ELT Week Argentina 2026 - Day 1

Name: ELT Week Argentina 2026 - Day 1
Uploaded: 2026-02-16T23:09:25.000Z
Duration: 3 h 48 min 41 s
Description: ELT Week Argentina is a week of professional development designed for English teachers across the country. The aim is to strengthen teaching practice through talks, courses, and hands-on sessions that address real challenges in the classroom and within the Argentine education system.

Welcome to ELT Week 2026

Introduction and Housekeeping

Good afternoon and welcome to participants from Argentina and around the world for ELT Week 2026, a series of webinars by the British Council aimed at professional development for English language teachers.

Marila Masujama, head of English and school education programs at the British Council in Argentina, introduces herself as the host for the event.

The session is being broadcasted on the British Council Argentina YouTube channel, with additional participation from Facebook communities.

Emphasis on safeguarding: Participants are encouraged to maintain respectful communication and avoid sharing personal information in chat.

Attendees who participate throughout the week will receive a certificate of attendance; accuracy in name spelling is crucial for certification.

Introduction of Speaker

Marila introduces Parapow, a teacher and ELT content creator associated with the British Council, known for her Instagram account @teachersofenglish.

Parapow will discuss strategies to start a new school year confidently despite limited resources or unreliable technology.

Practical Strategies for Teachers

Engaging Activities

Parapow expresses excitement about sharing practical ideas that require little or no preparation as teachers gear up for a new school year.

She engages participants by asking if they have ever had to adapt lessons last minute due to tech issues or lack of resources, fostering an interactive environment.

Importance of Adaptability

Acknowledges common challenges faced by teachers when lacking resources; reassures them they are not alone in these experiences.

Encourages sharing adaptations made during lessons in chat so that collective ideas can be developed throughout the session.

Activity: What Do I Expect?

Setting Expectations

Introduces an activity called "What do I expect?" designed for students' first day back at school or when starting a new unit.

Students reflect on their expectations regarding learning outcomes, class participation, and resource needs. This includes what they want from their teacher and materials used.

How to Effectively Use ChatGPT in Learning

Setting Expectations for Learning

The speaker discusses the importance of setting clear expectations when using tools like ChatGPT for learning, questioning whether students expect it to do their homework or act as a tutor.

Students are encouraged to think about specific topics, such as travel and holidays, and identify what vocabulary they wish to learn and how they plan to practice speaking fluently about past experiences.

Actionable Goals for Language Learning

The speaker prompts students on memorization strategies, emphasizing that effective learning requires consistent review rather than cramming before exams.

Encouragement is given for students to actively use new vocabulary in class discussions instead of remaining silent, fostering a more engaging learning environment.

Overcoming Challenges in Language Acquisition

The discussion highlights the fear of making mistakes in front of peers and encourages students to share ideas despite this fear.

Students are urged to develop concrete plans for studying vocabulary after each class, stressing the need for actionable steps rather than vague intentions.

Collaborative Planning with Teachers

The speaker emphasizes the importance of communication between students and teachers regarding expectations for corrections and examples during lessons.

It is noted that if students have specific needs (like needing more examples), they must communicate these so teachers can adjust their teaching methods accordingly.

Adapting Materials and Activities

Students are encouraged to consider alternative materials if traditional resources (like textbooks) do not meet their needs; suggestions include using media from popular culture.

Strategies are discussed for dealing with fast-paced listening activities, including pre-teaching vocabulary or providing transcripts.

Integrating AI Tools into Learning Plans

The role of AI tools like ChatGPT is highlighted; students should incorporate them into their study routines effectively by planning specific times for practice.

Examples are provided on how students can utilize ChatGPT for conversation practice or improving writing skills by seeking feedback on naturalness in expression.

By structuring learning around clear expectations, actionable goals, collaborative planning with teachers, adapting materials creatively, and integrating AI tools thoughtfully, learners can enhance their educational experience significantly.

Planning Engaging Activities for Students

Importance of Collaborative Planning

The activity discussed aims to enhance student engagement by collaboratively planning the year in English, making it a valuable first lesson.

This approach transitions from setting expectations to intentions and actions, fostering active participation among students.

Creative Review Techniques

Activity number two focuses on reviewing content through sharing, which can include summarizing notes or creating presentations.

Various creative outputs are encouraged, such as infographics, videos, audios, summaries, stories, poems, or drawings based on topics of interest.

Involving Others in Learning

The discussion emphasizes involving individuals outside the classroom (e.g., parents or friends), enhancing the learning experience for students.

A simple example is provided where a student writes a letter to a grandparent about an English project they worked on.

