Category: aprender ingles

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“Da Sala de Aula para a Sala de Reuniões: Navegando em Apresentações de Inglês de Negócios com Confiança”

Descobri a arte do Business English há uns 25 anos quando entendi que as pessoas precisavam usar o inglês no trabalho e não apenas para viagensde passeio e lazer. A necessidade premente de poder fazer uma ligação internacional e escrever um email fazia com que empresas abrissem as portas aos Business English Teachers.

Desde desenvolver a confiança e a calma até a habilidade de listening comprehension quando os alunos faziam conference calls com apenas o audio. Lembram das famosas estrelas no centro das salas de reunião?

Mas as necessidades continuaram a crescer. Não bastava apenas atender uma ligação, ou mandar um email – o executivo precisaria também fazer apresentações em inglês e sem contar com a ajuda de um tradutor-intérprete.

E a necessidade continuou a crescer: às vezes a apresentação não seria apenas para os colegas da mesma empresa mas também em um auditório ou conferência para dezenas ou centenas de pessoas. E como fazer isso numa segunda lingua?

Como apresentar?

Em primeiro lugar, vamos tentar entender o que faz uma apresentação funcionar: Desde o brilho nos olhos até a cadência do seu discurso, cada nuance precisa ser polida como uma pedra de rio.

Mas não paramos por aí. Ah não. Estamos nos preparando para mergulhar de cabeça nas águas turvas da persuasão e fluência em um segundo idioma – neste caso o inglês. Como tecer suas palavras para que as pessoas compreendam sua mensagem em cada sílaba como se fosse a primeira gota de chuva após uma seca?

Mas aqui está o truque, pessoal. O comunicar não é apenas sobre usar palavras certas ou pomposas. Não senhor. É colocar a mão na massa. Praticar. Preparar-se. Precisamos adaptar nossas apresentações para atender a qualquer público, desde os CEOs de alto escalão até o pessoal do chão da fábrica.

Então, se você está querendo elevar a sua apresentação de um sussurro para um rugido, não procure mais. Venha fazer parte do seleto grupo de clientes e alunos no Banco ABC Brasil, Banco Mercedes Benz, Banco Paulista, Bayer AG, GNBLaw, Jorge Mattar Advogados, Itaú Unibanco, Ketchum Estratégia, entre outros que desenvolveram suas habilidades e técnicas de apresentação de forma rápida e prática com sessões personalizadas e voltadas para a sua necessidade.

Happy learning,

Cheers,

Mo

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Top 10 TOEFL Reading Tips

Everybody thinks that the reading part of any test will be the easiest one – the answers are there right in front of your eyes, right? Not that quickly, Roz.

Here are some tips that will make your sailing through your test more smoothly:

Tip # 1: Beware of the modifier – let me simplify it by saying that a modifier is any advective or adverb modifying a noun or a verb respectively. It can be more complex than that, but just pay attention to words like “often” or “only” – which will totally change the way you’d answer that question.

Extreme modifiers: all, always, never, only (in TOEFL most of the material is from academia which avoids extreme modifiers, therefore, if the question contains an extreme modifier – redouble your attention).

Frequency modifiers: usually, sometimes, almost always, rarely, hardly ever

Degree, some, most, almost all.

Time modifiers: hundreds of years, millennium, during, century – for example the 1500s is not the same as the 15th century. ATTENTION!!

Tip# 2 – Remember the question location – paragraph X – focus on the location of the previous question.

Tip # 3 – Identify the question types – is it vocabulary, factual information, inference, etc.?

Tip # 4 – Narrow your focus to keywords both in the text and in the question – for example: in the question: What can be inferred about Columbus based on the information from paragraph 4? What is the keyword?! Excellent!- COLUMBUS.

Tip # 5 – Eliminate choices before you answers – it sounds easy but try to improve your chances of getting it right by eliminate wrong choices.

Tip # 6 – Practice with the same test more than once.

Tip # 7 – Plan your time management – don’t dwell too long on a single question. Every second matters. The reading section is only 35 minutes long and you have 20 questions to answer.

