UsingEnglish.com

Topic: Learning and Teaching

Time management for ESL teachers problems and solutions

Explore time management strategies for English teachers, focusing on efficient lesson planning, marking assignments, handling administrative tasks, and balancing personal life.

Teaching three students problems and solutions

How to deal with the most awkward number of students in a class

Using body language and gestures to teach grammar

Ways for teacher and students to use their bodies to present and practise grammatical forms such as tenses, modal verbs and passive voice

The most effective error correction games

Error correction activities that aren't a waste of class time.

The best picture books for ESL young learners, and what to do with them

The top children's books for practising typical EFL language points, with interactive classroom activities for each picture book.

The bluffer's guide to level checking

A quick guide to putting someone in the right level, giving a good impression, and finding out other vital information as you do so.

Fitting learner training into your syllabus

Making sure that students find out the best ways to improve their English outside the classroom without needing to diverge from your class's curriculum, with many ideas for interactive classroom activities on the topic of language learning.

21 negotiating in English games

Games for presentation, intensive practice and freer practice of useful phrases for this most difficult and critical of Business English skills.

15 ways to teach English with blocks and stacking games

Stacking blocks and other things like plastic kitchen sets to practise numbers, basic maths, times, days of the week, months, dates, the alphabet, phonics, colours, basic questions and answers, shapes, prepositions of position, requests and offers.

21 classic ESL card games

Well-known and "new classic" multipurpose card games for teaching English to adults and children.

Teaching English to Students with Learning Difficulties (LDs)

How to teach ESL to to students with Learning Difficulties

First lessons for Academic Writing classes

Starting courses for people who need to write essays and academic papers in English.

The ESP approach - Theory and reality of needs analysis and course design

Adapting the nice ideas of needs analysis and course design to the situations we actually teach in.

30 ways to get ahead in ELT publishing

Tips for getting an advantage in the very competitive field of writing about English language teaching.

70 easy TEFL articles that anyone could write at least one of

Explore a comprehensive list of 70 potential topics for articles about teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), ranging from historical perspectives to practical classroom strategies and theoretical critiques.

How to write and publish TEFL articles

The process by which you can go about writing and publishing articles on teaching English as a foreign language.

Getting published in TEFL (Part 2): Why, what, where, and how

Reasons why everyone in TEFL should publish at least something, then how to choose what to do and to go about doing it.

Getting writing work from ELT publishers

Four ways of getting to the point of being paid to write for publishers of English language teaching materials, with a detailed examination of two of them.

How to Teach English for Engineers

A short guide to the why, what and how of teaching students studying or working in technical areas.

Brainstorming in EFL - problems and solutions

Making brainstorming more useful and fun

Boosting students' confidence in the teacher

Ways of helping students learn by helping them learn to trust the teacher.

Teaching Travel English

Tips for teaching learners who will be travelling

A well-balanced use of stand-up and sit-down activities in a kids' EFL Class

Here are some pointers to help you judge whether you have got the right balance of sit down and moving around activities in your classes, and then some tips on how to think about making changes.

A well-balanced use of warmers and fillers

Some tips on checking if you have got the use of warmers and fillers just right, and what you can do about it if you haven't.

Handling clashes in demands

What to do when the demands of the student and the person paying for the classes clash

The advantages and disadvantages of blind observations

What are the advantages and disadvantages of "blind observation"- when someone checks everything but the lesson itself?

A well-balanced use of pairwork

Some ways of spotting if you have been able to draw the fine line between too much pairwork and not enough, and ways of planning lessons that include whatever you decide is the perfect amount

Checklist for English Conversation Schools

A checklist for English conversation schools if you're teaching kids for the first time

Planning a kindergarten English first lesson

Factors to include and think about when planning your first pre-school English class

Preparing for your first preschool English class

This article gives some tips to make sure you are prepared and are able to go into your first preschool English class with the confidence of knowing that you are really ready.

Preparing for your first Business or ESP class

Although most people who become specialist Business English or ESP (English for Specific Purposes, such as Medical English or Financial English) teachers enjoy it and its professional benefits so much they never look back, the first time you face students

Very Young Learner First Lesson Problems and Solutions

How to start the new school year when teaching very young learners

The big list of ending the lesson language

Useful phrases to end ESL classes

The big list of classroom language for playing games

Useful words and phrases for using games in the ESL classroom

The big list of language for talking about lessons

This list could be useful for talking or writing about classes that are shared (e.g. between an Assistant Language Teacher and the regular classroom teacher), for writing handover notes, and for job interviews and initiation periods.

