Teaching the four skills – mini-event

Teaching the four skills

In these sessions, the speakers focus on how to teach the four skills in English language learning. Eman El Difrawy and Anestin Chi Lum explore how to make writing tasks more engaging and interactive. Rhona Snelling shares ideas for teaching speaking skills that will help build confidence. You will also get inspiration for engaging listening and reading tasks that you can use in your classroom. The live event took place on 13 November 2024.

About the sessions

Session 1: How can we make writing interactive?

Speaker

Eman El Difrawy

Session information

This workshop starts by looking at problems that learners face when they write. Then you will see demonstrations of creative activities and techniques that will help learners generate and organise ideas, prepare outlines, work together to correct and develop interesting, creative compositions where they express themselves fluently.

You can find a summary of the key points and references in the handout for Eman's webinar.

Session 2: How can we create confident speakers?

Speaker

Rhona Snelling

Session information

This webinar begins by examining what 'speaking' is and how it relates to the other language skills and language systems. Then, Rhona looks at the many sub-skills of speaking and at speech production models. In the final part of the webinar, she shows you how to approach and successfully include speaking skills in your classroom, by looking at some examples of classroom activities.

You can find a summary of the key points and references in the handout for Rhona's webinar.

Session 3: Can emojis help develop writing skills?

Speaker

Anestin Chi

Session information

This webinar builds on the idea of using visuals to support teaching/learning and showcases the findings of an action-research project about using emojis to improve writing skills. This can motivate learners and develop their writing skills at the same time. Then you will see real-life examples of how emojis can be used as a teaching tool to engage learners in writing tasks.

You can find a summary of the key points and references in the handout for Anestin's webinar.

Session 4: How can we work on the four skills? (panel discussion)

Speakers

Ofelie Muradian, Sid Ali Rahba and Soraya Rachel Pereira

Session information

Three expert teachers from around the world discuss the different ways they work on the four skills in their classes.

You can find a summary of the key points and references in the handout for Sid, Soraya and Ofelie's webinar.

About the speakers

Eman El Difrawy is an Egyptian teacher of English, soft skills trainer at university, online MOOC facilitator and experienced teacher trainer. She has also presented at numerous national and international TESOL conferences online and around the world. 

Rhona Snelling is a freelance ELT author, speaker, project manager and editor working in England. She holds a master's degree in applied linguistics and second language acquisition. Rhona has authored numerous ELT coursebooks for various international publishers. Her website is www.rhonasnelling.com. 

Anestin Chi is a multi-award-winning English and French language teacher from Cameroon. She is also a British Council certified trainer and a language consultant. Anestin is passionate about innovative teaching methodologies and teachers' professional development.  

Ofelie Muradian teaches in a language school in Armenia and also works managing other teachers. She strongly believes in the concept of learning to learn as a key to skills development, and will show how AI can help develop reading skills in teenagers and adults.

Sid Ali Rahba works as a Young Learners Coordinator for the British Council in Vietnam. He has also taught in Algeria and Turkey. Sid's interests include tailoring teaching methods to individual needs. He'll talk about developing listening skills.