As a storytelling fanatic, I find it hard to hide my excitement when Halloween rolls around. There's nothing like the power of suggestion, some creepy music and an endless supply of curiosity to really get the creative juices overflowing. So, on a sensory overload, I thought I'd share with you all this lesson I wrote [...]
Here in Europe, the summer sun is finally setting and swimming costumes are starting to be replaced with school uniforms once again. As classes begin to kick off and teambuilding comes the fore-front, I thought I'd suggest some back to school activities that you might want to try with your classes to get your school [...]
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to adjust to life on another planet? In keeping with my last lesson on space tourism, here's another lesson on the theme of space travel. Instead of thinking about life on another planet, this lesson explores what it's like for astronauts to readjust to life on [...]
The space race has gone commercial! With the boom in recent space tourism, there is one cost that even the wealthiest of billionaires can't cover: the environmental cost. The recent antics of the world's richest at a time where many people are worried about their own futures seems, at best, crass, but discovering what happens [...]
After the excitement of IATEFL and being the sort of person who is always seeking a new challenge, I decided to use some of my IATEFL scholarship money (there's still a few days for you to apply for a 2022 scholarship, if you haven't already) and sign up for a course on Materials Writing with [...]
Here is my latest lesson plan encouraging students to express their opinions about the climate crisis using modifiers with comparative structures. Lesson Overview Lesson Objectives Learners will be able to discuss environmental issues using topic vocabulary and modifying comparative structures.Learners will develop critical thinking skills as they work collaboratively to devise a video script or [...]
It was a hot afternoon in June 2019 when I stumbled across a post on Twitter publicising the fast-approaching deadline for the IATEFL scholarship programme. As I clicked on the link and read the information I realised that this could be my way of attending the conference which I had never managed to up until [...]
I've seen lots of fantastic posts recently from teachers about the last year of teaching online and all the challenges it has thrown up. Freeed have dedicated March to being the anniversary of remote learning with lots of insightful articles and lesson ideas about teaching during the last year. So, as I settle down to [...]
If you’re looking for an eggs-cellent Easter activity (cringe), why not try my Easter escape room? It's really easy to set up and your teens are sure to love trying to crack the code! How to use it Make a copy of my google form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ulsSedHKalyjnbe9hWGMEYx9tFl3l7CFk0oIwCfSbY4/copy Click on the purple send button in the [...]
Following up from my last post on fostering emotional literacy in the ELT classroom, I want to share with you today a quick and easy activity that can help promote kindness and build a classroom community. With my very young learners I have introduced an appreciation board to make students recognise their own actions and [...]
It goes without saying that self-care and well-being have never been so important as in the last year. I marvel at the resilience of the teachers around me and above all the children who are coping so well with the seemingly endless challenges that are being thrown at them. But what is the real effect [...]
I am a (not so secret) poetry junkie. The pictures poetry can paint, the powerful messages they scream or whisper, and their unhampered relationship with language makes it difficult not to love them. In the classroom poetry can provide a positive, welcome gateway to language, making it accessible and building students' confidence by toying with [...]
Learning lessons from TEFL 