OPENING HEARTS
Fourth International SEAL Conference in Argentina - February 15-16-17, 2002

Mariana P. Diggs

Mariana is an ESL/EFL teacher with ten years experience of teaching in companies. In addition a performing, jazz and blues singer teaching Singing. Mixing work with play she has been working for ten years with her musical experience to enhance the listening abilities of teachers and learners alike.

Smooth Sound Singing: Teach your students how to understand complex recordings on their own.

We, teachers, are able to make out words we do not know the meaning of in movies, sit-coms and songs. This seems to be a magic process but, in fact, it is not. Having analysed the way my mind finds its way towards the right word, I have devised a method to make this a conscious process that can be taught. The good thing of it all is that students enhance their listening skills and obtain a great sense of achievement.

In my workshop I explained "The 6 S's Listening Method"; a technique that empowers students to work out difficult parts in any kind of LC material.

After a brief explanation of the theory, we went down to brass tacks and started working hands-on. The material - a song in this case - was selected to pose a challenge to the teachers. In this way they got the real feeling of being "students" and their mood reflected all the different stages students go through when facing a task that seems insurmountable. I could sense they first were at a loss and afraid of being wrong, then they became curious and interested in how I, playing the role that would be theirs in class, would guide them towards the solution. Little by little, they got involved in the story and interest increased. They started identifying the steps to be followed and THEY WORKED IT OUT !!!!!!

Once again, I had this wonderful feeling of joy that I experience each and every time one of my students jumps out of happiness and self-confidence laughing and crying.

Mariana reports:

It has taken me some time to process the HUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE tons of wisdom and love that I received during those amazingly moving four days. It's weird but it feels so good; remember "Story Time" ( during Adrian's workshop on story telling )? OK, I would call this "Conference Time". A special dimension running in parallel with reality. Yes, "Conference Time". It's been only through art that I have experienced the same kind of feeling and I am grateful to you for allowing us - me- to indulge in this little oasis every now and then. (How I wish it were more "now" than "then"!!!!)

Thank you Vero, thank you Vivian!!!!!, thank you Mercedes, thank you Terry, thank you Grace, thank you Susan. Thank you ALL!!! I am so proud of being Argentinian!!!!!!!!!!!