[MUSIC] [SOUND] Are you there? [LAUGH] Yes, there you are. Guess what? Shane's off using that incredible brain of his to write engaging new scripts for course four, which means he's left me in charge of the capstone course. [LAUGH] Goody. We're going to have a lot of fun. Or, something like that. So, since Shane's not around, I guess I'm the lucky one who gets to say, welcome back, to Teach English Now. And welcome, to the capstone course, for Teach English Now Part One. [LAUGH] That was so much fun to say. Shane always gets to say that part. Okay [SOUND] now, down to business. First of all, I'd like to say congratulation because you've successfully finished the first three courses of part one of Teach English Now. You've worked hard, you've learned a lot. And now, hopefully, you're ready to demonstrate what you've learned so far. You'll be asked to complete a number of practical meaningful tasks in this part of the course. All of which will draw upon what was taught in courses one, two, and three. The purpose of these tasks is two-fold. First, we'd like to see you apply some of the concepts discussed throughout the first three courses. Second, the tasks in this course will help prepare you to apply for teaching positions, as well as everyday activities in teaching life. Many of the documents you will create in this course are often required in teaching applications, as well as everyday life as a teacher. So the first project you'll be asked to complete is to write a personal teaching philosophy. This is a great way for you to examine which teaching approaches most closely align with your teaching style. To describe why teaching is important to you and to explain the techniques that you'd like to integrate in your own teaching. Many teaching positions require applicants to submit a teaching philosophy in addition to a CV or a resume. The teaching philosophy gives employers a glimpse into the teacher's motivation, personality and strengths, topics that aren't really covered in a CV. The second task that you'll be asked to do is to plan a 50 to 60 minute lesson plan. Lesson plans are yet another document employers ask for in the job application process. So you did this before in course three, this time we'll walk you through, again, step by step to create another lesson plan. You might want to consider planning a lesson related to the first lesson plan from course three. Because later you'll be asked to create a five day lesson plan. If both your lesson plan from course three and this one are related, you'll already have two out of your five days already planned, which will absolutely save you time in the long run. [LAUGH] So the third task you'll be asked to create is a one week lesson plan. The goal is to help you see the bigger picture of lesson planning and how each class should build upon the previous one instead of being standalone lessons. You'll create learning objectives for the entire week, as well as plan an effective assessment for the end of the week. If your lesson plan from course three and this course, if they're both related, as mentioned before, you can use them both to fulfill two of the five days required in the one week lesson plan. The fourth test will be for you to submit a teaching tip for your teaching toolbox. This can be activity, a game, a reading, anything really, to share with other teachers. If everyone shares their tips, you'll have hundreds, maybe thousands tips and activities from other teachers that you can incorporate into your own teaching. And this will help reduce time when you're lesson planning. In modules one through five of the capstone course, you'll also be asked to do some teacher observations. Since we know many of you might not have access to ESL teachers near you, we've filmed some of our own amazing teachers in our ESL program here at Arizona State University. You will the watch the videos of each teacher and analyze the strength of each teacher, the teacher's lesson plans and which techniques you may want to use in your own classes. You will share your reflections with your fellow participants. The last part of this course is the final capstone project. This is the very last task you'll be asked to complete for this course. You will film yourself teaching a micro lesson, which is part of the lesson plan that you created in either modules two or three of the capstone course. You'll choose part of your lesson plan that you like the most and record yourself teaching for six to ten minutes. If you're currently teaching, you're welcome film yourself teaching in your own class. However, if you're not currently teaching, just record yourself teaching. No students needed. And believe it or not, a teaching video is something that employers sometimes require when submitting a teaching application. Plus, [LAUGH] this is your chance to show off some of your skills, ideas, and techniques that you've learned so far in this course. Whew! That sounds like a lot of work, doesn't it? Maybe you're sitting there thinking, jeez I wish Shane was around to design [LAUGH] this course. He wouldn't have been so demanding and asked us to do so much work. [LAUGH] Keep on dreaming my friends. Before I sat down to actually create this course Shane, Justin and I discussed all the material that would be covered in this course. So, these ideas were a team effort. Please believe me when I say that all of these assignments are not busy work. Each and every one of these assignments are important meaningful tasks that will help you reflect on and apply the information that you've learned so far. Plus, these assignments will help prepare you for teaching and applying for future teaching jobs. Before you dive into this course, I'd like to leave you with one reminder. Please try to do your best on all of these assignments. Some of them may challenge you more than you're used to. And you know what? That's precisely the point of the capstone project, to challenge you. But, if you realize you're getting writer's block and you just can't think or write anymore, please remember to stop. Take a break, get a drink of water, walk around, whatever you need to do and then come back to your work later. Now, later maybe five minutes later, or possibly even the next day. I don't know about you, but sometimes, I need to let my ideas float around in my head for a few hours or even a few days before I start writing. And another suggestion, if you get stuck, is to talk about your ideas with a friend or a family member, [LAUGH] even if they're not teachers. I can't tell you how many times in creating each of these courses that Shane, Justin, and I have had to talk ideas through with each other or bounce ideas off each other when we get stuck and we just can't write anymore. Sometimes, just talking about your ideas helps to get your brain working again so that you can continue to write and create brilliant work. So, the completion of this capstone course marks the halfway point in achieving your TSEL certification. Part two of Teach English Now contains three more courses and a second capstone project. Upon successfully completing the second capstone project and all of the course before you, you will receive a TSEL certificate from ASU. [LAUGH] Exciting right? So, let's put on our thinking caps and get to it. Good luck to you. [MUSIC]
