Building connection through conversation
In my experience as a second language teacher, I can’t tell you how many times I have come across people who tell me “I learnt Spanish with Pedro Almodovar movies”, or “I learnt English watching Friends“. Some people have this uncanny superpower of learning a complex interactive communication system such…
I know, I know, pretty cheesy. But if there is one thing I learnt from teaching overseas, the television series Friends is everywhere. So if you need a relaxing frivolous lesson, here it is. Pre discussion Which Friends character do you relate to most? Which is your least favourite and why? What…
Need a good question to break the ice? I got you covered. I’m sure you have experienced it. First day of ESL class, you plan an icebreaker activity, launch the question and you get the dreaded silent stares. What do you do, let them stew with the question and stand…
Level: B2, C1 Language focus: modal auxiliaries, expressing opinions, questions Exercise: Discussion questions in the post Media: video As a parent, I find I am sometimes in a sad little loop of not feeling good enough, looking for parenting advice, then trying that advice and being exhausted by the amount…
I am an avid visualizer. I love hypothetical dreaming. I test out lessons, see possible problems, and think of fun ways to connect the classroom to reality. It’s like a constant mini-movie up there. I don’t just visualize lessons, I play out conversations, memories, happy places etc… Our ability to…
Level: B1, B2, C1 Discussion questions in the post Language focus: personal caracteristics, money, work tasks Media: video Life changes. And more specifically, it gets more expensive. Yet sometimes it can take time for your employer to catch up. So how can you tackle the prickly question of asking for…
Great ESL lesson to explore the information about breakthrough infections and on Omicron.
Can my body language affect my mood? Your body language may not only affect how people perceive you, but it may also have an impact on your brain chemistry. Watch Amy Cuddy’s famous TED talk (I suggest you break it down into smaller parts and do short Tell Backs) to…
Level: A2, B1, B2 Discussion questions: in the post Media: Video Language focus: environment, action verbs, household items Can you live a zero-waste life? I know I can’t…not yet anyway. But every year I try to incorporate a new environmentally friendly practice. For example, I switched my paper napkins for…
Level: A1, A2, B1, B2 Handout: on TPT Media: Video Language focus: action verbs, causal linking words Do you like independent films? I think it’s a good habit to break away from mainstream films and explore some of the messages in indie films. Often I find myself conditioned by an…
