Sometimes coincidence is just too vague a term to describe a series of seemingly unrelated events which take you in a certain direction. However, for lack of a better term, I’d say it is coincidence that made me want to read more about different approaches to teaching listening skills. Coincidences Some time ago, Marc Jones …
Category Archives: methodology
Self-observation in the classroom
I don’t know if this word even exists in ELT, it’s probably called ‘self-reflection’ or something similar. Terminology aside, this is what I’ve tried to do more consistently in the last few months: consciously noticing and if possible reflecting on the on-the-spot choices I make as a teacher in the classroom.
Error correction in speaking
Just a quick link to say: I’m all in favour of error correction, and I’m glad to read there is evidence to prove it works!
Why is grammar-translation so persistent?
Today I’d like to share with you some questions and — possibly wrong — ideas I had last week, during our Delta preparation week. One day we were reviewing the development of methodologies in language teaching (from grammar-translation all the way down to humanistic approaches and so called post-communicative era) when I realised how most …
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On Dogme and how a world map transformed my lesson
I have already discussed on this blog how I love the idea of materials-light teaching and how I am experimenting with an unplugged approach. So it comes as no surprise that last week I decided to unplug one of my intermediate-level lessons to see where it would go. The result was amazing to me. Some background information before I start: …
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The problems I see with flipped, game-based teaching
Can a flipped, game-based approach to teaching English really work with adult, monolingual classes?
Materials-light teaching
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 …
'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 …
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 …
To coursebook or not to coursebook? That is the question.
I decided to write this post after reading Sandy Millin’s post and thinking: “wow, that’s exactly what I think!”. I apologise if this is more of a random collection of thoughts, but again, Sandy’s post reminded me of how putting your thoughts in writing sometimes can help to clarify your mind and put things into …
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