Technology in the classroom: Tech Tips for Teachers Free Ebook with links to 47 freebies

Somebody once sarcastically said (if you know who did, please tell me) that computers were invented to solve problems we didn't know we had.

I get the point, but I see computers (and technology in general) under a much brighter light.

For instance, if technology hadn't evolved so much in the past 5, 10, 15 years, I wouldn't be here talking writing to you :D

Now seriously, I cannot project the future of education that does not involve the integration of more and more technological tools. For us, educators, it means being on top of what's current and useful.

If you're looking for ways to increase the use of technology in your classroom, you might want to download this hot-off-the-press FREE Ebook (click on the image):

This Teachers Pay Teachers - sponsored Ebook was beautifully organized by Laurah J. and it contains tech tips and links to freebies by 47 (!) teachers.

I'm honored to have been included and if you want to read my tip, check out page 13.

I would love to know how much technology is part of your daily teaching, so don't forget to leave me a comment below.

Thanks for reading!

10 words that English borrowed from French

I looove languages. I like to teach them, I like to learn them. I enjoy thinking about the similarities and contrasts between English and Portuguese, Portuguese and French, French and Italian, and so on.

When introducing vocabulary, I can't help but think about the origin of some of the words I'm teaching.
I thought that would make for a fun post to share with you.

Since I teach English and have taught French, I thought it would only be fitting to start with…

1. BOULEVARD
Baron Haussman is the one responsible for creating,  in the mid-19th century, the wide avenues for which Paris is known for. An example is the Champs-Élysées.
As a movie buff, that word immediately reminds me of the classic movie "Sunset Boulevard". None of my students knows what I'm talking about…Do you?

2. PRAIRIE
I first heard this word when learning about the American prairies and find it curious that such an American word actually comes from Old French. I think that's more a case of "stealing" instead of "borrowing" a word.

3. AMATEUR
This word means exactly the same thing in French, but the pronunciation is different. Sometimes, when I'm saying this word in French conversation, the American accent takes over and I really sound like an amateur :)

4. FIANCÉ(E)
Ah, l'amour! I think romance has everything to do with the French language and it comes as no surprise that the word for an engaged man/woman would come from it.

5. MARDI GRAS
Mardi = Tuesday and gras = fat. Literally, "fat Tuesday". I know, I know, you don't really need to learn how to say "fat" in any language other than your own.

6. RÉSUMÉ
When preparing a résumé, people have to summarize what they've done so far in their career and that's what the word means: summary.

7. CLICHÉ
Literature and cinema abound with it: the overused expression or situation. Yet, I love myself a good clichéd rom-com every now and then :)

8. DÉJÀ VU
You have seen this one before…You have seen this one before…

9. OMELETTE
10. CHEF
The French cuisine is praised worldwide and many words and expressions related to food and cooking are taken from French, such as "omelette", "chef", "sous-chef", "croissant", "entrée", etc.

Well, it's about dinnertime as I write this post, so let me go eat the omelette with toasted croissant prepared by my amateur chef husband!

I've started a new blog. The name says it all: For French Immersion Blog. Come check it out and subscribe to the For French Immersion Newsletter. Merci!

READ at For French Immersion: 7 Pinterest boards for French teachers

READ: 10 words that English borrowed from Spanish

READ: 10 words that English borrowed from Portuguese

READ: 10 words that English borrowed from Japanese

READ: Teacher-authors around the world

See you soon,