Category Archives: Uncategorized

“If…” – a picture book session for middle school English Learners

For this session, I have chosen the book “If… : A mind-bending new way of looking at big ideas and numbers”, written by David J. Smith and illustrated by Steve Adams, published in 2014. This picture book is suitable for older students with intermediate reading abilities. In it, the author uses a combination of engagingContinue reading ““If…” – a picture book session for middle school English Learners”

“You know what they say about assuming…”

When it comes to learning a foreign language, you’ve almost certainly heard some of these opinions:  “Get them started learning young! Kids learn languages so much more easily than adults.”  “You’re lucky that you grew up bilingual, it makes it easier for you to learn other languages now.”  “The best way to learn a foreignContinue reading ““You know what they say about assuming…””

Experimental Translanguaging in an English Foreign Language School in Istanbul

an interview with Professors ‘Sena’ and ‘Nur’ What is translanguaging? “Translanguaging” is one of the most exciting concepts in the field of linguistics since Universal Grammar. First theorized in the 1980s by Welsh bilingual educator Ben Williams, it has really gained traction in the last 15 years, largely thanks to the Cuban-American professor of sociolinguisticsContinue reading “Experimental Translanguaging in an English Foreign Language School in Istanbul”

Native English vs. English as a Lingua Franca

History has seen many lingua francas come and go – Koine Greek, Latin, Sanskrit, Old Church Slavonic or the Mediterranean Lingua Franca from where the term gets its name. Today different regions of the world still use lingua francas to facilitate communication between cultures. Mandarin, Urdu and Malay allow millions of people from different partsContinue reading “Native English vs. English as a Lingua Franca”

5 Most Famous Places to See in Istanbul

I think my choices for the top 5 most famous places to see in Istanbul are simply obvious, although number 5 may surprise you a bit.

Part 1 – How to Work Abroad, January – April 2013

Many imagine a life of global travel and adventure. Southwest Wisconsin is the most beautiful place in the world, but it’s nice to check out other corners of the planet just to make sure. Doing so is easier than you think, and I’ll tell you how. A generation ago, this would have been a wildContinue reading “Part 1 – How to Work Abroad, January – April 2013”

Remember (and reexamine) the Alamo

Permit me to begin this academic essay with a little personal context: It’s currently the year 2020. I have strong misgivings about the morality of the American project, and I’m deeply conflicted about my identity as an American citizen in the context of 21st century globalism. I’ve passed most of the last decade living onContinue reading “Remember (and reexamine) the Alamo”