New Year's Activities
Are you wondering how you could celebrate the beginning of the new year with your students? That's a great opportunity to help your English learners to learn more about New Year’s festivities and traditions in in the U.K. and other English-speaking countries all over the world! So, how will your class say goodbye to the past year and hello to the new one?Student New Year's ResolutionsBrits have already started making plans and resolutions for the new year. Well, the new year is a great opportunity to make a change for the better and focus on new beginnings and goals. And it is believed that it all started with the ancient Babylonians (yes, the first New Year's Resolutions started in the ancient Babylonian Empire)! Have your students ever made any resolutions? Let's find out what they'll say! Give your English learners a few minutes to brainstorm and then ask them to talk about their resolutions. Explain that they should start with achievable goals, e.g. 'This year, I will read more books'. What is one thing they want to become better at? What about one bad habit they'd like to break?To add an element of fun, you can ask your students to jot down their resolutions on slips of paper. Collect the slips, read their resolutions aloud and have your students guess who wrote each one! So, what New Year resolutions will your students make? tip 💡 This activity is a great way to help your young students to revise or learn how to talk about their plans for the future. Have they understood the difference between 'will' and 'be going to'? Do they know that in some cases they should use the present simple or continuous? tip 💡 For older students, New Year's resolutions can be a matter for debate (and a great opportunity to sharpen their speaking skills!): Are New Year's resolutions worth making? Can you think of any reasons why we should stop making New Year's resolutions? Why are our resolutions usually rooted only in the latest health and self-improvement fads? What steps can we take to make sure we'll stick to our new goals?Highlights of the Past YearHave you ever thought that the beginning of a new year can be not only an opportunity to focus on new goals, but also a great reason to reflect on the past year? Users of social media are familiar with the 'Year in Review' concept that provides them with an overview of some of the key moments of the past year!What are your students' favourite moments and memories from the past year? Use the following questions to keep the conversation going: How would you describe this year in 3 words? What new skills did you learn? What was the best decision you made? What would you do differently if you could change the past? If you could write yourself a letter at the beginning of this year, what would you say?tip 💡 This activity is an opportunity to help your students to learn or revise how to use narrative tenses to talk about the past. You could also focus on comparative and superlative adjectives. For example, your students could talk about the happiest / best / worst / most important days of this year.Our Class CalendarShow your students a calendar template and encourage them to cooperate in order to create a unique, attention-grabbing class calendar for the new year. You could use it to jot down exam dates, special days and students' birthdays.Let your English learners get messy and crafty (all children and teenagers enjoy hands-on learning and creative activities) or take advantage of technology and encourage them to choose and use a free online template; no design skills are needed!tip 💡 Pick a spot in your classroom to hang your calendar up and create a positive learning place. A welcoming nook with a splash of colour, books, educational board games and a unique calendar can make a big difference! You can also add a large bulletin board, where your students’ projects on English culture will be pinned.New Year in English-speaking CountriesHow do people around the world celebrate the beginning of a new year? Have your students do some research and focus on teamwork to find out! Motivate and help your students with the following questions: What is Hogmanay? Where does a dark-haired stranger who crosses your threshold at midnight bring good luck? What do you know about the impressive fireworks display that takes place at the iconic Sky Tower in New Zealand? Why is Times Square the centre of the countdown to midnight in New York (U.S.A.)? What is the annual New Year's Eve watermelon drop in Indiana (U.S.A.)?tip 💡 This is a great way to help your students to work on the four Cs: Communication, Collaboration, Creativity & Critical thinking. At the end, you could ask them to reflect on their work. For example, you could ask some questions such as 'How effective was your contribution to the group work?'.What traditional ways of welcoming the New Year do you enjoy? If you have tried any other fun activities, let us know! Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Happy New Year!...
