Saturday, 25 January 2020

expressions, idioms and slang

A great website with nice little pieces on everyday language is 'ConvoEnglish':
convoenglish.co/category/expressions-idioms-and-slang

For example:

You can say that again. – Expressions, Idioms, and Slang

"You can say that again."
Meaning: I completely agree
When do we use it?
Simply, we can use this sentence any time that we completely agree with something a person or group says.
Some similar sentences would be:
  • I completely agree.
  • I couldn't agree more.
  • I agree with you 100%.
How do we use it?
This sentence is almost always used on its own. We can use it to agree with good things or bad things. Take a look at these example English conversations.

A) This is the best show on TV.
B) You can say that again.

A) Taxes are too high.
B) You can say that again.

A) English grammar is annoying.
B) You can say that again!

A) We need a better education system for our children.
B) You can say that again.

A) Climate change is the most important issue facing humanity today.
B) You can say that again!

It is important that you know English expressions and idioms if you want to have fluent English conversations with native English speakers or other advanced English speakers. Do not try to learn many expressions and idioms at one time. Instead, study a few of these free English lessons each week and learn English expressions and words well. This will help your English vocabulary improve steadily, and you will start speaking English like a native speaker.

convoenglish.co/expressions-idioms-and-slang-you-can-say-that-again
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Thursday, 9 January 2020

'learning by objectives' vs 'process-based learning' vs 'open-ended learning'

'Learning by objectives' is largely how we go about teaching today:
Jay Doubleyou: behaviourism >>> and learning objectives >>> and the common european framework

Which has rather dark roots:
Jay Doubleyou: taylorism >>> and education

And so not everyone is happy with this approach:
Jay Doubleyou: a critique of learning objectives

It's all about setting targets:
Outcome-based education | wikipedia

There are alternatives:

Process based learning (Collis and Lacey, 1996; Hewett and Nind, 1998; Nind and Hewett, 2001; Hewett, 2006; Imray et al, 2010) is a holistic approach where the process of teaching becomes the objective.
The entire process of learning is taken as a whole, as opposed to teaching to specific individualised targets. Intensive Interaction (Nind and Hewett, 1994) is perhaps the best example of process based learning (and teaching). In this example, it is not the outcome of the task that is important, but the interactive process that drives the task that is the focus – this is termed 'tasklessness'. Process-based learning: Teachers as Facilitators

OPEN-ENDED VS. CLOSED LEARNING SYSTEMS
When a child is engaged in open-ended learning, he or she is not bound by rules or instructions. There is no right or wrong way. There is no set end to a project. On the other hand, a closed learning system has parameters and rules. There are set right and wrong answers.
A set of wood blocks is a good example of open ended learning. Blocks can be played with in a multitude of ways. They might be used for building any type of structure or for symbolizing another object in imaginative play situations. There is no wrong way to play with the blocks.
Puzzles are an example of closed system learning. There is just one way to put together a puzzle. There is a definite right and wrong way. Memorizing multiplication tables is, also, a closed system of learning.
Both open-ended and closed learning are necessary in the education process. However, we need to be able to move beyond memorizing and being able to follow rules and directions – closed learning. We need the benefits of open-ended learning to understand how the world works, make the rules, and find the answers.
OPEN ENDED LEARNING: WHAT, WHY, AND HOW | homeschoolscientist.com

Here are some practical activities:
Open-Endedness | possibilitiesforlearning.com
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