Posts

Unlocking Speaking Skills: Current Research Insights for TESOL Educators

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Teaching speaking is a dynamic and evolving field in TESOL research.   (📷:goneseoulsearching) S peaking ability is more important today than ever. English has become a global language, making oral fluency a critical skill for learners in academics, career and daily life.   Research emphasises that students need strong speaking skills to participate in international communication and achieve their goals . Yet it’s not easy: many learners remain shy or struggle to speak even after years of study. Studies report that limitations like crowded classes and little authentic practice time leave students short on real conversation practice. In fact, many students struggle with speaking because classrooms often lack opportunities for active communication . Understanding these challenges helps teachers empathise with learners and motivates us to find better solutions. 'What is oracy?' ▶️2m Learning to speak well also builds confidence and community in the classroom. When students su...
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Beyond “It Didn’t Age Well”: Media Literacy, Virtue Mirroring, and Judging Older Media

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Deeper media analysis can foster a more nuanced understanding of both past and present content.   (📷:mylifesnotes) I n today’s online conversations, especially on social media, it is common to read that a beloved movie or show “didn’t age well”.  This phrase often marks the end of debate rather than inviting closer analysis. For example, a magazine notes that older Hollywood classics are full of “blatant examples of racism, misogyny and homophobia” . Viewers then use this as a catch-all reason to dismiss these works outright. But simply declaring content outdated or offensive undercuts any chance to understand why those stereotypes or attitudes appeared. It prevents us from asking questions about the story’s intentions, the creator’s context, or the norms of the time. In effect, saying “it hasn’t aged well” can be a way of avoiding the hard work of examining media critically. 'This didn't age well... (The Osbournes)' ▶️2m06s This problem is exacerbated by our current f...
Location: Australia
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The Network of Falsehoods: Sissela Bok on Lies and Trust

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Bok argued that honesty is the “social glue” of trust.   (📷:irpp) S issela Bok’s starting point is simple but powerful: truth-telling is a vital social practice. She invites us to imagine a world where honesty is not the norm.  In such a world, “you could never trust anything you were told or anything you read” . You would have to verify every  fact yourself – an impossibly time-consuming task. Bok observes that even basic education assumes a degree of trust: if schoolbooks and teachers were known liars, learning would collapse . In her words, without trust, “you could never acquire the education you need… since such an education depends upon taking the word of what you read in your lesson books.” . This thought experiment makes it crystal clear  that we benefit enormously from living in a largely truthful world. 'Should You Always Tell The Truth? ' ▶️2m24s Bok formalises this as the Principle of Veracity : a strong moral presumption against lying, because most ...
Location: Australia
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Crafting Stunning Photos: Techniques to Capture Attention and Drive Engagement

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Capturing attention with a single image is both an art and a science.   (📷:henspark) E ffective composition is the backbone of a compelling image. The arrangement of lines, shapes, and subjects can literally lead the viewer’s gaze through the photo.  For instance, placing your main subject along the “rule of thirds” gridlines or at their intersections creates a dynamic balance that naturally draws attention . Similarly, using leading lines (like roads, fences, or tree branches) can actively guide the eye toward the focal point of the image . In fact, eye-tracking research confirms that images with strong leading lines hold viewers’ attention longer and score higher in visual appeal . '9 photo composition tips (feat. Steve McCurry)' ▶️3m09s Framing  is another classic technique: shoot through an archway, window, or natural opening so that your subject sits within a “frame” inside the photo . This not only adds depth but also pulls focus to the subject. Likewise, balan...
Location: Australia
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The Evolving News Landscape: Insights from Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2025

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Understanding how people get news has never been more crucial.   (📷:foto.wuestenigel) T he Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2025 shows a sharp shift away from traditional media toward social networks and video platforms for news . Across most countries, fewer people report regularly using TV, print, or news websites, while many more now rely on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and the like. For example, about one-third of respondents globally use Facebook (36%) or YouTube (30%) each week to get news.  Other social apps also play a major role: roughly 19% turn to Instagram and 19% to WhatsApp for news, and TikTok (16%) is already ahead of X/Twitter (12%). These many “mini-newspapers” on our phones and feeds mean news consumption is more fragmented than ever. In fact, the study notes that six different online platforms now reach at least 10% of people weekly with news – up from just two platforms a decade ago . (📷:reuters) The United States illustrates this change most starkly....
Location: Australia
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