Tip # 8 – Explain your answer – even if you got a right answer because you were lucky try to explain to yourself why you got it wrong:

Did you misread the question or the passage? Or you didn’t understand the vocabulary? Identify the reason why you got it wrong – luck is awesome but you can’t depend on that exclusively.

Tip # 9 – Pick the right time and pace to study – Mornings are a great period but choose the time that is best suited for you and you’re most alert. I prefer the morning but if you’re most alert at 10pm – go for it – but always try to avoid distractions and tiredness can affect your performance.

Tip # 10 – Get professional support from an experienced teacher.

Good luck with your test.

Cheers,

Mo

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A Business English lesson plan on the Business of Carnival

Carnival Economics: Exploring the Vibrant Business Behind Brazil’s Spectacular Celebration

As Brazil gears up for its annual extravaganza of music, dance, and culture, the economic impact of Carnival reveals a complex tapestry of industries, from tourism to entertainment, driving significant revenue and showcasing the nation’s vibrant spirit.

With the pulsating rhythm of samba echoing through the streets and vibrant floats adorned with feathers and sequins, Brazil’s Carnival is more than just a cultural spectacle; it’s big business. As the world’s largest carnival celebration, Brazil’s annual event draws millions of tourists from around the globe, generating a whirlwind of economic activity that extends far beyond the parade route.

**Tourism Boom:**

Carnival season is synonymous with an influx of tourists flocking to Brazil’s major cities, particularly Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, to partake in the festivities. According to recent estimates, the event attracts over 2 million visitors each year, injecting billions of dollars into the local economy. From hotel accommodations to restaurant bookings, the hospitality sector experiences a significant surge in demand, with businesses capitalizing on the opportunity to showcase Brazil’s rich culture and hospitality.

“In 2024, Brazil’s Carnival celebrations are expected to host 200,000 international tourists who are expected to contribute $200 million in revenue to the South American nation, said officials at Embratur, Brazil’s state-owned tourist board.

The annual festival resumed last year after a two-year pandemic shutdown. Embratur and Rio de Janeiro officials have since inked a partnership with the United Nations World Tourism Agency (UNWTO) to create a “Tourism Sustainability Index” to measure “the impacts of Rio Carnival on the city’s production chain over the course of a year,” officials said.

The sustainability index is based on UNWTO’s guidelines for Tourism Sustainability Monitoring and will “serve as a future reference for other tourist cities in Brazil,” said officials, to “contribute to Embratur in generating intelligence.”

“In 2023, Brazil surpassed its pre-pandemic arrivals, with approximately six million international visitors, a three percent increase over 2019 totals and a 62.7 percent increase over the 3.6 million visitors hosted in 2022.

Rio de Janeiro’s international airport hosted a true Brazilian party to commemorate what was called #TurismoQueTransforma (#tourismthatchanges), marking the country’s momentum in the global stage: in 2023, foreign visitors left US$ 6.9 billion in the Brazilian economy. This amount surpasses the year 2014 when, during the World Cup in Brazil, the inflow of foreign exchange was US$ 6.8 billion, and is the highest since 1995.

According to EMBRATUR (Visit Brasil), Brazil’s Carnival 2024 should receive around 200 thousand international tourists and these visitors are expected to leave nearly US$ 200 million in revenue. “

(Source: Travel Pulse – travelpulse.com)

**Entertainment Industry Surge:**

Behind the scenes, the entertainment industry plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the elaborate displays and performances that captivate audiences during Carnival. Samba schools, which serve as the heartbeat of the celebration, invest heavily in costume design, float construction, and choreography, creating an intricate mosaic of color and rhythm. The spectacle not only mesmerizes spectators but also serves as a platform for local artists and musicians to showcase their talent on a global stage.

**Corporate Sponsorship and Branding:**

Corporate sponsorship has become increasingly prevalent in Carnival, with leading brands seizing the opportunity to align themselves with one of Brazil’s most iconic cultural events. From telecommunications giants to beverage companies, sponsors invest millions in advertising and branding initiatives, leveraging the festival’s massive reach to connect with consumers and enhance brand visibility. In return, these partnerships provide crucial funding for Carnival organizers and help offset the considerable costs associated with staging the event.

