general topics (gen)

These are discussions of a general nature, of topics that don't fit neatly into any particular module. Threads are organized in the following categories & sub-categories:

Discussion list discussion
- Lack of DL usage
- DL Archive
Doing assignments
- Reference citing Q & A
Web-based research resources
General issues
Humor

discussion list discussion

Alumni Discussion List

Information about the discussion list Aston has for EASG alumni, and a bit of confusion over it is cleared up. Includes a definitive statement from Sue Garton.

DL Impact

Opinions about the impact the discussion list has had on our program. In addition, the term "lurkers" is discussed.

DL Organization

A discussion from January 2000 that paved the way for current discussion list protocol. In addition, the topic of low DL usage was addressed.

Orientation to the DL

Introduction & orientation to the MSc discussion list & archive website.

Presence of Tutors on the DL

Another detailed discussion about the presence of tutors on the DL, including comments from former tutors Steve Mann and Keith Richards.

>> lack of dl usage

Great Response- but why so rare?

A detailed look at why our discussion list is not used more often, including commentary about the role of tutors.

Is This List Too Academic?

A regular DL participant wonders if "academic" contributions to the list are intimidating.

Usage Questionnaire Response

A response to a questionnaire about the effectiveness of the DL.

Why Isn't the DL Used More Often?

Why is the discussion list not often used? How could it be improved?

Why the lack of posts?

Another look into the root causes of low DL usage.

>> dl archive

DL Archive Proposal

An early discussion about the idea for creating this website. Several ideas generated from this exchange later became implemented into the final design and structure.

The public announcement of this site, and the subsequent comments from our community. Many of the ideas and suggestions from this discussion have been implemented into the sites current design and structure.

DL Corpus Project

The annoucement of the completion of a corpus based on the Aston discussion list, a project that was a precursor to this archive.

doing assignments

Assessment Criteria Grids

Answers to a questionnaire put out by Sue Wharton regarding the usefulness of the assignment criteria grids found in the study companion.

Assignment Submission Deadline

Clarification about assignment deadlines & grading, including commentary from former tutor Keith Richards.

Assignment Envy

Are you suffering from assignment envy? Here's how to tell if you are and what to do about it.

Assignment Wordcounts

Clarification about how many words an assignment can have, including commentary from tutor Sue Wharton.

Assignment Wordcount Exclusions

Former tutor Steve Mann provides an answer to what may an may not be excluded from assignment wordcounts.

O.P.A.R.P

What can you do if you're suffering from Over-extended Post-Assignment Relaxation Period syndrome (OPARP)? Also discussion about the optimal number of modules to take at any given time.

Posting Assignments

A discussion about the advantages & disadvantages of posting assignments on the Internet.

Submitting Assignment Proposals

Questions and discussion about the practice of submitting assignment proposals to tutors. Includes commentary from former tutor Steve Mann.

Upgrading Assignments for Publication

Some thoughts on the process of getting an assignment ready for publication.

>> Reference Citing q & a

1: Second Hand Quotes & Personal Communications

How do you cite a reference for a quote you take from an article written by another author? In addition, how do you cite a reference to your own class notes?

2: Unknown Author or Date

Help on how to cite a reference when you don't know the author or publish date.

3: Sources in Foreign Languages

What are some guidelines for citing sources in foreign languages?

4: Citing Online Concordances

How to cite online concordances in APA format.

5: Quotes from Published Papers

How do you cite quotes from a book that is a collection of previous published papers? Includes commentary from former tutor Steve Mann.

web-based research resources

Action Research Resource

A link to a website containing a conpendium of websites dedicated to participatory action research.

Aston MSc 'Quick Start Guide'

Introduction and orientation to David Anderson's website, a place that "tells you how to get up and running quickly on the MSc without swamping you with superfluous details." Also includes a message from David detailing changes made to the site.

BBC Radio Resources

A link to the BBC Radio4 website that offers the chance to download live broadcast material for use in classes and for research.

Best Websites

A modest collection of websites favored among CPs for teaching English.

Discourse Intonation Website

A link to the Centre for Discourse Intonation Studies, a site devoted to David Brazil's theory of intonation. It contains some very useful examples of intonation patterns you can listen to.

Nice Distance Learning Website

A link to an excellent online book for distances learners that contains a conpendium of useful information and web-based resources.

Military English

A link to the British Council's website on military English.

Paul's FTP Website

A link to Paul Raper's private ftp site that "has a few little bits and bobs which you might find useful." A link to his main Aston-related resources page is also included.

Two Useful Websites

Links to two extremely useful websites: the Open Directory Project, and the Science Direct Web Research Guide.

What is ERIC?

An explanation of what the ERIC database has to offer, plus some other "computery" resources.

>> Journals, books, & articles

Accessing Online Journals via Athens

Advice for gaining access to online journals through the use of an "Athens" password.

