Power point

1. Using Power Point in the English Language Classroom
Saturday 21 November 9.00 –10.15 h
Of the new technologies Power Point is not exactly the newest: it has
been around for some time now. Nevertheless, it has yet to be fully
exploited in the English-language classroom. This may be because of
some of its easily identifiable shortcomings:
• It requires specific equipment (computer and beamer) which
may not always be readily available.
• Preparing new material can often be time consuming.
• The material is not very flexible and teachers may feel that
they will not be able to respond to unforeseen events in the
course of a class.
Having said that, it has some advantages that cannot be ignored and
it can add depth, variety and effectiveness to a teacher’s repertoire.
For example:
• It is slick and professional (if used correctly).
• When providing language models, it saves valuable class time
(one click of the mouse not several minutes writing on the
blackboard) and ensures clarity.
• Once prepared, the material can be used time after time
without getting torn or dirty.
• It is a simple and effective way of combining images and
language so useful in a language-learning environment.
• It makes it possible to create different group dynamics.
The workshop is not designed to teach participants how to create a
Power point slide: it is assumed that participants will be at least basic
users. Some indications, however, will be given about points to bear
in mind so that slides are fully effective (font size, use of colour,
image/language ratio, etc).
Most of the workshop will be spent demonstrating a series of power
Point-based activities that can be used in all stages of the typical
language class—presenting grammar, teaching vocabulary, controlled
practice, games, writing, etc.—and how, with a little imagination,
these activities can be thematically linked together to form a coherent
whole.
The aim of the workshop is for participants to become aware of the
potential of Power Point and to go away with some ideas that they
can adapt for use in their own teaching situations.