**Challenges and Opportunities:**

While Brazil’s Carnival presents lucrative opportunities for businesses, it also faces challenges, including security concerns, infrastructure strains, and environmental sustainability. Ensuring the safety of participants and attendees remains a top priority for authorities, particularly in light of recent incidents. Additionally, there is growing recognition of the need to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship, with initiatives underway to minimize the ecological footprint of Carnival through waste reduction and recycling efforts.

With the Covid-19 pandemic reaching peaks in infected people and deaths, the traditional Carnival party was suspended in most Brazilian cities in 2021 and 2022, which had a significant impact on their economies.

According to O Globo, which cites a study by the CNC (National Confederation of Commerce), the suspension of Folia (Festivities) could represent losses of around R$8 billion across the country and could have contributed to the failure of 70,000 jobs to be created.

The estimate is that the city of São Paulo alone recorded losses of R$2.9 billion in economic activity. The State had Carnival canceled and floating holidays suspended on Monday and Tuesday in 2021. (Source: https://istoedinheiro.com.br/sem-carnaval-perdas-do-pais-podem-chegar-a-r-8-bilhoes/ )

**Looking Ahead:**

As Brazil prepares to showcase its cultural heritage on the world stage once again, the business of Carnival continues to evolve, driven by innovation and adaptation. With technology playing an increasingly prominent role in the planning and execution of the event, organizers are exploring new ways to enhance the spectator experience while maintaining the authenticity and tradition that define Carnival. As the countdown to the festivities begins, all eyes are on Brazil, where the spirit of Carnival transcends borders and unites people in celebration.

Reading and Speaking Worksheet: The Business of Carnival in Brazil

**Part 1: Reading Comprehension**

Read the article titled “Carnival Economics: Exploring the Vibrant Business Behind Brazil’s Spectacular Celebration” and answer the following questions:

1. What is the main focus of the article?

2. How does the tourism industry benefit from Brazil’s Carnival?

3. Describe the role of the entertainment industry in Carnival.

4. Why do corporate sponsors invest in Carnival?

5. What are some challenges mentioned in the article regarding the organization of Carnival?

**Part 2: Vocabulary Building**

Match the following words from the article with their meanings:

1. Influx

2. Hospitality

3. Spectacle

4. Pivotal

5. Stewardship

a. A large number of people or things arriving at the same time. 

b. The friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. 

c. The act of taking care of something, such as a resource or property. 

d. A visually striking performance or display. 

e. Of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something.

**Part 3: Speaking Practice**

Discuss the following questions with a partner:

1. Have you ever attended or participated in a cultural festival similar to Brazil’s Carnival? If so, describe your experience.

2. What do you think are the economic benefits of hosting large-scale events like Carnival?

3. How do you think technology could be used to improve the organization and experience of cultural festivals?

4. Do you think it’s important for businesses to invest in cultural events like Carnival? Why or why not?

5. What steps do you think can be taken to address the challenges mentioned in the article regarding the organization of Carnival?

**Part 4: Writing Task**

Write a short paragraph expressing your thoughts on the economic impact of cultural festivals like Carnival. Consider both the benefits and challenges discussed in the article.

**Grammar Exercise in Context for Advanced ESL Students:**

**Part 1: Passive Voice**

Rewrite the following sentences in passive voice:

1. The entertainment industry plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the elaborate displays and performances during Carnival.

2. Corporate sponsors invest millions in advertising and branding initiatives.

3. Authorities ensure the safety of participants and attendees during Carnival.

4. Businesses capitalize on the opportunity to showcase Brazil’s rich culture and hospitality.

5. Local artists and musicians showcase their talent on a global stage during Carnival.

**Part 2: Reported Speech**

Rewrite the following sentences using reported speech:

1. The article states, “Corporate sponsorship has become increasingly prevalent in Carnival.”

2. The organizer said, “We are exploring new ways to enhance the spectator experience.”

3. The artist exclaimed, “I am thrilled to showcase my talent during Carnival!”

4. The official announced, “Safety measures have been implemented to ensure a secure environment.”

5. The spokesperson declared, “Brazil’s Carnival generates billions of dollars in revenue.”

**Part 3: Conditional Sentences**

Complete the following conditional sentences:

