ESL etc.

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 [...]

[Read more →]

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 [...]

[Read more →]

I was recently asked for suggestions for materials that could be used with younger learners. Here are a few of my favorites. Facing the Future has a collection of activity-based, global issues lesson plans for students of all ages. In addition to the great stuff they offer for sale, they have a ton of materials [...]

[Read more →]

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 [...]

[Read more →]

[Read more →]

Ready, set, go!

[Read more →]

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.

[Read more →]

Materials Used Reading Circle Assignment Sheet Reading Circle Demo Miniature Earth / World Wealth Handout Miniature Earth, a neat, short video that contains a lot of demographic information on the world, and touches on issues such as wealth and education. Students seemed to enjoy the video very much. We watched it a second time, and [...]

[Read more →]

I just read this piece over at McSweeney’s. Basically, it is Hamlet written via Facebook newsfeed messages. A sample: Hamlet wonders if he should continue to exist. Or not. Hamlet thinks Ophelia might be happier in a convent. Ophelia removed “moody princes” from her interests. Hamlet posted an event: A Play That’s Totally Fictional and [...]

[Read more →]

Facing the Future is an organization that makes activity-based, global issues curricula for students of all ages. In addition to the great stuff they offer for sale, they have a ton of materials available as free downloads. I especially like the lesson plans from Engaging Students Through Global Issues, and the Climate Change curricula. Finally, [...]

[Read more →]