Self-care: The A-Z list for English Teachers
Being an English teacher can be exhausting, no matter if you are a new or an experienced educator. That's why learning how to avoid burnout is so important. After all, if you don't take of yourself, you can't take care of your students. It's like trying to drive without fuel in your car. You won't go anywhere, right? So, let's start from the very beginning. What is the first thing taught by all English teachers? The alphabet, of course. So, here's your A-Z list. Read on to find out how you can deal with stress and indulge in self-care.A is for ActsFirst of all, let's make it clear: small acts should always be at the top of your to-do list. Well, it's true that when we read the word 'self-care', we usually imagine big things such as a trip abroad. But what if we focused on simpler acts of self-care that don't require so much time, money or effort?B is for BoundariesWhen you feel stressed and overwhelmed by your schedule, the last thing you need is an extra duty or deadline. It’s true that many English teachers eventually experience burnout just because they work too hard. So, learn how to say no politely when you feel that you've been asked to do too much. Reduce your workload, set boundaries and get your priorities right.C is for ColleaguesThe people you work with on a daily basis can understand your everyday struggles and contribute to your job satisfaction. Having someone to support and encourage you is so much easier when you've built good relationships with your co-workers. If you are a private English teacher, join an online community of educators that face similar challenges and will be able to remind you that you're not alone. Well, that sense of relief when someone says 'I get it' is amazing!D is for DeclutteringDeclutter your workspace (your desk at home or your classroom). A disorganised and messy space can lead to a disorganised and messy mind. Recycle all these sheets of paper you don't need, put away those books that you use often and throw away all these things that aren't useful anymore. And put up a poster with a motivational quote. Just try it; you'll feel better, we promise!E is for ExpectationsMost teachers want to fix every little problem. We get it. But you do know that your expectations should be a little bit more reasonable, right? You can't be perfect (no one can)! And the quest for perfectionism usually leads to a sense of failure. Change your mindset and adjust your standards.F is for FlexibilityWhen teaching, some days may not go according to plan. And that's OK. Be flexible, learn how to expect the unexpected and accept that something you can't predict right now may send you completely off course. Embrace unexpected challenges as new opportunities for you and your students; in this way, you won’t just be a good English teacher but also a great role model.G is for GratitudeFeeling grateful can help! We all know that positive reinforcement is essential. But most of us tend to focus on the negative aspects of our daily lives. So, what would happen if we constantly reminded ourselves of the things we are grateful for? For example, you could jot down a list of all these things that make you proud of your teaching strategies and methods. You could also keep some positive notes from your students in a jar or folder; and take a look at those notes every time you feel underappreciated!H is for HormonesCan you boost the production of feel-good hormones? Yes, you can! Serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine and endorphins are your natural mood boosters. So, say yes to sunlight, exercise, meditation, a healthy diet, hugs and laughter... and increase the production of these much-needed hormones!I is for IndulgingTake a deliberate decision to indulge in something you like and that makes you happy from time to time. Just a bar of chocolate, a shopping spree or a massage (or whatever else won't break the bank) can be the special treat you need!J is for JournalHave you ever kept a diary? It really feels good to write down your thoughts and feelings. And journaling is just what you need if writing can de-stress you! So, the blank pages of a journal are waiting for you!K is for KickingFrom smoking and drinking too many cups of coffee to nail biting and hitting the snooze button too many times, we all have some bad habits that we should kick as soon as possible. We know; breaking unwanted habits can be difficult but being determined can ease the process.L is for LaughterAdding laughter to your day (and your ELT classroom) is great way to feel better. A fun podcast, a comedy, a laughter yoga session or just a good joke can lift your spirits instantly. So, it's true: laughter is the best (and cheapest) medicine!M is for MusicYou do know that music and singing can work wonders when it comes to stress, right? So, create a playlist that you find relaxing and uplifting... and sing your heart out! Bear in mind that while music preferences vary, classical music has been shown to help when we get the jitters.N is for NewNew teaching methods and strategies, a new certification, a new professional goal: everything that is new may reignite your passion for teaching!O is for OrganisationEnglish teachers who are very organised at work are always calmer - need we say more?P is for PlanningDon't wait until the last minute to plan your lessons. For example, if you always wait till the end of the weekend to get organised, then you won't avoid the infamous Sunday blues (and you will never look forward to Mondays!). So, have your ducks in a row; plan ahead and your efforts will be rewarded!Q is for QuietAs a credit card ad would say, quiet time is always priceless! Find at least 5-10 minutes to get some much-needed quiet whenever you feel stressed.R is for RoutineSelf-care should not be a ritual you indulge in occasionally. It must be something you do every day. It must be something