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Jan 2016A perfect ESL conversation
I’d like you to look back at your past experiences as a student. What were the best memories you had about those classes?What could you do to recreate them in your classroom? Personally, my best memories are the ones where I had the most fun. When the teacher thought outside the box and did something different and challenging for a change. It wasn’t so much the…
08
Jan 2016Teaching Taboo Subjects
When I first started teaching I found myself teaching an activity about relationships to normally out-going group of students. Less than a minute into the discussion one student announced that she did not want me to ask her any questions as she had recently ended a relationship and was too upset to talk about the subject. It was obviously an awkward moment and I mentioned this to…
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Dec 2015What you need to ask yourself before creating ESL activities
Creating ESL activities can sometimes be frustrating, at least that’s the case in my life. I sometimes find myself in need for inspiration, so I google some conversation topics that might interest the students, or that’s what I think. I start working on the activity until I feel that it is perfect, I submit my activity and wait for the day when I get to…
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Sep 2015Use of videos to teach topic activities in an ESL class
A great benefit of being able to use the internet in the classroom is the ability to draw on it for some excellent, previously inaccessible resources for learning. Perhaps most notably, the use of videos in a class can prove to be extremely useful. But, as with all things, there is a right and a wrong way to do it. So what should the standards…
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Sep 2015Controversial Topics: How to Approach Them in the ESL Classroom
Every one of us has at one time, in the classroom or outside of it, felt that sinking feeling – somebody in the group says a controversial topic, and that point is met by a wall of uncomfortable silence. Or worse, by a thunder of bristled opposition. Discussing hot-button issues can often be tricky, but it is important not to skirt away from doing it….
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Jul 2015TEFL Myths
As with a lot of professions, there are preconceived notions when it comes to TEFL (both good and bad) that aren’t necessarily true. I have listed below a few TEFL myths and the reasoning behind why they are just that. FACT: Although it does help your chances of gaining employment as a TEFL teacher, it certainly isn’t a requirement that you were born and raised…
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Jun 2015ESL teaching and the Internet. The virtual classroom
ESL teaching and the Internet – From Apple’s iPod to Google’s driver-less cars, technology is playing a massive role in the 21st century. This is not to say that it is the solution to 21st century education, but simply a tool to aid education and learning and, although it can be a great tool, any learning concerning technology should be based around the theme and objectives…
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Jun 2015Is grammar important?
Learning a second language essentially consists of ‘Reading’, ‘Listening’ and ‘Speaking’. ‘Writing’ isn’t particularly necessary unless the student expresses that they want to learn to write and, even then, it can be learned quite easily once the speaking and reading have been mastered. So, is grammar important? Grammar is important because it is the language that makes it possible for us to talk to one…
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Jun 2015Icebreakers for the ESL classroom
An icebreaker is a game, activity or event which is often used to welcome new people into a group or to help start group work and conversation. The idea is that the icebreaker will help everyone involved feel as comfortable as possible with one another especially when participants do not know each other. It should be used as a way of introducing yourself if this…
02
Jun 2015How to get students talking and enjoy the experience
How to get students talking in English is one of the biggest challenges if you are a new TEFL teacher. There will be times during your experience as a teacher where a student finds it difficult to openly talk and if you can’t encourage them to do so, neither of you will be be going anywhere fast so, let’s see how to get students talking….