Distance Learning Foundation

With support from the U.S. Embassy RELOand TOT Public Company Limited

Bangkok, Thailand

Unlocking Learners’ VoicesSession 4

Revisiting Opinions through Writing

Format of Today’s Session

✤ Part I: 1) Review concepts of Session 1 with Marti & 2) New concepts on giving opinions via writing

✤ Part II: 1) Evaluate and comment on real student samples from our teachers

✤ Part III: 1) Another activity for opinion writing & 2) Another way to assess

✤ Part IV: 1) Revisiting the idea of persuasion & 2) Implications in classrooms

Opinion Writing with Marti

With a partner, think of a few conceptsor main ideas from the 1st session

on writing opinions.

1 min for brainstorming; 2 min for sharing

perspectivepersonal

weak vs. strong

planning

Can you think of more?

Your Opinion = Your Voice

your character (ethos)

your connections (pathos)

your logic (logos)

A strong, credible, confident opinionthat people can understand on many levels

Quick Exercise

With a partner, write 5-6 sentencestrying to persuade a friend

to watch a new movie that you likebut your friend doesn’t want to

spend money watching in a theater.

4 minutes for writing

Exercise Recap: Is it persuasive?

1- Does the author sound reliable? Where is it in the essay? [ethos]

2- Does the author connect with the audience emotionally? How? [pathos] 3- Does the author support his/her argument or idea with facts? Which ones? [logos] 5 minutes for recap

Sharing & AnalyzingYour Students’ Voices

Steps for Sharing & Analyzing

1. Brief Explanation of Rationale by Teachers2. Reading Learner Voices, a few samples3. Analyzing each opinion piece via guiding questions

4. Offering comments, advice & suggestions for improvement

Step 1: Rationale in Brief

For the teachers who submitted students’work, what was your overall rationaleor reasoning behind your class lessonson opinion writing?

5 minutes of discussion

Step 2: Reading Learner Voice 1

Aj. Moon’s M5 student, Phisamai, gives an

opinion on Thai education.

2.5 minutes for reading

Step 3: Analyzing the Learner Voice

Please refer to your handout titledIs this persuasive? How? to help youin assessing the student writing.

(This will be used for all of the samplesof student voices this session.)

4-5 minutes for evaluating

Step 4: Commentary & Advice

For this student sample, please share any commentary and suggestionsyou have to help improveopinion writing.

4-5 minutes for commenting

Reading Learner Voice 2

Aj. Kanuengnit’s M6 student, Yatphirun, gives an opinion

on flood damage.

2.5 minutes for reading

Analyzing & Commenting on the Learner Voice

Like with the previous essay,we will follow the same procedurewith the guiding questions foranalysis before the oral comments.

4 minutes for evaluating4 minutes for commenting

Reading Learner Voice 3

Aj. Pimchat’s M5 student, Anurak, gives an

opinion on the recent floods.

2.5 minutes for reading

Analyzing & Commenting on the Learner Voice

Let’s do this a bit differently...

Let’s divide the assessmentaccording to the training sites.

Hua HinBangkok

Chiang Mai

3 min for evaluating 4 min for commenting

Reading Learner Voice 4

Aj. Salita’s M2 students, give their opinions

on bicycles & motorcycles.

1 minute for reading

Analyzing & Commenting on the Learner Voice

Let’s continue to divide the assessmentaccording to the training sites.

Hua HinBangkok

Chiang Mai

2 min for evaluating 3 min for commenting

Reading Learner Voice 5

Aj. Dalad & Ploenpit’s M5 student, Wachirawit, give his opinion

on flood survival.

2 minutes for reading

Analyzing & Commenting on the Learner Voice

Let’s continue to divide the assessmentaccording to the training sites.

Hua HinBangkok

Chiang Mai

2 min for evaluating 3 min for commenting

Reading Learner Voice 6

Aj. Sasiwong’s M5 student, Noppawit, give his opinion

on “universal wrongs”.

3 minutes for reading

Analyzing & Commenting on the Learner Voice

Let’s continue to divide the assessmentaccording to the training sites.

Hua HinBangkok

Chiang Mai

2 min for evaluating 3 min for commenting

Taking a Step BackBased on these writings..

What can you say about these student voices?

What can you say aboutthe assessment method?

3 min for commenting

Evaluations, Evaluations

Using a new student sample,read it and with a partner,

create a draft of a rubric (or different way

of evaluating).

3 min for drafting 4 min for sharing

Watching & Thinking (Extension)

“Baraka” clip

After watching this clip, write a briefpersonal opinion piece.*

*Your opinion is inspired by what youjust watched.

4 min for writing

Opinions On Opinions:Implications for Teaching

After this session, what are somenew insights you gained from

giving opinions through writing?

What new ideas can you take to your students to help them

unlock their voices?

Contact Details

Training.engteach@gmail.com

shei.sanchez@gmail.com

www.facebook.com

search: DLF Teacher Training

Korp Khun Mak Ka!

See you in the next session!