Video tasks for specific language points and skills

A selection of ideas for using video to teach specific grammar points and language skills

Combining history topics and English grammar

Activities suitable for English through History classes, CLIL classes, as supplementary activities when there are historical topics in an EFL textbook, or as grammar practice

The advantages and disadvantages of eliciting in the EFL classroom

The advantages and disadvantages of eliciting in the EFL classroom… and how to exploit them

Why did my foolproof activity just fail with that class?

Why did my foolproof activity just fail with that class? … and how to make sure it works again next time.

Classroom language when doing listenings

Explore the intricacies of classroom language for English teachers, focusing on the vocabulary and actions associated with audio equipment and listening exercises.

Classroom language when using the board

Useful classroom language for teachers while using the board

Classroom Language

Useful classroom language for ESL teachers for starting lessons

Preparing to teach your first EFL exam class

What you should do before teaching an EFL exam class for the first time.

A well balanced use of L1 in class

Using students' first languages in the classroom

A well balanced use of error correction

Error correction in the EFL classroom

Drilling - Judicious Use of Brute Force in the ESL Classroom

How to use drilling when presenting or practicing new language, when preparing for an impending exam or to hammer out bad habits (including choral drills, interactive drills, substitution drills, transformation drills and drilling using flash cards)

Why your students don't want to do pairwork

Students are often less keen on pairwork than their teachers

Why your students still make mistakes with grammar they know well

A look at a common and frustrating issue

The advantages and disadvantages of peer observations

What are the advantages and disadvantages of peer observations?

Things to put in a Self Access Centre or Student Library

Explore practical tips on establishing and enhancing a Self-Access Centre (SAC) or student library, considering budget constraints and space limitations often faced by English language schools.

Why do my students question me?

Who's in charge in the classroom? Exploring the challenges English teachers face when students doubt their expertise, and strategies to overcome these issues, from changing teaching approaches to demonstrating qualifications and experience.

Why your students have problems with listening comprehension

A look at why learners may find listening difficult, including eleven potential reasons for these difficulties, along with strategies to overcome them.

Why your students speak L1 in class

Some reasons why students speak their own language in English classes

Why your students don't do their homework

Reasons for students not doing their homework, with suggestions to deal with the problem

Setting up workshops for teachers

Some tips on how you can make workshops work well

Setting up a TEFL certificate course- Advantages & Disadvantages

The pros and cons of setting up a TEFL certificate course, including financial implications, space requirements, time management, staff recruitment, and morale considerations.

Setting up a TEFL certificate course

Personal experiences of setting up a TEFL certificate course, including choosing a course provider, preparing your teachers, and ensuring adequate resources.

Teacher Training -Grammar Based PPP

How to prepare an English conversation lesson for a holistic, structural, four-skills syllabus: an article for new teachers or those unfamiliar with grammar-based syllabus or the PPP model of lesson planning (Present, Practice, Produce).

How to break into teacher training

Challenges and strategies for teachers aspiring to become teacher trainers, including practical advice on how to gain relevant experience and increase chances of securing a teacher training role.

The perfect job reference for a teacher trainer

How to get a decent reference for a position as teacher trainer

The perfect CV and cover letter for an EFL exam class teacher

The CV for those specialising in ESL examinations

The perfect CV and cover letter for a TEFL young learners teacher

What you need to include if you are applying to teach young learners

The perfect CV and cover letter for an EFL manager

Tips for writing a CV for a Director of Studies position

The perfect CV and cover letter for a teacher trainer

How to secure a job as a teacher trainer

The perfect CV and cover letter for a Business English teacher

What employers are looking for in a Business English teacher, including the qualifications required, the importance of a well-crafted CV, and how to leverage relevant experience and hobbies.

Making textbook listenings manageable and fun

Tips for handling listening activities

The perfect CV and cover letter for a TEFL teacher

Tips for securing a good English teaching job abroad, understanding the importance of a well-crafted CV, and learning how to enhance your qualifications and experience to stand out in a competitive market.

Getting published in TEFL (Part 1): Choosing a route

A look at the options available to get published in the field of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). This guide discusses seven main routes, their advantages and disadvantages, and offers insights into working with different types of publishers.

Career Paths in ELT Publishing: Part Two

How an ESL teacher can get into publishing (part 2). Explore the journey of an ESL teacher transitioning into the ELT publishing world, highlighting the importance of networking, workshops, and showcasing ideas.