that becomes part of your routine and allows you to take daily care of yourself. It must be an everyday commitment that you make.S is for StaycationTaking a trip abroad and visiting exotic, far-flung places is not always easy. But what if you said yes to a staycation? Knowing when to take a bigger break and plan a weekend staycation is also beneficial, particularly when you are under so much stress that unimportant things push you over the edge. After all, even the portmanteau word 'staycation' sounds cool, doesn’t it? So, if you just need to get away from it all for a little while, that’s your new favourite English word (and habit)!T is for TechnologyThink about all the devices you use on a daily basis. In today’s world, technology has a profound effect on numerous aspects of our lives – and this includes teaching. Embrace the different ways technology can contribute to the learning process, take advantage of the E-planet e-learning platform and use the new E-planet mobile application to easily store the detailed information you need about your students, keep records of their scores, check who is using the e-learning program and keep track of online midterm and final tests. Cool, right?U is for UnpluggingHow much are you willing to truly unplug? We've all been there; when we're feeling down, we just try to distract ourselves by scrolling through social media. But let's be honest: this habit doesn't work wonders! So, stop spending so much time on social media and say yes to something more positive, like an inspirational film, an uplifting book, a feel-good podcast or an upbeat playlist.V is for ValueIf you value your mental health, don't belittle your daily efforts and start being a little kinder to yourself!W is for WorldHow can 'World Days' help you to easily grab the attention of your students and make your lessons much more enjoyable? It's simple! Just take a look at our Seasonal Activities section and find out how we can help you with ready-to-use materials and active engagement activities for learners of different ages, levels and interests!X is for X factorAre you an English teacher who has the X factor? Well, it's easy to focus on what you do poorly. But wait a moment... Try to focus on what you do well for a change. Identify what makes you an English teacher that students like. You could even ask some of your learners or a colleague whose opinion you trust. Find those elements that make your way of teaching special. And appreciate them!Y is for YouWhat helps you to feel calm instantly when you're under stress? We are all different. And that's why we calm down in different ways. There are teachers who just squeeze a stress ball. There are others that like popping bubble wrap. And there are some teachers that doodle all over textbooks and adult colouring books. Just as your students aren't exactly alike, so your ideal self-care habits and soothing activities are unique.Z is for ZzzSleep when you need it! Yes, it's easier said than done, but when you get a good night's sleep, you do feel better able to cope with everything, right? And you won't be able to do any of these things on our list if you feel exhausted and groggy. So, deal with sleep deprivation and start waking up fresh and ready to take care of yourself! If you have anything you’d like to add to this list, leave a comment and share your inspiring ideas and tips with us!...
Teaching English: Tips for Private Tutors of ENGLISH
Whether you are new to the world of private tutoring or an experienced English teacher looking for ways to improve and become the successful educator you’ve always wanted to be, E-planet is here to help! Are you ready? Time to GET, GO & GROW!📌 GET organisedPrivate tutoring can be a very rewarding experience. But starting and getting organised isn’t always that easy... That’s why a new online platform, which has been especially designed for tutors of private lessons, is here to cover your needs!The E-planet Platform provides a host of free materials: weekly and monthly course plans, a series of supplements, access to the teachers’ books you need and a special panel to help you monitor each student’s progress. You can easily store the detailed information you need about all your students, keep records of their scores, check who is using the e-learning program and keep track of online midterm and final tests. Cool, right?Our user-friendly platform is already operating for European countries and it will gradually become available all around the world.📌 GO the extra mileAlways be willing to go the extra mile for your students. As you get to know them, you will find out that there are things they are passionate about and make their eyes light up. Each time they mention a hobby, a favourite film or a new book they’ve read, they offer you an opportunity to prepare an activity tailored to their interests. That’s how you will know what materials and topics to choose in order to make your lessons much more interesting for your students at every stage of their English language learning journey. Our Seasonal Activities & Topical Resources can also help you make learning motivating and enjoyable with ready-to-use materials and active engagement activities for learners of different ages, levels and interests.And when you notice your students getting bored, try a quick game, a quiz or brain teasers. Nothing kills the desire to learn more than boredom, so always be ready to shake things up! Remember that you are the one who creates the routine and chooses how to respond to student behaviour. When learning in a classroom, everything is busy and fast-paced. On the other hand, learning with the help of a private tutor, affords time for a much more personalised and fun approach. Take advantage of it! You could also use educational board games for children or adventurous games for teenagers and adults from time to time to add a little bit of unexpected fun and create a positive and uplifting atmosphere!