1. If Brazil’s Carnival didn’t attract millions of tourists, ____________________________.

2. If authorities hadn’t implemented strict security measures, ____________________________.

3. If businesses didn’t invest in cultural events like Carnival, ____________________________.

4. If technology didn’t play a prominent role in the organization of Carnival, ____________________________.

5. If corporate sponsors hadn’t aligned themselves with Carnival, ____________________________.

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Quem pergunta quer saber: “Eu devo colocar o meu neto de 5 anos em aulas de inglês?” (Maria Luisa)

Bom dia, Maria Luisa, a resposta mais direta que posso lhe dar: Não.

Por quê? Nesta tenra idade eles ainda aprendem absorvendo os sons, as cores, as formas ao seu redor. Exponha o seu netinho a sons em inglês através de canções apropriadas para a sua idade, desenhos em inglês (mas não diga: “Agora vamos assistir esse desenho em inglês“). Deixe o mais natural possível. Leia com ele livros em inglês – com muitas ilustrações e converse com ele naturalmente mesclando o português com o inglês.

A imposição e a obrigação são um grande “mata-tesão” desde os primeiros anos de vida. Deixe a criança descobrir, mergulhar no mundo de descobertas onde as coisas não são em preto ou branco, ou inglês e português apenas.

Viaje na imaginação da criança. Ela se abrirá a novas descobertas.

A capacidade de uma criança aprender uma língua estrangeira é impressionante, e muitos especialistas acreditam que é mais fácil para crianças pequenas adquirirem novos idiomas do que para adultos. Idealmente, a exposição a uma segunda língua pode começar desde tenra idade, como aos 5 anos.

É importante notar que a aprendizagem de uma língua deve ser realizada de maneira lúdica e natural, sem pressão excessiva. Isso pode ser alcançado por meio de jogos, músicas, histórias e interações sociais. A imersão em ambientes onde a língua estrangeira é falada também é benéfica.

Entretanto, cada criança é única, e o ritmo de aprendizado pode variar. Algumas crianças podem mostrar mais interesse e facilidade na aprendizagem de línguas do que outras. O mais crucial é garantir que o processo seja divertido e estimulante para a criança, sem criar uma pressão excessiva.

Concluindo, se você quer expôr o seu netinho à lingua inglesa, tenha você algumas aulas com o Mo Americanoid e desenvolva a sua própria confiança no uso do inglês.

Have fun,

Cheers,

Mo

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The Power of Quizzes and Gamification in Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language

Is there a way to enhance learning?

A friend asked me this morning about online platforms for the elaboration of quizzes or even simple games to use during her presentation in a few weeks. The first that came to mind was Kahoot! https://kahoot.com/ – user-friendly – with lots of templates and suggestions. The downside is that it’s mostly paid now – there were more free resources during the pandemic, for example. And I totally get it in this day and age if we subscribe to everything offered us we will be taken to the paupers’ prison (and I’m only half joking).

Another platform with good free resources is Mentimeter – an interactive presentation and audience engagement tool designed to make meetings, workshops, and presentations more dynamic and participatory. It allows presenters to create interactive presentations, engage audiences in real-time, and gather feedback through various interactive features. https://www.mentimeter.com/app/home

A third platform that I often use is Quizlet: it provides tools for creating, sharing, and studying digital flashcards. The platform offers a variety of study modes, including games and quizzes, to help users learn and reinforce information in a fun and interactive way. Quizlet covers a wide range of subjects, from language learning to science and history, making it a versatile tool for students, educators, and lifelong learners. Users can create their own flashcards or access a vast library of pre-existing flashcard sets, making it a popular choice for studying and test preparation. Additionally, Quizlet offers collaborative features that allow users to study with friends or classmates, fostering a collaborative and engaging learning environment.

In the dynamic landscape of language education, educators are continually seeking innovative ways to engage and motivate students. Two powerful tools that have gained popularity in recent years are quizzes and gamification. These strategies not only make learning enjoyable but also enhance the effectiveness of teaching English as a second or foreign language.

