30 May 2014 / by Radmila Gurkova

FM - Unifying format criteria for TEFL activities. The cherry on the cake!

On debate: We need to unify format criteria when creating TEFL activities in order to create the perfect activity. The teachers creating activities and the ones correcting them have to use the same criteria.

We agreed to: Creating standards for activities.

Checklist with the most important bullet points to remember when creating TEFL activities. 

  1. TL definition: simplify explanation, not copy and paste from online dictionaries

  2. Put pictures in tables to avoid overlapping of text and image when doing web classes

  3. Length of texts: 1/2 page maximum for high levels, 1/3 page maximum for lower levels.

  4. Edit texts to make the suitable for the students levels.

  5. Font: Arial 16.

  6. For topics and other activities when possible, provide the URL link to the original source: could be a youtube link, a link to an online article, news, etc.

  7. When we create activities, we have to think of doing them for web classes and then adapt for the in-person ones rather than the other way round. With this in mind, remember to:

    1. Avoid instructions containing "cut the attachment"

    2. Limit the number of pages on attachments (some activities contained a SWOT analysis of more than 5 pages, way too long!



  8. Highlight TL in the text (use capital letters or bold type)

  9. Always double check the grammar point and make sure it corresponds to the issue-subissue

  10. Double check for spelling and typos


Creating TEFL activities can be time consuming and tiring unless you share! Learn more about how to create successful TEFL activities. Join the TEFL community.

24

November 2011
English for Beginners Class 14 - The Days of the Week
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G89r_G1NLkI Do you know the days of the week? With this wonderful song you can revise them day by day. Are you able to answer the questions of the quiz? ...

24

November 2011
British Food - A tasty Topic to get your teeth into!!!
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGGbJEcUZsM Do you know what types of food comes from Britain? Have you tasted any? Is Britain famous for traditional food? There are many types of food from all around the British Isles. The Traditional English Breakfast, Steak &...

23

November 2011
English tips #11 wh questions
by Radmila Gurkova
 wh questions are open questions, they leave room for a description or opinion, and are more useful in eliciting information. what - when you are asking for inf...

23

November 2011
Dutch judge rejects pleas for killer whale freedom
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEkIvVNm1hI&feature=grec_index A Dutch judge has ruled that a rescued killer whale can be sent to a Canary Islands amusement park, despite pleas to release the animal into the wild. The case of Morgan the orca sharply divided opinion in the Netherlands. The orca was rescued by a dolphinarium in Harderwijk ...

22

November 2011
Passive Voice
by Radmila Gurkova
The passive voice is used when focusing on the person or thing affected by an action. The Passive is formed: Passive Subject + To Be + Past Particple ...

22

November 2011
Business interaction: Giving and accepting excuses for not meeting commitments
by Radmila Gurkova
Here are some useful phrases related to excuses for not meeting appointments or commitments: appointment ...

22

November 2011
Second Conditional
by Radmila Gurkova
Form If + past simple/continuous + would Functions and examples We use the second conditional to talk about situations or actions in the present or future, which are not likely to happen or are imaginary, hypothetical or impossible. If I won the lottery, I...

22

November 2011
Human Resources - Recruiting
by Radmila Gurkova
Here is some useful vocabulary related to HR and recruiting: Division of labour ...

22

November 2011
This Week's Class: Upper Intermediate English C23
by Radmila Gurkova
This is a sample class for you to try out with your students this week. You can find useful materials and blog posts on the 'Learn English' section of our blog. This class includes activities on: ...

22

November 2011
English tips #10 As a matter of fact
by Radmila Gurkova
Have you ever hear the expression 'as a matter of fact'? Would you know how to use it in a sentence? As a matter of fact simply means actually example: "As a matt...