Firstly, go with a plan! The programme is normally available before the start of a conference, so take a look and choose some initial sessions you think look interesting.
We know that our students learn best when there is a genuine reason to use the language. As teachers, I think a lot of us learn and consolidate new things by teaching them to someone else! This was one of the first teacher training sessions I ever did. Why not write a blog post about it? Although great fun, conferences can also be a full-on experience. Below are my tips that are more focused on wellbeing and keeping you happy, healthy and sane while attending!
Seasoned conference-goers, are there any other tips or insights you want to share? Whether you use ones that come with your textbook, find them on the internet or make your own or get your students to make them!
Here are four of my favourites…. Add the spider or similar flashcard to the other cards, so that it appears several cards in. With older students this game can also be played as a competitive version, where the last student to reach the wall is out each time. For lower level students model and practice the correct question and answer forms first, and write them on the board as a reminder if appropriate.
This game gives lots of opportunity for group productive practice drilling. It works best with between six and ten different flashcards! Remember to use magnets or blutack to stick them rather than tape as you need to be able to turn the cards over quickly! As an added twist, add your last flashcard moving the other way — so one card is moving round the circle anti-clockwise while the others move clockwise.
