Join us on April 11 from 2-5pm for a double workshop on textbooks and art in the EFL classroom.
Location:
Gwangju National University of Education, Creativity Convergence Building (창의융합관), 3rd Floor, English Cafe.
South Korea
See map: Google Maps
KR
Workshop 1: The Pros and Cons of Textbooks
Presenter: Tory S. Thorkelson
New job, New classes, New textbook? Having just moved from a long-held position to an all-new job, I have found myself adapting, adopting and supplementing in order to meet the students' needs and my own. You can choose to teach the textbook or teach the skills and language that the textbook intends to teach.
The idea of following a textbook religiously is often the understandable choice of a new teacher while an experienced teacher can use the book as a spring-board for encouraging their students to use and develop their language in realistic and manageable ways. This workshop will highlight how the author has been doing that. This session willl give attendees a few tips and tricks for building on a required textbook that clearly does not fit a multilevel-class while also allowing time for sharing what has and has not worked in their particular contexts. By sharing real examples, it is hoped that everyone will leave with some new ideas and strategies for dealing with similar situations.
About the presenter:
Tory S. Thorkelson (BA, B.Ed, MEd in TESL/TEFL, PhD in Language Studies/ Curriculum Development) is a proud Canadian who has been an active KOTESOL member since 1998 and has presented at many local and international conferences. He is a past president of the KOTESOL Seoul Chapter, a past president of KOTESOL, and former KOTESOL Teacher Training leader and member. He was an associate professor for HYU’s English Language and Literature Program for almost 20 years and is now a Visiting Professor at Sejong University. He has co-authored research studies and textbooks, written several book reviews/papers, a few e-books and has been a regular contributor to EFL Magazine. Email: koreathorkelson@gmail.com.
Workshop 2: Artful Language Learning: Creative Approaches for Young Learners
Presenter: Ide O’Connell
Art can be a powerful tool for engaging young learners while supporting meaningful language development. In this interactive session, participants will explore how creative projects can be integrated into language classrooms to encourage communication, imagination, and confidence. The workshop will introduce practical strategies for selecting age-appropriate art activities and locating useful online resources. Key considerations for designing effective projects—including scaffolding language use, managing materials, and connecting artistic expression to learning goals—will be discussed. Participants will also take part in a hands-on activity that models how an art project can create opportunities for language use while keeping learning enjoyable and accessible for young students.
About the Presenter:
Ide O’Connell has been teaching since 2002, with experience in Korea, Russia, Spain, and Hong Kong. She holds a Master’s in Applied Linguistics from Macquarie University and specializes in English for Specific Purposes. Currently teaching at a private elementary school in Korea, she integrates creative approaches into language learning, drawing from her passion for art and a recent certificate in early childhood education with a focus on art.
Dinner after by reservation.
