TEFL theory
Explore TEFL theory with insights grounded in classroom practice and research. Articles cover grammar approaches, testing, mixed-ability classes and learner-centred methods.
Should I Only Use English in the EFL Classroom?
When starting a career in TEFL, one of the most common questions teachers ask is: Should I only use English in the classroom, or is there a place for using students’ first language (L1) too?
Grammar Teaching: Implicit or Explicit?
Should grammar be taught implicitly through context, or explicitly with rules? Discover the benefits and drawbacks of each approach, and when to use them.
The Silent Period of Second Language Acquisition
There are five stages in the second language acquisition process, and the Silent Period is probably the most misunderstood, ignored or even unknown both by teachers and students.
How to Design Language Practice Activities That Actually Work
Language practice comes in many forms, but the real goal is to help students produce and use English with confidence.
10 Tips for Giving and Checking Instructions in an ESL Classroom
Here are 10 tips to help you give and check instructions clearly in your ESL classroom, keeping students engaged and activities running smoothly.
Language Acquisition Vs Language 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.
5 Common Mistakes English Teachers Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Are you guilty of any of these erroneous practices in ELT or language teaching?
9 Real Reasons Learners Struggle With Listening – and What You Can Do About Each
Nine common barriers to effective listening in English - and practical strategies teachers can use to help learners overcome them.
A Guide to Testing English Language Students
Testing often gets little attention in teacher training, yet it’s a key part of helping students progress. Here’s a clear guide to how, why, and when to test English learners, and how to do it well.
How to Make Your ESL Lessons More Learner-Centred
Make your ESL lessons more learner-centered with these 4 practical strategies and real classroom examples to engage students and personalise their learning.
How to Teach Mixed Ability Language Courses
One of the most difficult situations for a language teacher is a group with students of different levels, varying learning ability, or both. How do you design a lesson to meet all the varying needs?
Is Grammar Really Important for a Second Language Learner?
Should students be learning from exclusively grammar courses, communicative courses, or something in between? Is grammar important, and if so, why?
Which English Should You Teach? Understanding Standard English in ESL
Does anyone really speak a “pure” form of English anymore - and does it even matter? With so many varieties of English, the idea of a single, "correct" version is becoming harder to define. But as teachers, we still need to make choices about what we model and what we expect from our learners.
Language Acquisition in Adult Learners
How do adults acquire a second language, and what can we learn from this as ESL teachers?
