04

December 2015
Comfortable settings in an ESL classroom
by Toby Knight
How well can you remember your first classroom at school? I can vividly remember walking into the classroom to be greeted by Mrs Magdalia, who had a book in her hand. She asked me if I knew what the word on the page of the book on the desk was. The word was “look”, and I didn’t know it, but I didn’t feel disappointed or unha...

01

December 2015
Learning Styles and the Different Approaches to Them
by James Ekins
We are all different; it is a part of the human condition. One obvious but often unspoken difference between us is the different learning styles that we can use. But how can these differences affect learning? Or teaching? In the early 90’s, Neil Fleming proposed one of the currently more prominent models relating to the ways that different p...

25

September 2015
Use of videos to teach topic activities in an ESL class
by James Ekins
A great benefit of being able to use the internet in the classroom is the ability to draw on it for some excellent, previously inaccessible resources for learning. Perhaps most notably, the use of videos in a class can prove to be extremely useful. But, as with all things, there is a right and a wrong way to do it. So what should the standard...

18

September 2015
Controversial Topics: How to Approach Them in the ESL Classroom
by James Ekins
Every one of us has at one time, in the classroom or outside of it, felt that sinking feeling – somebody in the group says a controversial topic, and that point is met by a wall of uncomfortable silence. Or worse, by a thunder of bristled opposition. Discussing hot-button issues can often be tricky, but it is important not to skirt away from ...

11

September 2015
Returning after the summer break!
by Rob Wylie
September has come back around again and the summer holidays are well and truly finished, so that means for most of us it´s back to work and those nice lie-ins are a thing of the past. A bout of the holiday blues is more than likely to be affecting you so how can you get rid of those feelings and make sure you are ready for the new school yea...

14

July 2015
TEFL Life Lessons
by Elena Riches
Throughout our lives we learn many lessons along the way and if you become a teacher, although you are teaching others, you are still a student - a student of life. Here are some TEFL life lessons that I learned on my road to becoming a TEFL teacher: ...

14

July 2015
Motivate and Encourage Students. Learn how!
by Rob Wylie
Whether you teach a language, an instrument, a profession or a sport all teachers have many responsibilities. One of the most important things that a teacher must be able to do is ensure that they motivate and encourage students. With some groups or classes this can be easy but with others you may find...

07

July 2015
TEFL Myths
by Elena Riches
As with a lot of professions, there are preconceived notions when it comes to TEFL (both good and bad) that aren't necessarily true. I have listed below a few TEFL myths and the reasoning behind why they are just that. FACT: Although it does help your cha...

30

June 2015
TEFL teaching experience
by Elena Riches
If teaching English as a foreign language (commonly known as TEFL) is something that appeals to you, you may want to know what it's like before taking the plunge. Here, I am going to give you an insight into a real TEFL te...

26

June 2015
ESL teaching and the Internet. The virtual classroom
by Vincent Chieppa
ESL teaching and the Internet - From Apple's iPod to Google's driver-less cars, technology is playing a massive role in the 21st century. This is not to say that it is the solution to 21st century education, but simply a tool to aid education and learning and, although it can be a great tool, any learning concerning technology should...