In the first of a series of 3, focused on preparing students for exams, Olha Madylus shares her top activities for preparing young learners for tests. The YLE tests are designed to test children’s ability to understand and respond appropriately to English, not to test their knowledge of English grammar rules. The tests fit perfectly … Read more
People learn a new language for all sorts of reasons – to work or study in another country, move abroad, or simply for pleasure. No matter the motivation, many students find that the experience of studying a new language enriches their lives. But did you also know a language changes your brain at a physical … Read more
Find out how the educational landscape will be affected by VR and emerging edtech, and what this will mean for teachers and learners. Set against a backdrop of vast improvements in connectivity, smartphone ownership and 5G technology, it is no surprise that the edtech industry has caught the attention of investors. Valued at $254.8 billion … Read more
Do you teach English online? Here’s our guide to the seven best digital teaching tools for your online ESL classroom. Teaching English language learners online has risen over the past couple of years – and this trend seems likely to continue. Virtual classes can be just as rewarding as face-to-face lessons. But there are some … Read more
Collaborative learning is a powerful classroom tool. It can take many forms, from classroom games, to project work, to team building activities. Any English language learning activity where students work together in groups provides an opportunity to use it. The activities you choose have to be carefully designed so that students are working together to … Read more
Lawrence J. Zwier is an Associate Director of the English Language Center, Michigan State University. He has taught ESL/EFL at universities in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, and the US Larry is the author of numerous ELT textbooks, mostly about reading and vocabulary, and also writes non-fiction books about history and geography for middle school … Read more
A helpful blog post about how technology can be integrated into the ESL classroom, with links to research and studies, to help teachers know what works. If you’ve taught English as a second language (ESL) for a few years, you’ll have noticed changes in how educational technology, or edtech, is used. Things like tablets, gamification, … Read more
Every student who sets out on a journey to learn English as a second language will face a series of challenges. Some will be common to other language learners, others will be more personal in nature. The question is, what are some of the most common language learning challenges? And, how can you help your … Read more
There’s a good chance you know power skills by another name. Traditionally called “soft skills”, they include competencies such as leadership, problem solving, and creativity. Now, they have undergone something of a rebrand. The impressive new name means these key skill sets are finally getting the recognition they deserve. In a world where the global … Read more
Teachers all around the world have one thing in common – a desire to help their students learn. Many note the satisfaction of seeing light bulbs ping above the learners heads as they grasp a difficult concept. There’s also the knowledge that the skills you help your students develop will last a lifetime, staying with … Read more