Resources, activities, lesson plans and ideas for the TEFL classroom.
When we train as English language teachers, testing is often one of the parts of the job that doesn’t get much attention. So here’s a guide to how, why and when we test our students, and how to do it well.
This is a one hour lesson suitable for intermediate level learners. It uses a listening text to set the context for eliciting the target language.
How can we improve on tasks like ‘Listen to the conversation and identify the main topic’ to make them more personalised and interactive? Here’s one idea.
This activity needs minimal preparation and can be used as a filler, as written practice of a grammar point or to practise writing in different genres.
Use this activity at elementary level upwards, either as a warmer or as a practice activity for forming yes/no questions, reported questions or narrative tenses.
Here’s an intermediate level Bond-based lesson plan using scenes from Casino Royale, focusing on ‘so that…’ and ‘infinitives of purpose’.
Designing effective learning requirements requires a clear understanding of, and attention to, both commonalities and differences in the learners and the learning.
In order to acquire language, learners need a source of natural communication. Unfortunately, with adult students, a quick look at current methodologies clearly shows that communication is set aside, neglected or even disregarded.
How do adults acquire a second language, and what can we learn from this as ESL teachers?
What are the pros and cons of using authentic versus graded material in the second language classroom?
There are reasons both for and against having bilingual TEFL teachers. Here are some arguments on each side.
Should we be teaching grammar implicitly, in context and communicatively, or explicitly, with rules-based grammar lessons? Or is a combination of the two the most effective way?
