Reflections+of+SALAIN+2011

= __**Reflections on TIER 1 workshop:**__ =

i am participating at the California Foreign Language Project, and i am learning so many instructive techniques on teaching a second language. before this workshop i was still using the old fashioned teaching style, but as i progress in the TIER 1 program i am correcting my self each day and i am trying to carry out the communication-based techniques in my class activities. here is what i have learned from my day 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the project.

__**Day 1:**__
we started with learning about the important acronyms in our profession, such as CLTA, CBI, SLA... I really liked this peace of information, I felt i am no longer illiterate in the teaching vocabulary. then we mooved to an important concept which is the Communication based instructions that helps student to improve his or her ability in interacting successfully and spontaneousley in the targeted language. we also learned about the Backward Design technique. this methode is very beneficial and seccessful for both the teacher and the student. it gives them a clear vision about where they are going to and how they will to reach it. we learned about the WIKISPACE. @http://globalteachinglearning.com/standards/5cs.shtml

**__Day 2:__**
the second day main topic was learning about the 5 steps lesson plan and what are the adequate activities that go along with each step. we also talked about error correction and learned about the different ways to correct an error and how errors can be instructive and help the student learn from them. besides, we discusseed the communication modes: interpersonal mode, interpretive mode and presentational mode. we also created a wikispace so as we can use it as our professional portfolio.

**__ Day 3: __**
in day 3 we focussed on the wikispace and tryed to discover what we can do with the different features it has to help us build up a lesson plan. we learned about the ACTFL Performance Guidelines: comprehensibility, comprehension, language control, vocabulary use, communication strategies. we studied about the communicative modes in detail. in adition to this we went back on the 5 steps lesson plan and we did some activities to strengthen this concept and learn how to impliment each step in our lesson making. apart from this we developed our wikispace and learned to do new things with it.

**__ Day 4: __**
in day 4 we got very busy and active; we did some practice to solidify our knowledge of the 5 steps plan and we got familiarized with the National Standards for Foreign Languages we distinguished between comprehensible input, communicative/independent practice, setting the stage, meaningfulguaded practice and summary activities closure evaluation. we learned when to use appropriately each activity.