📌 GROW your student baseConsider specialising in a particular field. For example, teaching Business English could make you stand out. In general, bear in mind that there is always demand for experts who can successfully teach English for Specific Purposes (ESP).Think outside the box. With nearly half of the world’s population using social media platforms, they’re a natural place to reach new students. Gather real-world data and learn from what other teachers do on social media. Create engaging content that students will like, comment on and share. Consider current trends and think: What do people want to view these days? For example, Instagram stories and live streaming have become quite popular. Can you incorporate these trends into your social media routine?Do you have anything you’d like to add to this list? Share your thoughts below!If you liked this blog post, you might also enjoy reading this one: 5+1 Ways to Become a Better English teacher....
Don’t Say It! (5+1 things English teachers shouldn’t say in the classroom)
What shouldn’t we say in the classroom? How can we motivate our students and keep them enthusiastic about learning English? When we know better, we do better. So, let’s get off on the right foot!❌ That’s wrong!We all know that positive reinforcement is essential, right? So, negative remarks won’t help!*What to do: If you ask a question and a student’s answer is wrong, don’t focus on that or provide the answer yourself. Give the student the chance to self-correct. Peer correction can also help to create a positive classroom atmosphere as your English learners realise that you are not the only source of correction and that they can also learn a lot from their classmates. Bear in mind that all students intuitively appreciate teachers who create a supportive and non-threatening atmosphere in the classroom.❌ Do you understand?Well, we really shouldn’t ask our students if they have understood what we’ve just explained. Most students will just say ‘yes’ even if they haven’t understood anything at all!*What to do: Check for comprehension with the help of a game, a crossword puzzle, a quiz or another fun exercise. Help your students put what they’ve learned into practice and grasp a deeper understanding of the English language! Using books with engaging, playful and creative activities can be a great source of inspiration. ❌ You’re so lazy!We’ve all heard parents and other teachers say that children and teenagers nowadays are just getting lazier and lazier. But that won’t certainly somehow magically teach our English learners what it means to try more and study hard!*What to do: Firstly, always remember that you can’t make people behave better by making them feel worse! If your students seem bored and lethargic, they may need a different approach that fits their needs in a better way. Remember that you are the one who creates the classroom routine and chooses how to respond to student behavior. So, be willing to make the necessary changes in your own classroom to create the learning environment children and teenagers need to thrive. Keep being supportive and always keep an optimistic attitude about the outcome. Moreover, bear in mind that if some of your students seem lazy or have to be constantly reminded what to do next, they may deal with a learning disability that is impeding their progress in English.❌ Because I say so.Well, it’s true that these four words can roll off our tongues really easily… But we do know that ‘Because I say so’ won’t work – at least not for long!*What to do: Always make an effort to explain, no matter how tired you are!❌ I’ve already answered that question.Our role as teachers is to motivate our students to ask questions and seek answers. There is no such thing as a stupid question. And it doesn’t matter if we’ve already answered a question!*What to do: If necessary, go over the same points again and again. Do not overwhelm your students with long and complicated sentences when giving instructions or explanations. And always remember to apply the KISS (Keep It Short and Simple) design principle in your EFL classroom (especially when teaching English to newbies)! ❌ Your brother/sister/fellow student is better than you.Comparisons can only lead to trouble. Using other people as great examples may seem like a smart way to inspire our students, but it usually leads to resentment, jealousy, and less effort.*What to do: Praising the effort of a student usually motivates him/her to try harder. in addition, your English learners should have a good idea of your expectations, so you can talk in general about what all students ought to do to make their work stand out.Do you have anything you’d like to add to this list? Share your thoughts below!And if you liked this blog post, you might also enjoy reading this one: 5+1 Ways to Become a Better English teacher. @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}@font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-520082689 -1073697537 9 0 511 0;}@font-face {font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji"; panose-1:2 11 5 2 4 2 4 2 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 33554432 0 0 1 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0cm; margin-right:0cm; margin-bottom:8.0pt; margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;}a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {mso-style-priority:99; color:#0563C1; mso-themecolor:hyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;}a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; color:#954F72; mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;}.MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:11.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;}.MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:8.0pt; line-height:107%;}div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;}...