Benefits of Quizzes in Language Learning:

  1. Assessment and Feedback:
    Quizzes serve as effective assessment tools, allowing teachers to gauge students’ comprehension of language concepts. Immediate feedback from quizzes helps learners understand their strengths and areas that require improvement. For example, a grammar quiz on verb tenses can reveal if a student needs additional practice in a specific area.
  2. Retention and Reinforcement:
    Regular quizzes aid in the retention of information. They reinforce vocabulary, grammar rules, and language structures, preventing the forgetting curve. Quick recall quizzes, where students match words to their meanings, can be a fun way to reinforce vocabulary learned in previous lessons.
  3. Individualized Learning Paths:
    Quizzes can be customized to address individual learning needs. Adaptive quizzes, where difficulty adjusts based on performance, ensure that each student is appropriately challenged. This personalized approach caters to the diverse learning styles and paces of students.

Benefits of Gamification in Language Learning:

  1. Increased Motivation:
    I’ve never been a big fan of gaming in the classroom – but times change and we have to review our concepts – Gamification introduces an element of competition and achievement, motivating students to actively participate in the learning process. Points, badges, and leaderboards can turn mundane language exercises into exciting challenges. For instance, a vocabulary race where students earn points for correctly identifying words can transform learning into a friendly competition. Picture this: a grand adventure down the Mississippi, where you and your mates are seeing who can navigate the river best. Points, badges, and leaderboards make learning a bit like a friendly competition. It’s like seeing who can paddle the fastest – only instead, you’re racing through language challenges.
  2. Immersive Learning Experience:
    Gamification creates a more immersive learning environment. Role-playing games, simulations, and virtual scenarios allow students to apply language skills in real-life contexts. For example, an English mystery game where students solve language-related puzzles and clues can enhance problem-solving skills while reinforcing language concepts.
  3. Collaboration and Social Interaction:
    Many language learning games promote collaboration and social interaction. Team-based games encourage students to communicate and solve problems together. An example could be a collaborative storytelling game where each student contributes a sentence, creating a cohesive narrative while practicing sentence structure and vocabulary.

Combining Quizzes and Gamification:

The synergy of quizzes and gamification amplifies their individual benefits. Interactive quizzes within game environments create a seamless learning experience. For instance, an English trivia game could include quizzes on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, with correct answers advancing players through levels.

Incorporating quizzes and gamification into the teaching of English as a second or foreign language offers a myriad of benefits. From personalized assessment to increased motivation, these strategies transform language learning into an engaging and effective journey. As educators, we can continue to embrace innovative approaches, the marriage of quizzes and gamification stands out as a winning combination in fostering language proficiency and a love for learning.

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The Business of Halloween in ELT

In the United States it has been a “haunted” business for decades – with the need for children to wear costumes, neighborhoods decorating their homes, and tonnes of candy.

The need to accessorize seems to have no boundaries. This year, retailers were selling a US$ 425 chainsaw prop (Halloween Friday 13th style), different scents like gasoline (for fake arsonists, I hope), rotten decay (at US$ 10 a pop) for wannabe zombies, etc.

“Halloween is a scary good business. In 2023, the National Retail Federation’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics reported total Halloween spending is expected to reach $12.2 billion. The previous record was $10.6 billion in 2022 in the US of A alone.“

If some 20 years ago, Halloween was little known in Brazil and seen as an American quaint celebration, alien to the Brazilian culture, in 2023 the trade association in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, forecasts a growth between 12% and 15% in the sale of costumes and accessories for Halloween., with customers spending an average of up to US$ 20, with nearly 70% of Brazilians saying they’d celebrate it in some way or another.

I remember I used to teach about Halloween years ago to my students both young and old and most of them had no idea besides “trick or treat”. We would work some vocabulary related to the holiday in addition to some of its history. We would always end the class with some pumpkin based candy as seen below. That was part of my strategy to bring to the students’ context some culture background and information, and merge a typical Brazilian candy like those pumpkin hearts and an American festivity.

Language schools also started highlighting the “fun” of Halloween with special decorations and costume parties.

