English Expressions Commonly-used in the Classroom

Internationalizing Your Teaching with the Blackboard Learning Management System, Three Useful Websites & Frequently-Used

English Phrases for the University Classroom

Robert E. Johanson

NTUST Department of Applied Foreign Languages

Part I: An Introduction to a Useful Blackboard Exercise

The presenter will introduce the audience to a novel way to conduct a writing assignment via the Blackboard Learning Management System.

Part II: Three ESL Websites

Three extremely “handy” ESL/EFL Websites

a.) Randall’s Listening Lab [http://www.77cn.com.cn]

b.) http://www.77cn.com.cn [http://www.77cn.com.cn]

c.) Purdue University Online Writing Center (OWL) [http://owl.english.purdue.edu]

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Part III (A): Useful English Phrases for Classroom Communication*

Set out below is a series of useful expressions that have been adapted from the UCSB Teaching Assistant Handbook*. Please refer to the handbook, itself, for a more in-depth coverage of these topics. [Note: To save resources, the phrases have been collapsed two to a line and connected with back-slashes (/).]

Now, let's see what happens. /The second point I want to make is...

If that's clear, we will go on to the next point. /Let's get back to the idea of...

Now, let's approach the problem in a different way.

I'd like to finish talking about ... before we move on ...

Who would like to say something? /Do you agree ...? /Could you say a little more about that? Can you elaborate on that? /What do you think ...? /How do you feel ...?

What comparison can you make between ...?

What is the point made by the author of this article?

For example ... /Take ..., for example. /To be more specific ...

Let me give you an example ... /For instance .../

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Part III (B): Some Common English Phrases in RJ’s Classes

Late-Tardiness

You’re late.

The doors will be locked ten minutes into the period.

Tardiness reflects a lack of respect for your teacher.

Two lates equals an absence.

*Don’t worry: Better late than never, right?

*Don’t tell me, you were born late, too, right?

*You’re not late, you’re just early for next week, right?

Do vs. Due “Due next week.” vs. “Do next week.”

Example Sentence: “Due next week in class.”

Conclusion

This brief presentation has introduced you to three ESL/EFL websites and some common English-language phrases for the bilingual classroom. Hopefully, this workshop has inspired you to implement some of these phrases into your own teaching. Please remember that successful internationalization begins with each and every one of us! rj