How to Teach Your Students about Climate Change
Devastating wildfires. Prolonged droughts. Stifling heat waves. Intense hurricanes. Do you find yourself wondering how can you explain the tough reality of what is going on without terrifying young students? Are you looking for smart ways to draw attention to climate-related issues and spark some interest in the hot topic of climate change? Are you undecided as to which materials to use with your students? E-planet is here to help! Let’s encourage the next generation of climate leaders to change our world!📌Using appropriate resourcesThe first step is to find the right resources. Outdated books and obsolete information will not help. When it comes to climate change, you don’t have to be an expert; however, you have to rely on ESL books which offer high-quality and stimulating content.It’s also important to use age-appropriate materials. The feeling of powerlessness and fear when learning about major environmental problems, known as ecophobia, is a phenomenon that no teacher would like to face, so don’t scare young learners with information that might overwhelm them!Tip: Take a look at our creative Resources for English Teachers in order to find some free, innovative and ready-to-use materials on climate change. And don’t forget to explore our inspirational Seasonal Activities section for smart ideas that can help your students learn more about environmental protection and celebrate World Environment Day!📌Taking advantage of technologyThere are also many free online games, quizzes and amusing activities, which you can use in order to help your students to understand climate science in a fun and engaging way. For example, if you are teaching English to young learners, you can take a look at NASA's Climate Kids website, which tells the story of our changing planet through the eyes of the NASA missions studying Earth. What does global climate change mean? What is the greenhouse effect? What is happening to the oceans? Time to find out…📌Connecting learning to real lifeThe next step is to connect climate change to the real world. Well, it’s true that this topic may seem abstract and intangible… So, what can you do?Challenge your young students to find at least three ways to use less power on a daily basis. Ask older students to consider how their daily actions contribute to climate change. And remember to connect climate change to real stories and people, like Greta Thunberg, the well-known climate campaigner.Tip: Motivate your students to work together with their peers and don’t forget to incorporate teamwork and multiple projects in your lessons. For example, your English learners can give presentations to other students or work on poster campaigns and group art projects, while practising their English at the same time!📌Making a differenceMake sure your students stay hopeful about the future and help them to understand that we can all take action against climate change.Your goal is to inspire them, not scare them! Emphasise that we are not powerless.Challenge your students to influence others; for example, can they persuade their families members to adopt eco-friendly habits, like recycling and reusing single-use plastic items? A smart idea is to inspire them to engage in social activities, like a school recycling program.Ready to empower your students to make the world a better place? Time to take action and help them protect the planet they love! @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}@font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073697537 9 0 511 0;}@font-face {font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji"; panose-1:2 11 5 2 4 2 4 2 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 33554432 0 0 1 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0cm; margin-right:0cm; margin-bottom:8.0pt; margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;}a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {mso-style-priority:99; color:#0563C1; mso-themecolor:hyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;}a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; color:#954F72; mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;}.MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:11.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;}.MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:8.0pt; line-height:107%;}div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;}...
