Speaking Events

Presentations and Workshops

For almost 30 years, Randall has spoken to teachers around the world on a broad landscape of topics including educational technology, language assessment, various instructional methodologies, human connection and authenticity, and the grief experienced with loss and death. Contact Randall if you are interested in having him speaking at your institution or event in 2021-2022.

Here are some of his presentations:

Bolivia English Teachers’ Association – 25th International Virtual Convention for English Teachers, January 6-9, 2021.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BETABoliviaTesolIatefl

Web Site: https://www.betabolivia.org/

Plenary Title: Reimagining the Traditional Paradigm of Professional Development

Download Handout: HERE

Summary:

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many teachers around the world have felt disconnected, unprepared, and upended in their work because this global situation has fractured many of the traditional ways of teaching and learning. As a result, teachers have struggled to find a future place for themselves in a profession with limited opportunities to engage in meaningful professional development in a remote environment. That said, great creativity and innovation can blossom amid disruption and chaos. In response to this great educational upheaval, Randall explains how old ways of doing professional development must give way to new paradigms of support for our profession to not only survive, but thrive in today’s world. To this end, Randall proposes three fundamental changes to his work that reflect this new vision for the future.

Best Practices Session: New Twists, Tricks, and Tools to Enhance Your Online Lessons

Download Handout: HERE

Summary:

With online learning becoming the backbone of instruction around the world, teachers are trying to come up with new ways of enhancing their teaching and the learning experience. Unfortunately, teachers often have very little training on how to maximize the potential of online instruction and feel lost on how to navigate these uncharted waters. In response to this, Randall introduces a potpourri of tools, tips, and secrets on (1) running an engaging online class through popular Web-conferencing platforms, (2) choosing microphones, green screens, and Webcams to create quality classroom content, and (3) creating meaningful language assessment strategies to access students’ skills.

UPCOMING in June 2021: International Congress of Foreign Languages, Monterrey, Mexico

Title: How Online Learning Can Retool Minds and Reshape Hearts

Web Site: http://www.cilex.mx

Facebook Live Tampico MEXTESOL – Professional Development Event, August 7, 2020

Title: Building Human Connection and Collaboration Through Online Communities

Broadcast Video (My part starts at around 2:06): View Video

TESOL 2020 Virtual Convention & English Language Expo, July 16–18, 2020

Title: Flipgrid.com + Smart Phones = Effective Speaking Assessment

Web Site: https://www.tesol.org/conventiononline2020/schedule-at-a-glance/prerecorded-sessions

Keynote Address: International Language Fair 2019, Guadalajara, Mexico

Title: When Being Wrong Leads to More Empathy and Better Teaching

Randall’s Article: PDF | HTML

Keynote Address: ThaiTESOL 2018, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Title: Embracing and Celebrating Imperfection on the Road to Better Teaching

Presentation: TESOL 2017, Seattle, Washington, USA

Title: Maximizing technology in high- and low-resource environments

Keynote Address: MexTESOL 2016, Monterrey, Mexico

Title: Finding New Pathways in a Dynamically-Changing Profession

He has given such lectures and workshops in the US, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia, and you are welcome to e-mail Randall if you are interested in such a presentation.

Here are more titles of presentations that he has given as an invited or plenary speaker:

Searching the Internet with a Backhoe, not a Toothpick. TESOL. New York City, New York.
Creating Listening Activities That Work. TEFL Conference for School Teachers. Trujillo, Peru.
Fostering Cross-cultural Understanding via Simulations. Korea TESOL Conference: Technology in Education. Kyong-ju, Korea.
Friend or Foe: Technology in the Language Classroom. National Autonomous University of Mexico. Mexico City, Mexico.
Ten Keys to Effective Speaking Assessment. TESOL. Daring to Lead, Tampa, Florida.
Appraising Language Skills Development Through Alternative Assessment. Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Here are some of the other themes of his teacher training:

demonstrating innovative activities for teaching all language skills, with special emphasis on listening, speaking, pronunciation, grammar
developing assessment tools, including classroom achievement and program placement tests
using video (commercial messages, movies, sitcoms, and student productions) to improving listening, speaking, and oral grammar skills
using technology, specifically digital voice recorders and MP3 players, to assessing students’ speaking skills
teaching students to develop cross-cultural awareness through engaging simulation activities and games
developing ESL/EFL Web sites for self-access learning
explaining the importance of soft skills (e.g., self-reflection, empathy, leadership, listening, and compassion) in language instruction
teaching effective techniques for searching and researching information on the Internet for academic purposes
creating audio and video language-learning content for the Internet