Brazilian franchises of language schools such as CNA and Wizard were early and natural adopters of the business of Halloween

Over the past 10 years the number of so-called “bilingual” schools has increased significantly, (mostly English/Portuguese), and according to the Brazilian Association of Bilingual Education (Associação Brasileira do Ensino Bilíngue (ABEBI), there are more than 1,200 bilingual schools in Brazil, a 10% hike in just five years. And those private institutions will also add Halloween celebrations to their academic year calendar.

But now Halloween is more detached from the English learning segment with more people – both children and adults – celebrating it as a kind of macabre carnival – you may wear costumes and eat candy – what’s wrong with that?

Halloween precedes All Hallows Day and the Day of the Dead (November 01 and 02, respectively), but in Brazil, contrary to Mexico, for instance – they have never been big on celebrations of food-related items . Traditionally those 2 holidays were connected with religious displays and respectful (even somber) visits to cemeteries where family members would traditionally take flowers to the graves of their loved ones. Now that tradition is dying out with the flower business having shrunk significantly and Halloween growing in popularity.

Nowadays, even petshops have turned Halloween into a lucrative business – here’s Dickens with a Casper the friendly ghost head decal and a baby Frankenstein monster bandana.

This essay doesn’t aim to praise or deride Halloween – though I believe (now more than in the past, that it glamorizes death, fear, witchcraft and zombies) which is never a positive combination in my humble opinion.

But my focus was to shed some light on a celebration traditionally connected with language learning approaches and now overflowing to the society as a whole.

Happy Halloween if you dare.

Cheers,

Mo

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Brainstorming with ChatGPT

How can I develop a project for Instagram for language classes?

To develop a language lessons Instagram project, you can follow these steps:

Define your objectives: Before you begin, determine what you want to achieve with your project. For example, if you want to offer English classes, decide what level of students you want to serve. What will you offer? English and Spanish classes – for advanced levels / single or double classes, corporate clients / teacher training / student profile ?

What will differentiate you from the market? How can I compete with price or corporate platforms and maintain visibility? Conquer new customers?

Competing with established platforms or corporations, especially on social media like Instagram, can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Here are some strategies to help you inform, maintain visibility, and attract new customers for your English lessons:

  1. Niche Differentiation: Find a specific niche or unique selling proposition (USP) that sets you apart from the competition. It could be a teaching method, specialized content, or a focus on a particular aspect of English learning that resonates with your target audience.
  2. Personal Branding: Develop a strong personal brand that showcases your expertise, personality, and teaching style. People are more likely to connect with a real person rather than a faceless corporation.
  3. Quality Content: Create high-quality and valuable content related to English learning. This could include blog posts, videos, infographics, and tips that demonstrate your expertise and provide value to your audience. 1-Minute English Tips with Mo the Americanoid , posts with tips to improve reading, speaking, comprehension, listening, etc.
  4. Engagement and Interaction: Regularly engage with your audience through comments, direct messages, and replies. Building a community around your brand can help create a sense of belonging and loyalty.
  5. Consistent Posting: Maintain a consistent posting schedule on platforms like Instagram. Consistency helps keep your audience engaged and aware of your presence.
  6. Visual Appeal: Use visually appealing content. On platforms like Instagram, aesthetics matter. Use high-quality images, creative designs, and visually engaging videos to capture attention.
  7. User-Generated Content: Encourage your current students to share their progress or experiences with your English lessons. User-generated content can build trust and authenticity.
  8. Free Resources: Offer free resources such as ebooks, downloadable worksheets, or mini-lessons. This not only provides value but also establishes you as an authority in your field.
  9. Collaborations and Partnerships: Collaborate with other educators, influencers, or complementary businesses. This can help you tap into new audiences and gain credibility through association.
  10. Client Testimonials and Success Stories: Showcase your students’ success stories and testimonials. Positive feedback from satisfied clients can be a powerful tool to attract new customers.
  11. Limited-Time Offers and Discounts: Create a sense of urgency with limited-time offers or discounts. This can encourage potential customers to take action sooner.
  12. Targeted Advertising: Consider using targeted advertising on platforms like Instagram to reach a specific audience that is more likely to be interested in your English lessons.
  13. Engage with Trends: Stay updated on current trends and hashtags related to education and language learning. Participate in relevant conversations to increase your visibility.
  14. Networking and Workshops: Attend or host workshops, webinars, or events related to language learning. Networking and providing value to your community can boost your credibility.
  15. Feedback and Improvement: Listen to feedback from your students and continuously work on improving your teaching methods and content.