Testing and reviewing new EFL materials

This article is based on a workshop entitled "Testing and Reviewing New Materials" given by Alex Case at the Tokyo Expo/ Tokyo ELT Book Fair

Tips for the automated teacher

Challenges and strategies for maintaining self-motivation and novelty in the teaching profession, particularly for English language educators.

Career Paths in ELT Publishing: Part One

How an ESL teacher can get into publishing (part 1). Explore the challenges and potential career progression paths for TEFL teachers, particularly those interested in writing for English language teachers and students.

Teaching Abroad

Are you thinking about teaching abroad? If you are, then this article might just help you out.

Using songs with young learners

Explore the significance of incorporating songs in teaching English to young learners, including the benefits it offers in memory retention, classroom management, and language comprehension.

Motivational Orientation in English Language Learning

A study of Iranian undergraduate students' motivational orientation in English language learning

Japanese Passivity

A View of Japanese Student Passivity

Whose Needs Are We Serving?

How Is The Design Of Curriculum For English For Medical Purposes Decided?

Lesson Plan: How old are you? I'm a (number)

A lesson plan to teach young learners: How old are you? I'm a (number)

The other side of the mirror

ESL students offer their opinions of good language teaching.

Creating a quality language test

Explore the characteristics of effective language tests, their impact on learning, and the importance of testing the four major skill areas. The article also discusses the communicative approach versus traditional testing methods.

Quotations for Motivation in the ESL Classroom

A look at how quotations can be used in the ESL classroom to motivate students.

Rhymes and Crafts

Using rhymes and crafts in the ESL classroom

Teaching Speaking & Conversation

Explore the complexities of conversation as a skill, its influence on teaching methods, and the various strategies to facilitate oral production and overcome conversational difficulties.

Teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP)

How is English for Specific Purposes (ESP) different from English as a Second Language (ESL), also known as general English?

Technical Writing & Communication: What & Why?

Explore the crucial role of technical communication in engineering education, its practical applications, and the need for improving these skills for professional success.

Video in EFL Classrooms

How to develop video materials for EFL classes

Debate on Culture in English as a foreign language classrooms

What role does culture play in the foreign or second language classroom

Teaching English in Afghanistan

Explore the importance of English language education in Afghanistan's reconstruction, focusing on the need for a culturally relevant curriculum, the incorporation of social issues into learning, and effective teaching strategies.

Get PAID for Teaching in China

Explore the experiences and insights of a foreign English teacher in ChengDu, China, including salary negotiations, contract details, and strategies for maximizing income.

Importance of the English Language

A look at the importance of English in India and the world.

Changing The Paradigm For Medical English Language Teaching

Medical English should be taught from the perspective of medicine and health care first and foremost while reinforcing vocabulary acquisition, grammar and structure secondly.

Not the best way to teach English

A look at the traditional grammar-translation method used in Pakistan, highlighting its focus on grammar rules and translation, while neglecting speaking and listening skills.

Expressing Wishes

A role-playing activity where students use a "magic wand" to grant wishes related to categories like appearance, wealth, and happiness. This interactive method aids in understanding the concept better.

Picture-Perfect Learning: The Role of Photographs in Teaching English

Thoughts on the educational value of photography in English classes as a means to spark discussion and encourage students in producing language.

Teaching the dangers of intolerance

This supplementary lesson on Anne Frank teaches students about intolerance and the past tenses. It includes materials such as a world map, pictures, and Anne Frank's diary.

Exploring Body Language in English Teaching Techniques

The physical body is a valuable tool for teaching English to young learners. By using gestures, emotions, actions, movement, voice, and eye contact, students can quickly understand and respond to language.

Realia

How and when to use realia, which consists of actual objects or items or facsimiles thereof, which are used in the classroom to illustrate and teach vocabulary or to serve as an aid to facilitate language acquisition and production.

Unseen Hurdles: Managing Culture Shock in Teaching English Abroad

Culture shock! Whether you like it or not it's going to happen to you or it's happening to you at this moment.

Confronting Xenophobia: A Personal Narrative of Teaching English in Asia

My experience and personal thoughts and feelings on the matter of xenophobia

A reflection on lesson planning for young learners

Some colleagues had asked me for some tips on teaching elementary school children English as a Foreign Language. Here's what I said.

Hand made interview/conversational board games

A recipe for humanising language teaching

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