Real-Life Application of Skills

Students gain motivation by communicating in English with people beyond their teachers; this real-world application makes learning more relevant.

An example from last year's class illustrates how students engaged deeply with art-related topics and utilized AI to create texts that incorporated vocabulary learned throughout the year.

Sharing Work Publicly

Students were tasked with writing open letters expressing their thoughts on art and technology; one student shared her letter online and received responses.

This interaction demonstrated the impact of sharing work publicly and highlighted how students could engage with broader audiences while practicing their language skills.

Open Letter Project in Education

Engaging Students Through Open Letters

A student wrote an open letter, but there was no audience to share it with. The teacher decided to share it with other teachers so their students could respond, fostering a sense of community and engagement.

Emphasizes the importance of finding alternative audiences for student work, such as other teachers or groups, which can motivate students by showing that their writing is valued beyond just the teacher's eyes.

Class Instagrams: A Creative Approach to Literature

The teacher introduced "Class Instagrams" while studying Shakespeare's Twelfth Night with 13-year-olds, aiming to make complex language more relatable through social media.

Students analyzed the play's context and characters in class before creating Instagram accounts for specific characters as a homework project, blending literature with modern technology.

Structured Social Media Engagement

Organization was key; the teacher provided charts and required students to share their Instagram accounts for oversight. This ensured that posts were appropriate and aligned with educational goals.

Students created content about their chosen character’s perspective on events in the play, enhancing comprehension through creative expression.

Connecting Literature to Modern Culture

Students shared visuals and reasons behind their posts, demonstrating critical thinking about character traits and motivations within the narrative framework of Twelfth Night.

They made connections between the play and contemporary music or culture (e.g., One Direction’s song “Olivia”), showcasing how classic literature resonates with current interests.

Space Retrieval Techniques in Learning

Innovative Review Methods

The teacher sought non-traditional methods for reviewing vocabulary and concepts without formal testing. Space retrieval was introduced as a way to revisit learned material organically during spare moments in class.

Teaching Vocabulary Through Student Engagement

Utilizing Student-Created Questions

The teacher encourages students to create questions using vocabulary from lessons, reviewing them together to ensure understanding.

These questions serve as a quick check for comprehension and can be used during various moments in class, such as warm-ups or brain breaks.

The activity is versatile; it can function as an exit ticket, a way to gauge understanding before new lessons, or even a game format with teams competing for points.

Students actively participate by generating and answering their own questions, fostering engagement and ownership of their learning process.

This method allows for continuous review throughout the year, reinforcing previously learned material.

The Teacher's Notebook: A Reflection Tool

The teacher emphasizes the importance of keeping a notebook to document effective and ineffective teaching strategies throughout the year.

Teachers are encouraged to jot down ideas shared by peers on social media or during discussions that could enhance their teaching practices.

Writing down experiences helps clarify what worked well in class and what did not, making it easier to identify areas for improvement.

Recording both successful activities and those that fell flat provides valuable insights into teaching methods over time.

By documenting these reflections, teachers can develop a comprehensive list of strategies that they can revisit for future classes.

Creative Reflection in Teaching

The Importance of Reflecting on Past Experiences

Teachers often revisit their past projects and ideas, realizing the value of reflection in enhancing creativity and planning future activities.

Many teachers underestimate their creativity; taking a moment to jot down experiences can reveal effective strategies and successful games they have created.

Problem-solving instances, such as adapting lessons due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., power cuts), should be documented for future reference.

Building a Repository of Ideas

Keeping a record of both successful and unsuccessful attempts allows teachers to develop a stash of ideas that can be utilized when planning new lessons or addressing challenges.

The session concludes with an emphasis on practicality, encouraging educators to implement these reflective practices in their teaching.

Adapting Creative Activities for Different Age Groups

Tailoring Activities for Younger Students

Creativity does not always require grand projects; simple reflections or discussions with students about their expectations can foster engagement.

Questions arise regarding how to adapt creative activities for primary or elementary students, especially those involving advanced content like Shakespeare.

Practical Adaptations for Elementary Learners

Activities such as sharing short phrases related to stories read in class can be adapted for younger students without compromising safety or comprehension.

Engaging students by having them write questions that can later be discussed fosters interaction and understanding while allowing teachers to assess clarity.

Challenges with Preschool Education

Addressing Vocabulary Acquisition in Young Learners

Teaching vocabulary to preschoolers presents unique challenges since they may not yet possess writing skills; alternative methods must be employed.

Utilizing games, chants, repetition, flashcards, and drawings are effective strategies for introducing new vocabulary at this developmental stage.

