THE British Council, one of the world’s largest cultural relations organizations, launched a range of new global English teaching and learning services recently. Most of the services are free to users, aiming to create very broad access to high quality English teaching and learning materials through highly interactive Web 2.0 style online services for teachers, learners and parents. All materials on the site have interactive activities and ideas for classroom use. Teachers and parents can combine to help young students learn through the resources.
NY English learners made steep gains
报告显示纽约英语学习者语言水平大幅上升
THE New York City Department of Education released a report showing that unprecedented numbers of English learners became proficient in the language last year. According to the report, about 29 percent of fourth graders struggling with English passed the state language test last year, compared with about four percent in 2003. Among eighth graders, five percent passed, up from about one percent in 2003. Chung-Wha Hong, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, said there were signs of progress in the report. But she also pointed out that older students in particular were not being given the attention they deserved.
Japan uses ‘rakugo’ to help kids learn
“落语”成日本小学新兴英语教学方式
ENGLISH rakugo storytelling is emerging as an effective and entertaining vehicle for helping Japanese children acquire English skills before it becomes a compulsory subject at primary schools, from 2011. Rakugo is a Japanese verbal entertainment and English rakugo was created more than 20 years ago. A growing number of English teachers are hoping that the use of comical facial expressions and gestures in English will help children overcome their shyness and hesitancy to express themselves in English. Teachers say English rakugo can particularly help them get accustomed to English intonation.
