishers’ mailing lists, and in some cases request free sample copies. 

Individual publishers often organize their own events to promote their new publications. Once you have joined their mailing lists, you will receive details of these, or you can find them advertised in publications like ELT News (www.eltnews.gr). Similarly, the large examining boards organize seminars to inform teachers about changes to the format of their exams. Exhibitions are also held for their members by EUROPALSO in Attiki (www.europalso.gr) and local PALSO associations throughout Greece (www.palso.gr). 

Specialist and online bookshops

Most bookshops stock some ELT coursebooks, and will be happy to order any title you request, but in order to see a large selection of the available publications, you need to go to a shop specializing in ELT publications, like Floras (www.florasfun.gr). If you already know what books you want, you can simply order them online, but visiting the shop and seeing the books will give you a much clearer idea of the range of what’s available.

Most of the Greek and International ELT publishers also sell their own books through their websites, usually offering discount prices for schools, and you can find books from all publishers to order online at www.books24.gr.

Publishers’ websites and catalogues 

The easiest way to get basic information about the range of publications available is to browse the publishers’ websites. Like the international publishers, Greek publishers of ELT materials generally have coursebooks for all ages and levels. Some of the Greek publishers, like Express (www.expresspublishing.gr) produce a very wide range of materials, while some are more specialized – for example Betsis (www.andrewbetsiselt.gr) mainly produce materials for exam practice.

Most publishers still produce printed catalogues every year, and you can receive these simply by joining their mailing list when you see them at an exhibition or by phoning their offices. Some publish regular periodicals which contain informative articles as well as details of the latest publications – for example News & Views from Hillside Press (www.elthillside.com). Some of the publishers, such as Grivas (www.grivas.gr) produce sample sections of their new books so you can get a good idea of what they’re like without actually seeing the whole book. 

Although it’s less common these days for publishers to send out large numbers of sample copies, if you are an established school most publishers will send you free copies of any books that you intend to adopt.

The market has contracted in recent years, and many of the international publishers are reducing their operations in Greece but even so there are many companies producing excellent course books, and it’s now easier than ever to find information about these. The next step is knowing how to make the right choice from amongst all the available materials, and that’s the topic of our next article.

 © Peter Beech 2013

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Songs with elision of /d/


When a /d/ occurs between two other consonants, the /d/ sound is omitted.


  Handsworth Revolution


Let's Spend the Night Together

 Bored Teenagers


 The Wind Cries Mary



Wild Thing 



Police and Thieves



Stand by Me



Walk on the Wild Side

All these song titles illustrate elision of /d/. How could you use them with your students?

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Immediate vacancy for sub-editor

We have a vacancy for a sub-editor with a leading ELT publisher based in Athens to start as soon as possible. Hours of work are 9 - 5 Monday to Friday. 

Competitive salary depending on qualifications and experience. Furnished accommodation may be provided as part of the remuneration package if required. 

Applicants must have a degree (in any discipline) and speak English as their first language. Experience is preferred but not required.

For details and to apply, email your CV to jobs@anglo-hellenic.com

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Songs with elision of /t/

When a /t/ occurs between two other consonants, the /t/ sound is omitted.


 Lust for Life



 I Don’t Mind



 I Can’t Control Myself  


 Fast Cars 


  Fast Car



 Castles Made of Sand


 Won’t get fooled again 


 Save the Last Dance for Me


  Perfect Day


  Just Friends 


You Sent Me Flying 


 

  Doesn’t Make it Alright


 
 Don’t Believe What You Read


 

  Don’t Bring Harry


 

 Just Like a Woman



 Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band



Can’t Buy Me Love


 

   Please Mr Postman



 Don’t Stop the Music

... and many, many more. All the song titles below also have an elided /t/. 
Can you guess what they are?

   

Language Teaching Materials

Anglo-Hellenic Teacher Training short course in using Language Teaching Materials
http://www.anglo-hellenic.com/training/short-courses.htm

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Songs with intrusive /j/


When a word ending with vowel is followed by a word that starts with vowel, they may be linked together by the sound /j/ (the sound of the letter y).

We Are The Clash



Me & Mr. Jones



Wake Me Up When September Ends



See Emily Play



Cry Me a River



Give Me Everything



Take Me Out



The End


Songs with linking /j/

When a word ending with /j/ (the sound of the letter y) is followed by a word that starts with a vowel, they link together.

Tears Dry on Their Own





Judy is a Punk
 




Body and Soul



 
Should I Stay Or Should I Go?




Crazy in Love