Now, I’m no great fan of Microsoft. I still (reluctantly) use Windows but I’ve long been a supporter of OpenOffice and other open source alternatives. I have also found that Microsoft Word’s grammar check does more harm than good for my students. That said, their new ESL Assistant looks promising. It’s simple to use. Just […]
Entries Tagged as 'ESL activity'
Microsoft’s ESL Assistant
April 2nd, 2010 · 2 Comments
Tags: blog · ESL activity · grammar · software · writing
Making Connections: Engaging Students in Language, Literacy, and Global Issues
March 24th, 2010 · 1 Comment
Making Connections is a new textbook (w/ teacher’s guide) from Facing the Future. This new research-based teacher’s guide helps students develop English language skills through highly engaging real-world investigations of current global issues. Designed for intermediate-level English language learners and striving readers, Making Connections combines language learning with opportunities for students to think critically about […]
Tags: blog · climate change · ESL activity · food and hunger · global issues activities · health · history · human rights · k-12 · lesson plans · peace and war · poverty & wealth · racism · reading · textbooks · the environment · visual prompts · water · writing
New Internationalist: Global Issues for Learners of English
May 22nd, 2009 · No Comments
The New Internationalist has a collection of global issues articles written specifically for learners of English. They have articles on globalization, the environment, human rights and war. They haven’t updated the articles for several years, but the topics are still very relevant. One example that I like is a series of 5 stories told by […]
Tags: blog · child labor · consumerism · cultural issues · ESL activity · fair trade · global issues activities · peace and war · poverty & wealth · reading · the environment
EPA: Teach English, Teach About the Environment
May 14th, 2009 · No Comments
Teach English, Teach About the Environment is an ESL textbook by the EPA. It’s available as a free PDF, and features a variety of lesson plans at three different levels. It is focused almost entirely on solid waste (reduce, reuse, recycle) and is designed for adult learners of English. One thing that I really like […]
Tags: blog · consumerism · ESL activity · global issues activities · lesson plans · textbooks
Lesson Plans from the International School Studies Association
May 1st, 2009 · No Comments
The International School Studies Association at the University of Denver has a large collection of links to lesson plans that deal with global issues. They break them down thematically (Cultural Studies, Environmental Studies, Economics, etc.) and by grade level. There are tons of lessons available here, so there are bound to be some good ones. […]
Tags: blog · ESL activity · food and hunger · global issues activities · global issues resources · lesson plans · natural disasters · peace and war · politics · poverty & wealth · the environment · water
A Global Issues-Themed Poetry Activity
January 30th, 2009 · No Comments
We’ve got a group of 50 or so Korean elementary school teachers here at the ELI for a month-long program. Today, I gave them a brief workshop introducing a poetry activity that I have used in the past. Basically, I have students read, write, then discuss poems built around particular structures. I find that students […]
Tags: blog · consumerism · ESL activity · food and hunger · global issues activities · lesson plans · politics · poverty & wealth · writing
Global Issues — Weeks 5-7
November 6th, 2008 · No Comments
Materials Used: Final Project Topic and Action Ideas Final Project Rubric Pay It Forward Questions More Topic and Action Ideas World Changer Interview Each Tuesday, students led reading circle articles. In addition, on the Tuesday of week 5, I introduced some ideas for final project topics and actions. For homework, I asked them to write […]
Tags: blog · ESL activity · global issues activities · Global Issues class · lesson plans
Global Issues — Week 4 — Financial Crisis
October 20th, 2008 · 5 Comments
Materials used: Reading Circle Peer Evaluation Sheet Financial Crisis Timeline Activity Financial Crisis Lesson Handout Financial Crisis Readings On Tuesday, we did the first reading circle. I was pleased to see that it went well. I had done this with a global issues class I taught in Hawaii, but at that school reading circles were […]
Tags: blog · ESL activity · financial crisis (2008) · global issues activities · Global Issues class · lesson plans · poverty & wealth
NaNoWriMo is coming!
October 11th, 2008 · No Comments
November is National Novel Writing Month. Last year, I had a great time completing my 50,000 word opus, and I am looking forward to giving it another go this year. In a creative writing class, this could be a great way to get students to write a lot without worrying overly much about grammar.
Tags: blog · ESL activity · NaNoWriMo · writing
Global Issues — Week 3
October 10th, 2008 · No Comments
Materials Used Glassbooth Handouts Agree / Disagree Handout Where Do They Stand Handout Last week, I decided to cover election issues with my class. Students had expressed an interest in politics, and it seemed like a good time for it, and also a good way to introduce a variety of global issues fairly quickly. Before […]
Tags: blog · ESL activity · global issues activities · Global Issues class · global issues resources · lesson plans · politics