CATESOL24

Author “Slangman” David Burke gives an informative & hilarious presentation on teaching idioms and slang in-person and online. These are the words and phrases that typically keep your students on the outside of our culture—leaving them feeling alone, frustrated, and ostracized …until now! Slangman will also clue you into the very newest slang your students are bringing into your classroom that you need to know! Learn which idioms and slang your students must learn to avoid embarrassment, avoid costly mistakes in business, achieve true fluency, and open the doors to American culture.

Grammar doesn't have to be boring! The editor of three well-known resources, The ELT Grammar Book, The Grammar You Need series, and the Zero Prep series, shows how engaging, accessible content mixed with corpus-based and active-learning approaches transforms grammar instruction from lifeless to lively. Materials provided.

Digital literacy extends beyond finding, evaluating, and conveying information using technology. It is the ability to be technically competent, to read and write well, and to think critically to become empowered with the confidence to navigate a digital world. In this session, we will explore how BurlingtonEnglish immerses students in a complete digital experience with standards-based, teacher-led instruction to develop English proficiency while integrating essential digital literacy skills that learners need to achieve success.

Join author Donna Price and two engaging Adult Ed ESL instructors as they share their experiences from their virtual and face-to-face classes. They'll focus on building communities in their beginning and intermediate level ESL classes while Donna showcases the variety of resources available on Cambridge's learning management system, Cambridge One. Find out what their favorite technology tools are, including easy digital gamification, creative uses of the Ventures series, and strategies for engaging learners and building community. You'll leave excited to incorporate new strategies and technology tips into your classroom with ease.

Looking for somewhere to eat lunch? Drop in and chat with other local educators. Share what you've been teaching, regional-specific challenges and successes, and whether you've been involved in Steinbeck Chapter activities before! Whether you're new to the Monterey area or are interested in helping revitalize the Chapter, we're happy to have you here!

Steinbeck Chapter serves the following regions:
- Monterey County
- San Benito County
- Santa Cruz County

Are you on the Steinbeck Chapter message board? Take this opportunity to log into your catesol.org member profile and join the Steinbeck Chapter message board -- we're working on getting this Chapter more active again!

Interested in helping out with the Chapter? Message catesolmerve@gmail.com, our Chapter Council Chair, and she'll get you connected.

Gaming has become a mainstream entertaining activity worldwide, evolving into complex systems that combine virtual spaces and engaging environments across all digital platforms. This unique potential can be leveraged by Second Language Acquisition programs. In this presentation, we will explore into the multifaceted benefits of using games in SLA further.

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing language learning, especially in English speaking proficiency. Unlike traditional methods, where achieving fluency required significant time, money, and travel, today's learners have access to AI-powered tools that provide dynamic, personalized speaking practice. Platforms like FLOW Speak and others are making language learning more accessible, allowing students to practice anywhere, anytime, and at a fraction of the cost. These tools enhance, rather than replace, traditional teaching, empowering both educators and learners to achieve better outcomes in less time, unlocking global opportunities for academic and career success.

ESLvideo.com offers free and premium resources for English teachers and students, including video-based quizzes, ChattyBots, and the Neo English App-tools designed for engaging, practical speaking practice. ChattyBots are AI-powered, voice-enabled chatbots customized for conversations, listen-and-repeat drills, workplace English role-play scenarios, and more. The Neo English App accelerates proficiency through daily practice by sending users one question per day, encouraging beginning-level learners to engage in short conversations. This daily, bite-sized practice leads to significant progress over time. Join this presentation to learn how easy and affordable it is for teachers and organizations to share these educational tools with students.