Conference Schedule
General Schedule
Italy TESOL at Liceo Bisazza
March 18, 2025
8:30-9:00 Registration
9:00-9:30: Juan Manual Benitez, Columbia University School of Journalism (Plenary)
Breaking Barriers: The Power of English in My Career
This presentation will explore how learning English has been a pivotal force in the presenter's life, opening doors that once seemed unreachable. I will discuss the challenges of becoming bilingual and how mastering English allowed me to navigate the complexities of the New York media landscape. From their childhood in Spain and college days studying English Philology, to their TV news career and teaching at Columbia Journalism School, the presentation aims to inspire others to embrace language learning as a powerful tool for career success.
9:40-10:00: Ms. Kirsten Waechter, Tailored Trainings
Teaching English through Football
The future of English language education will see teachers focusing more on the learner’s situation, creating content, and providing activities that will help them in their learning journey. This workshop will explore some ideas for providing higher motivation in the ELT for learners, using the most popular sport on earth, that is football. Activities will be provided on how to use football in the classroom and during the school year, from teaching to presentations. Worksheets and activities will be provided.
10:00 - 10:20: Coffee break
10:20-10:40: Mr. Jesse Collum, Canyon Springs High School (Clark County School District)
Student Motivation for Credit-Deficient High Schoolers
Motivation is an essential ingredient in effective teaching and learning. It not only yields more positive behavior in students, but it also contributes to a greater sense of well-being. This presentation will demonstrate how to motivate students who need to make up credits in order to graduate high school.
10:45-11:15: Dr. B. Bricklin Zeff, Hokkai-Gakuen University & Dr. Philip S. Riccobono, Canyon Springs High School (Clark County School District)
‘Run, Hide, Fight’: A Corpus-Driven Analysis of Negotiating Life in a Gun Culture
This presentation explores the linguistic and pragmatic landscape surrounding American gun culture through a corpus-driven analysis of guidance related to the crucial circumstance of dealing with an active shooter. The study reveals key vocabulary and expressions frequently associated with living amidst firearms. First, the presenters introduce and explain relevant corpus-derived terms, providing insight into the language used to discuss gun-related issues; then will demonstrate how these linguistic elements are employed in a teaching context, utilizing pragmatic approaches to introduce and analyze their usage and implications. This session aims to equip Italian high school teachers with valuable insights into this aspect of American culture and language.
11:15-12:30 | Break
12:40-13:05: Ms. Deborah Antonino, Canyon Springs High School (Clark County School District)
English Language Learner (ELL) Students with Disabilities and Accommodations
Accommodations for English language learners (ELLs) with disabilities help students access instruction and assessments while generating valid results. These accommodations aim to reduce the effects of a student's disability or language proficiency without lowering learning expectations. This session equips Italian high school teachers with insights into making these accommodations. It explores the unique challenges faced by ELL students with disabilities and examines tailored support strategies, emphasizing culturally responsive practices that promote equitable access, enhance academic performance, and foster social integration.
13:15-13:35: Dr. Louis Grillo, Canyon Springs High School (Clark County School District)
We The People: Engaging Activities in Civic Education through a U.S. Constitution Competition
We the People, the Citizen and the Constitution Program is a nationwide initiative that enhances civic education for U.S. students through interactive learning and simulated congressional hearings. This presentation will discuss how the presenter's chapter, which they have advised for 22 years, has competed successfully at local, state, and national levels. The presenter will introduce attendees to activities that promote critical thinking skills, presentation skills, debate skills, and civic education, all related to the U.S. Constitution.
13:45-14:10: Mr. Adam Canfield, Canyon Springs High School (Clark County School District)
Cultivating Local Talent: The Homegrown Teacher Program
The Homegrown Teacher Program addresses Nevada's critical teacher shortage by cultivating local high school students' interest in education careers through targeted mentorship and professional development. By supporting 50 students at Canyon Springs High School, the initiative creates a sustainable pipeline of educators committed to serving their community. This presentation will provide a comprehensive blueprint of the program's design, implementation strategies, and early outcomes, offering conference attendees a replicable model for addressing teacher recruitment challenges in urban school districts.