Applied Linguistics

Advice for how to access the journal "Applied Linguistics" online via Athens.

Bilingual Dictionary Use

Some questions and answers about bilingual dictionaries, including links and commentary from tutor Ramesh Krishnamurthy.

ESP Journal Link

Here's a link and some screenshots of the "ESP Journal," an online magazine devoted to teaching English for Special Purposes.

European Journals

Links to two major European journals: EERJ (European Educational Research Journal) & EERA (European Educational Research Association).

Journal Accessing Trouble

Some advice from tutor Sue Garton on why and what to do if you are not able to access a particular article with your Athens password.

Needs Analysis Articles

References for several articles on the topic of 'needs analysis'.

Reading in a Foreign Language

A link to a free online journal called "Reading in a Foreign Language."

TESOL Journals Online at Aston

Information on how CPs can access TESOL Quarterly and TESOL Journal at the Aston library website.

The Language Teacher

Online access information for this Japan-based English education journal.

>> conducting research

Conducting Email Questionnaires

Advice on how to conduct questionnaires via email.

Conducting Questionnaires

Insights and advice for creating successful questionnaires. The thread ends with an extensive teacher survey on procedural instructions in the classroom.

Creating Questionnaires Online

Links and advice for easily conducting questionnaires and surveys via the Internet.

Filemaker Pro

A positive review of Filemaker Pro and suggestions for applying it to our studies.

Google Scholar

A link to Google's service that allows you to search for academic articles available on the net.

Questionnaire Design

Interested in creating a good questionnaire or survey? Check out this excellent book by Dornyei.

Surveys & Questionnaires

Links to websites that can help you create better surveys & questionnaires.

>> miscellaneous

Blackboard Log-in

Ahh... how do you log into Blackboard again?

ESP Conference Websites

Links to websites containing ESP conference calendar information.

general issues

Action Research Attack

Paul Meara of the University of Wales takes a hatchet job to action research, calling it "thoroughly pernicious, especially at Masters level." Will this attack go unanswered?

Circular Study & Becker's Criterion

Is it ok for linguists to study their own discourse? In addition, "Becker's Criterion" is defined.

Classroom Research Realities

Has anyone noticed that research done by "experts" seems to be... perfect? Why is this? Includes commentary from former tutor Steve Mann.

CLIL

Views are exchanged about issues related to CLIL, the "Content & Language Integrated Learning" approach.

Degree Titles

Which degree title is most appropriate for you?

Emotions

Can knowledge be evaluated dispassionately in research or in the classroom?

Financial Metaphors in TESOL

A look into the prevalence of financial terms & metaphors in TESOL. Featuring analysis by Keith Richards.

Getting Old in Japan

Some of the struggles that CPs living and working in Japan face when thinking about their future employment prospects.

Hypercorrection

Is the term "pardon" and example of middleclass hypercorrection? What IS hypercorrection?

Importance of Networking

A quote from Leo van Lier stimulates discussion on the importance of collaboration & networking amongst colleagues.

Influential Books

What book outside of our field has influenced your work or study?

Key Terms in Philosophy

An excerpt from former tutor Keith Richard's book that clarifies important philosophical positions pertaining to our field.

Lack of Peer Rhythm

This conversation took place at a time when CPs were all free to work at their own pace, with no lock-step courses available. The pros & cons of this arrangement were discussed, and a number of ideas proposed, providing insight into how our current program evolved.

Losing Your Mother Tongue

In this branch of the "Language Acquisition Young vs. Old" thread, CPs discuss how living in a country where English is not the main language diminishes their native speaking ability.

Minority Dialects and Correct English

Opinions about teaching non-standard English in order to give students the language they need. Also, how can "correctness" be defined?

Plain English

We are being taught to learn the discourse of the TESOL community, but is that what we want? Includes a "quiz" about deciphering the meanings of quotes made by several authors.

Preparing for Tutor Visits

An Aston tutor is about to visit your region! What are some ways to get the maximum benefit from these workshops? Includes results from a CP's survey on the effectiveness of one such visit.

Professional Isolation

CPs commiserate about a sense of isolation they feel in their workplaces and ponder what to do about it. The issue of standards for our profession is also addressed. Includes commentary from former tutor Steve Mann.

Quantitative vs. Introspective Data

What are the problems with introspective data? Includes commentary by tutor Ramesh Krishnamurthy.

Relevance of Culture to TESOL

A request for a module based on the topic of language and culture.

Research that Resonated

Does action research matter to anyone else but the person doing it?

Summer School

Commentary and feedback about the experience of attending summer school at Aston (July 2005). Includes a contribution by tutor Sue Garton.

Technology in University Education

Is technology a threat to the idea of a university? A short submitted review of the article by Alisdair MacIntyre ("A Communitarian Critique of the Technological University"), where the author confronts this question.