Halloween Fun in the ESL Classroom
October is here, and so is the time for pumpkins, spooky monsters, sweet treats, and Halloween activities! Well, Halloween is not only a fun holiday, but also a great way to incorporate the culture of English-speaking countries into the ESL classroom, help your learners build their language skills, and give them a little spooky excitement too! So, are you ready to start your own Halloween adventure with your students? Read on to find practical teaching ideas, which require little preparation time and can be adapted to almost all levels for children, teenagers, and adults. Travel Back inTime Why is Halloween celebrated? Since many of your students might not know much about Halloween, and for some of them this may be their first introduction to the late October holiday, start with an introductory speaking activity such as ‘How much do you know about Halloween?’. Explain that the old tradition in Scotland and Ireland dates back as far as 2,000 years ago, and that it originates from Samhain, a Celtic festival that marked the end of summer and harvest time, and the beginning of cold weather and dark days. Find the Words This super simple activity needs no preparation in advance, and it’s a great way to make your students sharpen their vocabulary skills. Divide students into two or three teams. Then choose a Halloween-related word (or a group of easy or difficult Halloween-related words – depending on your students’ level) and explain that each team has to come up with as many words as possible using the letters of that word. Don’t forget to give a time limit! Start the timer and let students rack their brains for as many words as they can come up with. The team with the most words wins. Create a Tutorial Ask your students to work in groups in order to create the best Halloween tutorial. They could focus on a topic like ‘How to carve a pumpkin’, ‘How to design the perfect Halloween costume’, etc. Then they have to show it to the class, which will vote for the best tutorial! Write About It This activity is ideal for teens and adults, since it’s an open secret that almost all older students like a good scary story! Explain that they should write a story set during Halloween and that it should create a spine-tingling sensation in the reader. To help them start a good story, you can give them some fun writing prompts, e.g. ‘Your English teacher is a zombie / monster / vampire, but no one seems to get it’ or ‘When the local police officer goes to investigate the haunted house down the street, he finds an old lady who was murdered decades ago.’. You could also use spooky mystery background music during writing time as a bonus! Tip: If your older students are bored with celebrating Halloween every year, just change the writing activity. Why not take advantage of Jack Skellington, the main character in the story ‘The Nightmare before Christmas’? Jack lives in Halloweentown, where everybody else loves the late October holiday, but when he visits Christmas town, he decides it would be great for everyone in his town to celebrate Christmas instead… Read the story or watch the film with your students, and then have them write a fun descriptive essay or review about it! Decorate It Last but not least, don’t forget to get your younger learners to help you decorate all classrooms to set the scene! Another good idea is to ask them to make paper masks – and even paint or decorate a mask they’re already wearing in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19! That’s not only fun, but also a good way to review useful vocabulary for face parts, colours, scary animals, etc. A competition can also be held, and prizes be given for the funniest or the scariest mask! Enjoy It Now it’s time to bring the fun and excitement of the celebration into your classroom... Shake things up! Teaching doesn’t always mean that you have to explain vocabulary or grammatical concepts. Why not help your students experience something new and exciting? Have you got any other favourite Halloween activities ideas? Share them with us in the comments below! And if you found these ideas helpful, give this post a quick share on your favourite social media site.Happy Halloween!...
Back to School: Creating a Welcoming Classroom
August is still here, but it will soon be school time again! So, you may be wondering how to help students see the future school year in a positive light. Well, the environment we create for our English language learners is as important as what we teach and the strategies we use. All recent studies indicate that high-quality classroom environments spur creativity and help students to feel more motivated to engage in the learning process. So, before another school year starts, let’s find out how we can create a happy place for all learners! The Seating Chart It goes without saying that desks arranged in neat, orderly rows make movement throughout a classroom easier. However, sitting in a row of desks in front of a teacher may feel intimidating to a school-aged child. A horseshoe-shaped formation or flexible clusters can help to create a more friendly and inviting environment. After all, a more student- centred classroom design - away from traditional classroom layouts - is more conducive to 21st-century learning, where collaboration, communication and project-based activities are becoming the norm. So, when rethinking your classroom design, look for ways to provide comfortable and collaborative spaces. In any case, bear in mind that all students should be able to move around easily. The Decorative TouchesMost classrooms tend to be cold and bare areas until they are decorated. That’s because adding a splash of colour can bring life to a sterile environment and create a positive learning place. Keep in mind that light blue and green can help learners to feel calm, while dark colours may make them feel drowsy. A bright and vibrant corner with things students need but often forget, like pens and sharpened pencils, highlighters and post-it notes is always a good idea. A white wall where students can present and hang their work throughout the academic year is essential, too. And don’t forget to use a large bulletin board where items, collages and students’ projects on English culture can be pinned! Last but not least, a reading and educational board games nook will always make a classroom much more interesting. Motivational posters with success quotes not only help to inspire English learners to study harder, but they also reinforce a positive culture. For example, ‘It always seems impossible until it’s done’ is a quote by Nelson Mandela that could work wonders in a classroom! But stay away from posters with negative words and expressions that tell students what not to do. For example, instead of a ‘No bullying!’ message, prefer a ‘Be a hero and help them all!’ approach. Plants can also help to add warmth and comfort to a class environment, and numerous studies have shown that adding a pet (like fish or a tiny hamster) to a learning environment has a positive effect on the psychology of students. However, some of your students may suffer from allergies, so you should check with them before adding a new plant or pet to the classroom. The Health & Safety Factor In the age of coronavirus, this is a factor that cannot be neglected. Since older students are more likely to remember to follow health and safety protocols than younger ones, why not use a colourful poster to remind all your English language learners to always wash their hands after breaks and to use hand sanitizers? Portable hand-sanitizing stations at main entrances can also promote regular hygiene, especially if you have lots of young students who have an almost infinite capacity for making messes and spreading germs! Sometimes, even the smallest of changes can make a big difference in a classroom environment. So, are you ready to help your students feel empowered to learn? Do you have any other suggestions for creating a welcoming and inviting classroom environment? Just add them to the comments below! And don’t forget to spread the word; give this article a quick share on your favourite social media site! If you liked this, you might also enjoy the article 5+1 WAYS TO BECOME A BETTER ENGLISH TEACHER....
5+1 Ways to Become a Better English Teacher
Are you wondering how you can become the enthusiastic, inspirational and successful educator you’ve always wanted to be? We’ve got you covered! Read on to find out what it takes to become a great teacher… 1. Make Learning Fun Shake things up! Teaching doesn’t always mean that you have to explain vocabulary or grammatical concepts. Why not help your students experience something new and exciting? Everyone learns more effectively when they have fun because they focus more on the present activity rather than on the learning itself. For example, songs and games are a very entertaining way to learn English. You can also turn boring activities into contests with positive reinforcements, like prizes or additional game time. And did we mention that stories are a great way to grab the attention of your young students? 2. Put Technology to Good Use Think about all the devices you use on a daily basis. In today’s world, technology has a profound effect on numerous aspects of our lives – and this includes teaching. Embrace the different ways technology can contribute to the learning process. At the click of a button, your students will be able to explore an amazing digital world that can help them develop their language skills. Coursebooks and workbooks are important but why not add more variety to your lesson and homework assignments? Your students will be grateful! 3. Be Flexible One of the tenets of teaching should be that nothing stays constant. A flexible attitude is vital. When a lesson is not going as planned, learn how to adjust quickly and tackle any problem that you might come across. Remember that it’s not uncommon for a meticulously mapped out lesson to come out differently from what you had planned. Embrace unexpected challenges as new opportunities for you and your students. By keeping an open mind and an open heart, you won’t just be a good teacher but also a great role model for them. 4. Challenge Your Students Nothing kills the desire to learn more than boredom! Make sure that you keep your students challenged. However, you need to make sure you find the right balance and that your teaching goals are ambitious but also realistic. You want to set high standards for your students, so that they will always do their best and gain more knowledge. But these standards should be within their reach. Get to know your learners and their ages, skills and learning styles. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. As a teacher, you may have the chance to interact with students at different stages of development and from all walks of life. Personalise your lessons to fit your learners’ needs. 5. Develop a Positive Attitude and a Sense of Humour An upbeat mood and sense of humour make a lasting impression. Students intuitively appreciate teachers who create a joyful, supportive and non-threatening atmosphere in the classroom. Keep in mind that laughter is a significant part of being human. It facilitates social bonding and creates a feeling of well-being. It improves physical health by decreasing the level of stress hormones and boosting immune cells that fight illness. A loud infectious laugh can sometimes keep learners engaged and interested; it can also help them feel like they are part of a great team! 6. Reflect on Your Teaching It is easy for teachers to spend so much time focused on their students’ progress that they forget to consider their own performance. But with a profession as challenging as teaching, self-reflection allows you to think more deeply about what works in the classroom and what doesn’t. No matter how interesting a lesson is, the strategies that you use can always be improved. Fresh and innovative methods can make students happier and much more attentive. What do you think makes a great teacher? What are your favourite tips regarding ELT (English Language Teaching)? Let us know in the comments below! If you liked this, you might also enjoy the article Real Stories - What’s It Like Teaching English?...