How to Effectively Use a Teacher's Notebook

The Importance of Adaptability in Teaching Activities

The speaker emphasizes the value of modifying activities for students, suggesting that small changes can lead to entirely new and effective teaching methods worth documenting.

Reflective Practice Through Journaling

A discussion arises about using notebooks for reflective practice; the speaker prefers quick notes over extensive journaling due to time constraints.

The speaker keeps a notebook handy for jotting down practical insights, focusing on what worked or didn’t work rather than detailed reflections.

Organizing Ideas and Thoughts

Lucia suggests adding a third column in the notebook for random thoughts that don’t fit into existing categories, allowing teachers to revisit these ideas later.

The speaker agrees with this approach, highlighting how it can help capture fleeting inspirations that may not have immediate applications.

Preparing for a New Academic Year

The importance of preparation is discussed; the speaker gathers ideas from other teachers familiar with their students' preferences before starting the year.

They enter the classroom with multiple activity options ready, acknowledging that flexibility is crucial as student dynamics can vary greatly each year.

Engaging Young Learners

Various strategies are shared for teaching vocabulary to preschool children, including games, songs, and physical response activities (TPR).

A question arises regarding strategies for non-English speaking students; the speaker advocates providing sentence stems and useful language tools at the start of lessons.

Supporting Beginners in Language Learning

The speaker stresses giving beginners essential phrases they can use immediately in class discussions without needing extensive vocabulary knowledge.

Emphasizing practical language use, they suggest keeping useful expressions accessible so students can refer back during conversations or pair work activities.

Simple formulaic expressions are recommended as foundational tools for communication among beginner learners during interactive activities.

Effective Strategies for Student Engagement

Importance of Preparation Time

Students often need time to recall words and organize their thoughts before speaking. Providing a model or example can help clarify expectations.

Allowing students one minute to prepare their answers fosters confidence. They can write down, rehearse, and share their responses with classmates before presenting.

Interaction Patterns in Learning

Discusses the significance of interaction patterns such as closed pair work, which allows students to practice without audience pressure before moving to open pairs.

Introduces various scaffolding techniques like "think-pair-share" and teacher-led pronunciation practice that support beginner learners effectively.

Utilizing Technology in Education

The speaker mentions using AI tools like ChatGPT and Kahoot for interactive learning experiences. They emphasize experimenting with different technologies to find what works best.

Teachmatic is highlighted as another useful AI platform for lesson planning and creating activities based on multimedia resources.

Challenges with Educational Tools

Teachers face overwhelming choices due to the constant emergence of new educational tools. It's crucial to select a few effective ones rather than trying everything available.

The speaker shares personal experiences of bookmarking numerous tools but rarely using them due to time constraints.

AI in Writing Assessment

A question arises about using AI for assessing student writing automatically. The speaker prefers human involvement in reading student work, emphasizing the importance of personal feedback.

While acknowledging the potential benefits of AI during the writing process, they stress that teachers should remain engaged in evaluating student submissions.

Enhancing Writing Skills with AI

The discussion includes how students can use AI as a writing companion by asking specific questions about improving their work rather than relying solely on it for grading.

Encouraging students to understand how to interact with AI tools helps them refine their writing skills while maintaining teacher oversight in the evaluation process.

Ethical Considerations in Using AI for Student Work

Importance of Ethical Guidelines

The discussion emphasizes the need for ethical considerations when inputting student work into AI systems, highlighting the moral implications of using students' original content.

It is crucial to be aware of guidelines surrounding AI usage to ensure that students' contributions are respected and not misappropriated.

Practical Teaching Resources and Engagement

Finding Teaching Ideas

Pad shares her Instagram handle, @teachersofenglish, where she posts practical teaching ideas aimed at enhancing classroom experiences.

Recent posts include ready-made resources for English teaching, particularly useful for educators preparing for a new school year.

Collaboration with British Council

Pad often collaborates with the British Council to share valuable resources and insights, encouraging followers to engage with these materials.

Session Transition and Participation Details

Survey and Certificate Information

Attendees on Facebook are reminded to complete a survey to confirm their participation in today's talk, which is necessary for receiving a certificate.

Upcoming Sessions

A brief intermission is announced before transitioning into the next session scheduled to start shortly.

Introduction of Marle Alejandra Marico

Background and Expertise

Marle Alejandra Marico introduces herself as an experienced educator with master's degrees in applied linguistics and bilingual education.

With 28 years of teaching experience across various levels in Argentina, she currently teaches in North Carolina focusing on lesson design and teacher professional growth.

