Stay up-to-date with what’s happening in American Culture and the American English community. Participate in an event, plan a classroom activity around an American holiday, or just explore celebratory days in the U.S. throughout the year.
Upcoming Events and Days of Note
2021
English for Business and Entrepreneurship (Second Offering)
This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in improving their language skills and knowledge of business and entrepreneurship at the same time. From identifying an opportunity to planning a persuasive pitch, this course will guide you step-by-step through the basic elements of starting up a new business. Through selected readings and video lectures, you will learn how to use market research to identify risks and opportunities. You will learn how to read and develop a business plan and how to find investors and financial support. Finally, you will learn strategies for making a pitch to present your business concept.
Full Link: https://www.canvas.net/browse/fhi/courses/english-business-entrepreneurship
Shortened Link: http://bit.ly/EBE2020Enrollment
English for Media Literacy (Second Offering)
This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in improving their language skills and knowledge of the media at the same time. In this course, participants will investigate how media has changed over time. They will explore the world of advertising and identify targeted marketing strategies, analyze sources, detect bias, and examine how diversity representation in media influences individual identity and society. This course provides the opportunity to develop a broader understanding of the role media plays in our lives while building the vocabulary and language skills needed to analyze what we read and watch.
Full Link: https://www.canvas.net/browse/fhi/courses/english-for-media-literacy
Shortened Link: http://bit.ly/EML2020Enrollment
Using Educational Technology in the English Language Classroom
This MOOC is provided by Iowa State University. This course is designed to prepare TESOL professionals to integrate language learning tools into their English language teaching. Participants will become aware of free technological tools, learn how to use these tools for language learning and teaching, and evaluate the appropriateness of a technology tool for their specific contexts.
Professional Development for Teacher Trainers
The Professional Development for Teacher Trainers MOOC is provided by Arizona State University. This MOOC, designed for both new and experienced teachers, gives participants methods for creating, presenting, and evaluating effective teacher training workshops. You will gain tools and techniques for promoting professional development in your teaching context. Through participation in this course, you will develop your skills for delivering engaging and relevant teacher trainings.
Establishing Academic Writing Centers (Second Offering)
In this course, provided by Iowa State University, participants will learn about the purpose and function of academic writing centers at higher education institutions. They will be introduced to guidelines for establishing and running a writing center in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context. In particular, participants will explore models for funding a writing center, best practices for hiring and training staff, writing center policies and procedures, and methods of promoting a writing center’s services.
English for Science, Technology, and (Second Offering) Mathematics (STEM)
This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in improving their English skills in the sciences. In this course, you will explore some of the most innovative areas of scientific study while expanding your vocabulary and the language skills needed to share scientific information within your community. In Module 1, you will learn how to preview texts and practice some of the language used to make comparisons when talking about global warming and climate change. In Module 2, you will examine the chemistry of climate change and the language of cause and effect. In Module 3, you will learn about some of the impacts of Climate Change and the language used to describe these effects. In Module 4, you will learn reading strategies that can help you explore the science behind some new energy systems. In Module 5, you will investigate practical advances in nanotechnology that help slow down climate change, while developing your own research skills in English. This is a self-paced course, which will be open for 12 weeks. Participants can complete coursework at any time during these 12 weeks. The course has 5 modules; each module will require approximately 3-5 hours of work.
TESOL Methodology
This course, provided by the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), is designed to provide you with current methodologies for teaching English learners (ELs) of different ages in many learning contexts. You will discuss and practice a wide variety of strategies and techniques for teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). While exploring best practices for teaching listening, speaking, reading, and writing, including grammar and vocabulary, you will learn how to create an effective and communicative language classroom for all learners. In addition, you will examine what best practices means in the context of teaching English in the 21st century, where English is an international language, and the use of English incorporates modern technologies.