How to Prepare Students for Online Learning
Students who are new to online learning may, at first, find this type of learning a little disorientating since they are used to a physical space and the physical presence of a teacher. Some may also make the mistake of thinking that online learning requires less of an effort but in fact it is quite difficult for students to motivate themselves to study at their own convenience. This can all be made a little easier with preparing them for learning English online. Clarify Computer Skills and Technical Terms When introducing students to an online course you should first provide guidelines on the requirements needed, both in terms of hardware/software and in terms of computer skills. This will provide students who are not so computer savvy with an opportunity to brush up on their skills before starting the course and to ask any questions they might have beforehand. You might also want to provide a walk-through worksheet or document that goes through step-by-step the technical tasks that might be required of them. Maybe you have been using the same online course of software for years but to some people it may be completely new. If you find it difficult to get into the mindset of a beginner, it might be useful to approach a student who you think might have difficulties and offer to coach them so you can see where the biggest problems lie. A good handout should include: - How to access the course - Instructions on how to use every part of the course - Where to seek help if needed Once you have developed a handout, you might want to schedule one or two orientation sessions that combine teaching computer basics and becoming familiar with the online course. This way you can see if there is anything essential that your handout is missing. An orientation session also provides a way of introducing yourself to your students and if it is a group activity provides a way of developing a community. Explain how independent online learning is different to instructed learning Whether you are teaching online or offline, you will also want to explain to your students how their self-paced learning fits into the other course activities you do. You should explain how lessons, discussions, lectures can be combined with the self-paced online course to achieve their learning outcomes. The students should see that the course isn't an optional add-on but fundamental to reinforcing what is being taught by the teacher. Since students know how long lessons instructed by a teacher are, you should provide a guideline time for how long an online unit should take, so that students can easily at this into their schedule. You might even want to provide students with a schedule or plan that features the online course so students can see where the online course fits in. An advantage of online learning is that students must learn to read texts extremely carefully. While students might find this difficult at first it encourages them to learn and study independently as well as make decisions more quickly because they don't have a teacher to rely on for clarification. Provide Clear Instructions and Clarify Your Expectations As well as providing an orientation session and general guidelines, much like with setting homework, you should provide - a basic description of the online task, e.g. please complete the listening task of unit 2, you will listen to three speakers talking about their jobs and then have to answer true of false questions based on what you have heard. - how it relates to the rest of the course and their learning outcomes, e.g. this will enable you to listen to and understand vocabulary related to professions. - how long the task should take and when it should be done by, e.g. it shouldn't take you any longer than 30 minutes to complete and I would like you to finish it for next lesson. - what to do if they have technical problems and what to do if they have task-related problems, e.g. if you have technical problems, please contact the technical support and if you have problems completing the task, please send me a message. You should also be clear about how much participation you require from students and what weighting this could have on their overall grade. A gentle reminder from you before a task is due should encourage students to keep up with their online course activities. Provide Teacher to Student Feedback By talking about the exercises and activities contained within an online course, students will be able to see, that even though they are studying on their own, they are not alone. A teacher might want to set aside time either within the lesson, or a few minutes after the lesson to go through the correct answers of an online course. This will eliminate any technical or computer-related issues fairly quickly and will help students to see where they went wrong and improve for next time. And there we have it, if you've followed all these tips, you should have successfully prepared students for online learning and make the most of a blended approach to learning. Additionally, our e=learning program, Learn English, can be combined with traditional instructional teaching using our textbooks to achieve this blended learning approach. Click here for more information or contact us for more details....