Remember to always maintain consistency and produce quality content to attract and keep your followers. By following these steps, you can develop a successful Instagram language lesson project. Regularity of posts – daily – maybe too much… but set a plan and carry on.

Cheers,

Mo

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The New TOEFL iBT 2023/2024

Last week a new prospective student contacted me because he needs to take the TOEFL exam in order to apply for a Master’s Program at a local university in Brazil – in Brazil, I said – where he will most likely only have to read in English and maybe (I said maybe) write in that language. In other words, he needs English only for Academic purposes.

But, the University still requires the candidate to invest US$ 220 for the test plus a reasonable amount in R$ to prepare for it if he wants to get a good score.

Remember TOEFL does not have a failing score – but if it’s too low you may not qualify to the program you’re applying for.

Moreover, TOEFL scores are valid for only two years after the test date. After they expire, you won’t be able to access them online or send them to schools. “The TOEFL score validity period is fairly short to ensure schools have accurate and current information about your English skills”, or so they say. As if after two years your brain will have turned into mush and your language skills have vanished. If that were so, applying to a university would be the least of your concerns. But I digress.

So… what is the new and improved TOEFL 2023/2024?

It’s still divided into 4 skills:

Input: Reading and Listening

Output: Speaking and Reading

How are they divided?

  1. Reading – it consists of two sections with 10 questions each (by the way, the sample texts are usually about asteroids, or dinosaurs, or ancient civilizations in Mexico – fascinating stuff). Tip: Read National Geographic Magazines to build up your vocabulary.
  2. Listening – it contains five sections – three are academic sections (six questions each) usually a college lecture. Tip: Check YouTube for TED Talks or Yale or Harvard University lectures – the more obscure the subjects the better. Two sections present campus-like conversations – a student talking to a professor, or librarian or a classmate, for example.
  3. Speaking – contains four integrated tasks – (a short article about student life and an audio track of a lecture or a conversation, for example). You will be asked whether you agree or disagree with a given point – but for this activity forget expressions such as “on the one hand, on the other hand” – take a side and stick to it. Tip: read in a loud voice the letters section of a newspaper and magazine. Pay attention to the different ways to present an opinion regarding a subject. It’s awkward. But it does help.
  4. Writing – you will have two tasks – one will be the Integrated Writing Task with an article or text and an audio recording. You will be asked to answer a question about what you’ve just read or heard. The second task is new: The Independent Writing task has been replaced with a new task: Writing for an Academic Discussion. Tip: as you read out loud the letters section, start writing your own versions to the same issues.

No matter the skill you’re testing, there are three goals you must remember:

  1. Answer the question well
  2. Plan your starting sentence – use phrases such as: I think; I believe; I feel; Personally speaking; To be honest; I’ve never thought about this before, but …; In my opinion,; you see…; According to the listening/reading/text/dialogue… .
  3. Take a side and stick to it.

Remember, it’s just a language assessment test, they don’t care about your intelligent answers or opinions. Just make sure to understand the task and answer it.

May you be successful in your endeavors,

Cheers,

Mo

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Language and AI – what should be done to ensure learners and teachers benefit

A few months ago I watched a talk presented by Rose Luckin on Language and AI recorded back in 2019 where Ms Luckin (1) presented an interesting article published in the New Scientist magazine in April 2019: “AI Achieves its best ever mark on a set of English exam questions”.

The article started by saying that “the results are in. An artificial intelligence has gone to the top of its class after passing an English exam. Though it can’t beat more able human students, it achieved the best mark yet for a machine.”(2)

Nothing new there. Computers have long been able to analyze huge volumes of data, track info, and implement learning algorithms.