Bridging Lessons: Building Minds Through Content

Concept Introduction

Marle begins by addressing common challenges teachers face when lessons feel disconnected or superficial regarding language use.

Bridging Lessons Explained

The concept of "bridging lessons" involves using English as a tool for meaningful learning rather than merely memorizing language.

Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)

Understanding CLIL

CLIL is defined as more than just teaching subjects like science or history in English; it requires ensuring students genuinely understand the material being taught.

Key Elements of Effective Learning

The four C's—content, communication, cognition, and culture—are essential components that should be integrated into classroom practices to enhance learning outcomes.

Understanding Content and Language Integration

Key Elements of Communication and Learning

The discussion begins with the importance of understanding real knowledge, concepts, and skills in education. Communication is defined as the language students need to engage with content effectively.

The four essential elements for effective learning are identified: Content, Communication, Cognition, and Culture (CL). These must be intentionally connected; if one is missing, CL becomes incomplete.

Curriculum Design in CL

Effective curriculum design starts with selecting authentic content that reflects real topics rather than simplified or artificial ones.

Educators should prioritize key concepts that students need to understand since covering everything is impractical. Progression should move from concrete experiences to abstract ideas.

Alignment of all components related to the curriculum is crucial for student readiness in producing work that integrates cognition and culture.

Types of Language in Learning

Clear learning extends beyond vocabulary; it encompasses three types of language:

Language of Learning: Understanding necessary for subject application.

Language for Learning: Used by students to explain and justify their thoughts.

Language through Learning: Emerges naturally during tasks.

Activating Student Engagement

The model involves three steps: Activate, Build, Reflect. Activation sparks curiosity using questions or images to connect prior knowledge.

During activation, educators can use tools like word banks or sentence starters on boards to support language development while reflecting on learning outcomes through quick checks like exit tickets.

Cognitive Scaffolding Techniques

Various activities such as observation and classification help develop cognitive skills. Visual aids like charts enhance memory retention by connecting new information with previous knowledge.

Scaffolding is emphasized not as making tasks easier but as facilitating possible learning experiences. Different types include language scaffolding which supports comprehension throughout the educational process.

How to Effectively Scaffold Language Learning in the Classroom

Importance of Language Scaffolding

Effective language scaffolding involves using tools like sentence frames, word banks, and models to support students' learning.

Providing clear examples and tasks tailored to students' language proficiency levels is crucial for their understanding.

Visual aids such as charts and diagrams should be utilized to gradually support students as they transition from concrete to abstract language concepts.

Integrating Content with Language Learning

Content Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) emphasizes teaching English through other subjects, leveraging prior knowledge from students’ native languages.

The four essential skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—must be integrated into lessons linked with relevant content areas like geography or history.

Role of the Teacher in Facilitating Learning

Teachers act as facilitators and mediators of learning by connecting language instruction with content knowledge in subjects like natural sciences or history.

Clear objectives must align both content and language goals; for instance, using historical facts to teach grammatical structures like the simple past tense.

Guiding Academic Discourse

Teachers should guide students in articulating what they've learned across various subjects using English, fostering academic discourse.

Adjustments may be necessary based on student performance; scaffolding techniques such as anchor charts can aid comprehension.

Practical Application of Teaching Strategies

A practical metric can help organize topics for the school year by aligning science or history content with corresponding language skills.

Engaging activities such as hands-on experiences (e.g., observing plant growth) allow students to apply vocabulary in context while utilizing tenses appropriately.

Activating Student Engagement

Activation strategies are vital; providing visuals alongside interactive activities helps maintain student interest and enhances learning retention.

Activities that involve movement encourage engagement; matching pictures with words fosters active participation among learners.

Utilizing Translanguaging Techniques

Translanguaging allows mixing languages during instruction, which supports primary school students who may have limited vocabulary in English but can express ideas using their native language.

Reflection and Assessment

Incorporating reflection time at the end of lessons enables students to articulate their learning outcomes through various methods such as drawing or writing.

Teaching Strategies in Natural Sciences

Utilizing Prior Knowledge

Students can leverage their previous learning experiences with teachers to enhance understanding in natural sciences, making the learning process more meaningful and memorable.

Creating Anchor Charts

Anchor charts are collaborative tools that can be built with students throughout a unit, serving as visual aids for vocabulary and sentence structures that students can refer back to during lessons.

Engaging Projects: Seeds for Life

The "Seeds for Life" project involved hands-on activities where students learned about germination and plant anatomy by drawing daily observations of seed growth, fostering engagement through practical application.

Activities included reading, matching images, and using connectors like "first," "then," and "next" to articulate their learning process. This culminated in community involvement by planting trees at the school garden.

