Overview:
Meet the Maker is a program where materials writers showcase their textbooks, apps, or other creations, followed by an interview conducted by the MW SIG. The discussion highlights the materials, creative process, and business aspects of publishing.
We hope this event will be both informative for the teaching community and insightful for a wide range of materials creators and educators.
Meet the Maker:
Abstract:
Teaching a TOEIC class is a tough challenge. Naturally, students want to achieve the highest score they can in the TOEIC test, and by going to a TOEIC preparation class they expect their teachers to make that happen. Yet this places a huge (and rather unreasonable) weight on teachers’ shoulders. How can teachers boost the TOEIC scores of their students? Classes can become a spiral of endless practice tests, with teachers frustrated they are not 'teaching' and students dissatisfied at their lack of progress.
That's exactly the dilemma that Pass the TOEIC Test addresses head-on, by focusing on the key skills and test-taking strategies students need on the test. Using content that accurately reflects the format and style of the test, Pass the TOEIC Test develops, practices and crucially tests students' ability across a wide range of language skills. Together with a thorough and systematic approach to essential strategies, this allows students to feel they are learning something special, gaining insights they wouldn’t otherwise have, and developing the key skills they need. In these ways, Pass the TOEIC Test successfully addresses the challenges faced by both students and teachers.
Bio:
Miles Craven has worked in English language education since 1988, teaching in schools, colleges and universities around the world. From 1997-2000 he worked at Nihon University in Japan. Since leaving Japan, he has been a full-time textbook writer. He is the author or co-author of over thirty textbooks for adults and young adults, writing mainly for Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press, and Macmillan. His courses include English Grammar in Use Extra, Cambridge English Skills, Q, Listening Extra, Reading Keys, Breakthrough Plus, and Wide Angle. He has also self-published Pass the TOEIC Test, through his own company, First Press ELT.
Example Schedule:
- 00-05 TIME 5 minutes: MW SIG Introductions
- 05-35 TIME 30 minutes: Presenter gives a slideshow about the textbook or other material
- 35-65 TIME 30 minutes: Interview about the textbook/materials, the creative process, and related business issues
- 65-80 TIME 15 minutes: Open Q&A with the audience