But AI isn’t just using data. It is also reasoning in complex situations. “Data is crude, but it must be refined so we can use it”, Luckin added.

In these days of super duper AI hype we must remember that HI (Human Intelligence) is superior to AI – AI will not compete with us but do better in things we suck while we have the capacity to analyze, compare, choose beyond a series of algorithms.

“AI has its own advantages, such as processing speed, data analysis capabilities, and the ability to handle large-scale computations. It can augment human intelligence and assist in various tasks, but it currently lacks the holistic and multi-faceted nature of human intelligence.” And ChatGPT has just told me that.

What are the implications of AI for Education?

Teachers of English as a Foreign or Second Language must learn how to use AI to tackle major education challenges the need of repetition, for example, while developing speech recognition, and helping learners use AI for self-study.

We have to internalize the fact that DATA IS THE NEW OIL – our minds will go on developing together – AI-HI.

As teachers we must learn first and also educate people about AI.

What’s the worst that can happen from using AI in the learning process? We must encourage people to use it rather than fear it.

Remember that machine learning is very smart but it doesn’t explain how it reached a decision. HI has a ginormous advantage over AI – we have to harness our EI (Emotional Intelligence) and our meta-contextual intelligence.

What can we take away from this AI -HI collaboration?

AI can enhance learning and teaching, tackle educational challenges, which is way more than just exam taking. Humans and machines partnering up will be the solution to many of the ills that torment us today.

(1) Cambridge University Press – Rose Luckin – Language and AI: What should be done now to ensure learners and teachers benefit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mQOoFWdMbM&t=1868s

(2) Ye, Yvaine, New Scientist, 02 April 2019 – https://www.newscientist.com/article/2198333-ai-achieves-its-best-ever-mark-on-a-set-of-english-exam-questions/

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WHEN COMMUNICATION BREAKS DOWN

Picture this: You speak and the listener perfectly gets what you’re saying, replies and you perfectly get the response. Ideal, isn’t it? But unfortunately that’s not what happens in real life communication. Communication involves the transfer of information between a sender and a recipient, simple enough, right? But it can be influenced by one’s emotions, culture, education, age, communication medium, and even your location. Two people can interpret the identical message in pretty different ways depending on their personal influences.

Jokes are a great example of risk of miscommunication, especially when they involve irony or sarcasm – what’s funny to someone might be offensive to another. A text message which was meant by the sender to be friendly and explain a point is received as pushy and aggressive.

Even with my wife – and we’ve been married for 28 years – last week she asked me a favor to sit for her at a church board meeting and I said that I couldn’t do that because I was already representing 2 other departments and she has 2 associate directors that could represent her. She took it as I was not willing to help her at all and I had been rude in my response.

But all is forgiven by now, at least I hope.

With students this problem can arise as well – especially when a student is more passive and expects you to open their heads up with marvelous, mind-boggling information that will turn them into gloriously bright students – all of that in a 60 minute class – once a week.

Of course that expectation is frustrated and one student told me today: “I don’t know what happened, I used to like studying – now I don’t feel like studying English.” Honestly, she hasn’t been much dedicated since the very first class – she never understands what she is supposed to do and never asks me to explain again – so I have had to repeat the very same lesson three times because every time she would misplace her lesson, or forget the vocabulary seen before or say she didn’t know what to do. I understand as we age our memory tends to get less elastic but you need to take charge of your learning process.

I told her, “Ok, apparently you don’t like any of the topics I’ve been presenting to you. Think of language points you would like to cover or subjects you would like to discuss in class and I’ll prepare a lesson for you… that’s one of the benefits of having a private tutor”. What did she say? “I don’t have a crystal ball to know that I could suggested a topic” (despite the fact it’s been clearly stated in the agreement she signed before the very first class or so I thought).

It comes to show that although I’m widely considered to be a good communicator I still have room to improve. My takeaway from this student.

Be direct and clear

Encourage student to express their thoughts, feelings and needs in an honest way.

Accept other people’s limitations and respect them.

Do NOT be hostile or aggressive.

Always keep a smile even when feeling like growling or scowling.

There’s always room for improvement.

Happy teachings,

Cheers,

Mo