About Me
Hi and you are reading my, Özge Karaoğlu’s, blog right now…
I am a 30+ year old English teacher, a freelance teacher trainer and educational consultant in teaching young/very young learners + teaching with web based technologies; for international organizations, schools and institutes in Istanbul,Turkey. I am currently working at a private school as an EFL teacher in kindergarten and enjoying every minute of it.
I am the writer of “Minigon” ELT book series that aims at teaching English to young/very young learners through stories.The illustrations of the books were made by the most famous caricaturist Erdil Yaşaroğlu in Turkey. I have also written the songs and composed two of them. The songs were sung by three different famous singers. My book series are being taught at many leading schools in Turkey. I’m also working as the educational coordinator of “Creative Ideas Team” at Magenta Publishing and Media.
I have also written a “Parents Guide” for parents to help their kids to improve their English through activities and games.
I have been working as the educational content and story coordinator of “Yes I Speak English” DVD series that are designed to give EFL children a jump- start in English. I’m also the script and screenplay writer of these DVD series.
I have also worked as an ITDI Associate, Voki Ambassador , e-moderator for British Council’s ELT Sharepoint and an edtech blogger on Techlearning.
I’m the author of this blog where I write about teaching English through technology and Web 2.0 tools to help educators to develop themselves. My blog has been ranked in the 50 Best Blogs for Education Leaders, in the Top 50 Education Technology Blogs, in the Top 50 Blog for e-Learning Tools and Tips as well as nominated for different Edublogs Awards.
I have been awarded with “Creativity and Innovation Award” , “Microsoft Award for Outstanding Teachers” and “Highly Commended“ for the last past years. I have also been included to list of “101 Woman Blogger to Watch in 2011“.
I have recently been awarded with the “New Writing Award” by ESU and Cambridge University Press and been invited to Buckingham Palace to get my award from the Duke of Edinburg Prince Philip.
I have done many projects with my kids. I have led the projects where my kids have created the very first cartoon, very first digital games series and very first i-phone/i-pad application that are drawn, coloured, animated and dubbed by kindergarten children in the world.
You can find me posting on this blog or TechLearning with regular updates.
May 14th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Wow, what an impressive site (referred from Tech and Learning) and doubly impressive that you’re so young (20+?)! Keep up the great work!!!
August 13th, 2010 at 3:01 am
hi Özge, its nice to know a young lad like yourself is taking a pro-active approach and cares about teaching English to children from different parts of the world.
You have some interesting projects underway, I’m in China i have been here 1 year now, and its been the most amazing and eye awakening experience i hope to continue on developing on to another destination. after gaining good experiences here, just finding it difficult on where to head next. will be nice to know more on your background and how you got to where you are now.
take care
January 9th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
You’re a good example to follow, and we all are proud of you!
January 24th, 2011 at 8:09 am
hey Özge,
what a nice site you’ve prepared, congrats!
I totally appreciate what you did, you ‘ve done and you re doing in terms of teaching English to young learners and your very useful tips for teaching&learning English.
I also have a look at http://ozgekaraoglu.wikispaces.com/ but when I have more time, I’ll have a more detailed look.
I am also a 24 year old English teacher, graduated from Kocaeli University and getting prepared to begin my teaching career in a primary school.
looking forward to your new teaching tips
cheers,
Zeynep.
February 2nd, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Hello Özge,
I think what you are doing is simply awesome! You have an infectious and inspiring soul.
You are absolutely beautiful inside and out!
Keep it up!
Cheers,
Clifton
March 31st, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Hi Özge!
This is my 1st year of teaching and I work with young learners.. I thought it was really difficult when I first entered my class. I didn’t know what to do, tried to speak English, I couldn’t even look them in the eye.. Then I realized that teaching is not even close to being a good student in college..It is beyond that.. When I started to search a source of inspiration I found you!! and other inspirer educators like you!! I’ve learnt so much from you all!! decided to be a lifelong learner..
I just want to thank you for being a lifesaver and a good source of inspiration.
Hope we’ll meet one day..
It is great to follow you
Kindest regards and many thanks,
Busem
April 8th, 2011 at 6:01 am
Dear all,
Thanks for your nice words, they are all very much appreciated! I would like to thank your for your support and looking forward to meeting you f2f or online!!
April 24th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
hi özge,
I was in the depths of despair when I found your blog.I’m 23 year old teacher and this is my first year of teachıng.I want to work for a state school and change something there because things are geting worse each day.you made me think a little bit more about my future career…
you have created a good model for me;)
June 15th, 2011 at 12:24 am
Hi Äzge, this is a really great site and you are obviously doing great work. Congratulations! I have been to Istanbul 3 times ve Türkçe ögreniyorum … only problem is finding the time to practice speaking! Good luck and keep up the good work. Take care,
Fred
November 7th, 2011 at 10:21 am
Dear Özge,
thank you for the wonderful presentation you gave in Sava Center, Belgrade.
You provided us with lots of useful sites, and inspired us to use more technology in the process of English teaching.
Inşallah yakında tekrar sohbet edeceğiz
Sevgilerimle Dusica
November 9th, 2011 at 11:41 am
Hello,
I’m a development editor at Cambridge University Press. There’s a link to your Bubble and Pebble animation project on our company website today, and I just wanted to say that it was a joy to play it and hear those children speaking English! Well done, and best of luck to you!
Debbie