Special Workshop March 19, 2025
9:00-10:30: Dr. B. Bricklin Zeff, Hokkai-Gakuen University
Tactics to Enhance Reading Skills in the Language Classroom
Using online resources, as well as ready-made materials, teachers can bring fun and useful skills into the language classroom. Teachers can and should allow the free choice of reading implementing what is called Self-selected reading but also small groups can read the same book or article and form a reading circle to discuss elements of the story to further enhance comprehension of not only the story, but also discussion techniques in regard to plot, setting, and culture. In this presentation, implementing the use of self-selected reading in an EFL classroom is discussed as well as other ways to give students opportunities to use reading as a way to further their language learning experience. Activities for improving reading skills will be introduced that use both online and in class resources. Also, the relationship between second language reading and incidental vocabulary acquisition (Waring & Nation, 2004) will be discussed.
Keywords: Extensive Reading, Language acquisition, Self-selected Reading, Vocabulary
Presenter Bios
Juan Manuel Benítez is a journalist and the Philip S. Balboni Professor of Local Journalism at Columbia University, specializing in politics, urban affairs, and bilingual reporting. Born in Spain, his journey mastering English shaped his career, allowing him to navigate newsrooms, classrooms, and the stories that define New York City.
Kirsten Waechter has been a business English and intercultural trainer based in Germany since 1998. She has designed her own materials in this field and provides teacher training, too. She divides her time between Germany, Scotland and Sweden.
Jesse Collum has been teaching high school science since 1995. He has also coached basketball, track, and cross country. Currently, Mr. Collum serves as a specialist in credit recovery, ensuring students make up lost credits to graduate on time.
Dr. B. Bricklin Zeff holds a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics from Hokkaido University, Japan. His research specializes in interlanguage pragmatics, speech act theory, and politeness strategies in second language acquisition. With over 35 years of experience teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL), he is an Associate Professor at Hokkai-Gakuen University in Sapporo, Japan.
Dr. Philip Riccobono holds a Ph.D. from Kyung Hee University in South Korea and is an educator, author, and former professional baseball scout with over two decades of experience in teaching and curriculum development. He has taught English language learners across the US and Asia, leveraging his expertise in English for Specific Purposes and corpus linguistics to develop practical, sports-related language materials. Recently, he's embraced the role of school librarian in North Las Vegas, where he passionately encourages students to produce podcasts in the library makerspace and organizes speaker series events to enrich their learning experiences.
Deb Antonino is a passionate educator in special education with 41 years of teaching experience. Over her career, she has coached both Men’s and Women’s Varsity Soccer, earning four State Championships during her 21 years in that role. She has also dedicated 20 years to teaching Home Bound students, providing education to those unable to attend school due to illness.
Dr. Louis Grillo, born in Brooklyn, New York, is a St. John's University graduate with over 37 years in education. He has been a three-time nominee for Social Studies Teacher of the Year and the 2001 Coca-Cola Scholar Teacher of Distinction for Nevada, while also leading 23 teams in the We The People: The Citizen and the Constitution competition and earning a Doctorate of Christian Education in 2009.
Adam Canfield, born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, is the son of a mother who dedicated 37 years to teaching in the Clark County School District. A former high school soccer player who earned a full-ride college scholarship, he began his educational career in 2003 by opening Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada where he taught Social Studies and served as Head Coach for both the Men’s and Women’s Soccer Teams. He later became Assistant Principal over curriculum at Foothill High School in 2019, Assistant Principal over Magnet Programs at Canyon Springs High School in North Las Vegas, and ultimately, Principal of Canyon Springs High School in 2024.
Gary Schoolfield, a retired U.S. Army soldier and former Military Science instructor for grades 9-12, brings 15 years of teaching experience to his role as the first Career Coach of the Homegrown Teacher program. His leadership and dedication to education continue to inspire students and support the development of future educators.