I briefly mentioned on this post how I love activities which are materials-light and conversation-driven. I might not have acknowledged it fully, but I’m starting to suspect Dogme has seriously influenced my teaching ????. Anyway, last Sunday I tried to follow #AusELT chat on teaching materials-light, and even though I missed the time and couldn’t join the conversation, it still …
Author Archives: Capybara
#ELTchat summary: Does technology motivate or distract in the classroom?
I am very proud and excited to post my very first #ELTchat summary here. I have been unable to follow previous chats live as I was always working, but this time with the slow-burn idea I was able not only to read, but also to participate in the chat as it was unfolding. This week’s #ELTchat was inspired by …
Continue reading “#ELTchat summary: Does technology motivate or distract in the classroom?”
Freedom in the classroom
A list of some free software I regularly use with my students.
How effective are conversation lessons?
Last weekend has been a nice, long one here in Italy. Most schools were closed for 4 days so I had plenty of time to relax, study and improve my Emacs skills (Manuel, I’m looking at you 😉 ). I also had time to reflect on my work and on many other things going on in my …
Freedom in the teacher's room
Why, how and what free software can be an ethical and practical alternative to proprietary software.
'Something I': a speaking activity
Today I would like to share with you an activity I love to do in both 1:1 and group classes. I love it because it has three very special ingredients that few activities have all combined: it’s flexible, it can be adapted to almost any level and any class; it’s fun, so far all my …
A NNEST and employer on the equity debate
I know I’m lagging behind on this topic as many bloggers and ELT professionals have already written and spoken extensively about it, especially after this plenary by Silvana Richardson at IATEFL 2016. And by the way, of all the things I’ve been reading on the topic, I particularly enjoyed this article by Marek Kiczkowiak and …
Continue reading “A NNEST and employer on the equity debate”
Are we getting it all wrong?
I recently read a not-so-recent article about a group of UK teachers who went to China to try to understand the secret to the high performance of Chinese students in international tests. The alleged results came as quite a shock. According to the article, the “traditional” methods used in China — the same that the …
Considerations after one year of courses without a textbook
As I wrote at the beginning of this school year, we decided to try to experiment some courses without a textbook. The idea behind this was to give maximum flexibility and adaptability to the teacher and the course, so that it could be tailor-made for our very small groups. The results were not as positive …
Continue reading “Considerations after one year of courses without a textbook”
Year of the Monkey
The Chinese say that the monkey is a very clever, unpredictable animal. And 2016 is the Year of the Monkey. It has been unpredictable indeed. Many things have happened in my life, including a major career change. I have left this blog idle for almost a year, busy as I was with all things of …