Language Development Through Learning

The project emphasized three types of language use:

Language of Learning: Vocabulary acquisition.

Language for Learning: Speaking about processes.

Language through Learning: Correct usage of language structures.

Teacher's Role in Student Engagement

Teachers play a crucial role by providing examples, structures, and necessary vocabulary to support student learning throughout projects.

Progression from Basic to Academic Language

Transitioning Language Skills

Over time, students progressed from using simple vocabulary to employing academic language effectively within content areas. This transition requires sustained effort over an extended period rather than being achieved in a single lesson.

Interactive Lessons on Senses

Sensory Exploration Activities

A lesson on different senses involved interactive activities where students identified objects while blindfolded (e.g., bananas, garlic), highlighting the importance of sensory perception in understanding the world around them.

Curriculum Design for Secondary Education

Structuring Lessons Around Key Concepts

In secondary education settings, lessons were structured around significant themes such as government powers. Initial steps included introducing relevant vocabulary followed by language frames leading into academic discussions.

Use of Technology in Teaching

The app Book Creator was utilized to create personalized books related to topics like the United States government. This approach engaged students by allowing them to highlight essential vocabulary and create their own texts based on learned concepts.

Experiments and Comprehension Activities

Hands-On Science Experiments

Students participated in experiments related to light spectrum studies using water glasses. They documented observations which reinforced comprehension skills alongside scientific inquiry methods.

Comparative Studies in Social Studies

Discussions comparing past civilizations with present-day contexts were facilitated through various activities aimed at enhancing understanding of historical timelines and societal evolution.

Integration of Content and Language Learning

Collaborative Teaching Approaches

The speaker discusses integrating vocabulary building and sentence framing with art, collaborating with history, art, and language teachers to create meaningful learning experiences for students.

A focus on historical events is highlighted, where students engage in an activation stage by marking significant occurrences on a map, enhancing their understanding through visual representation.

The learning process is structured into four stages: pre-task, visual input, guided output using sentence frames, and scaffolding to gradually increase complexity in tasks.

Student Engagement Through Creative Methods

Students are encouraged to express their understanding creatively by drawing or cutting out images related to the lesson content, fostering deeper engagement with the material.

The importance of integrating content (history), cognition (understanding), communication (language use), and culture is emphasized as essential for effective teaching.

Teacher Collaboration for Enhanced Learning

Teachers discuss the positive impact of collaborative lessons across subjects like geography or music alongside English instruction, highlighting shared planning time as crucial for successful integration.

Challenges faced by English teachers due to limited collaboration time are acknowledged; however, early-year discussions among teachers can lead to fruitful idea sharing that benefits all subjects involved.

Practical Applications in Diverse Subjects

Examples from various subjects illustrate how English can be integrated into different curricula; this includes translating poems or comparing vocabulary between languages to aid comprehension.

Teachers share experiences of working together across disciplines such as science and social studies to enhance student learning through interdisciplinary approaches.

Addressing Broader Educational Themes

The need for applying integrated approaches in contemporary education topics like sexuality education and environmental issues within English lessons is discussed as a way to make learning relevant.

Suggestions from participants include addressing mental health topics through CL (Content Language Integrated Learning), demonstrating the versatility of this teaching method beyond traditional boundaries.

Misconceptions About Language Proficiency Levels

A common myth that CL only applies in bilingual settings with advanced learners is challenged; practical examples show that even basic concepts can be taught effectively using this approach.

Emphasis on adapting language instruction for younger learners highlights that children often perceive multiple languages as one entity; thus, educators can leverage this understanding when teaching foundational vocabulary.

Challenges in Teaching English Through Content

Understanding Student Engagement and Learning Tools

Brita shares her experience of using surveys to teach healthy habits, highlighting that her students were unfamiliar with what a survey is, which she found disheartening.

A discussion arises about the assumption that learners will have prior knowledge from other subjects, leading to the need for additional teaching when they transition between languages.

The integration of English and Spanish learning is emphasized; students can leverage their knowledge from one language to enhance understanding in another, fostering a richer educational experience.

The importance of teaching English through meaningful content rather than just grammar structures is discussed. Students should see practical applications of their language skills in everyday contexts.

Engaging students through games and interactive activities after providing them with sentence frames and vocabulary helps build confidence in speaking English.

Conclusion and Future Sessions

The speaker expresses gratitude for participation despite technical issues, encouraging attendees to read each other's comments for valuable insights shared by fellow educators.

An invitation is extended for the next day's sessions featuring discussions on diverse classroom strategies and teaching philosophies, indicating ongoing professional development opportunities.