Author Archives

Teacher and Materials Writer

• Reflective practice: creating a self-development record

  By Pete on May 27, 2015 • ( 12 )

  

  How do you develop as a teacher? Do you rely on observations from peers or senior staff to tell you what you need to improve on? Do you evaluate and reflect on your own lessons? If so, do you do… Read More ›

• What were the last 10 teaching books you used?

  By Pete on May 18, 2015 • ( 2 )

  

  Last week my boss Martin Sketchley (eltexperiences) was sitting next to me compiling his list of recommended reading for the CELTA. It made me think about resource and reference books in general, and how I use them. I thought it… Read More ›

• CELTA tip: language analysis assignment

  By Pete on May 12, 2015 • ( 23 )

  

  The language analysis assignment is quite straightforward. It’s in two parts, grammar and vocabulary. You’re given a particular grammar structure or lexical items, and you have to analyse it and explain how you would go about teaching it. That’s about… Read More ›

• Lesson idea: UK politics and the election

  By Pete on May 7, 2015 • ( 3 )

  

  Today I taught one of my best lessons ever.  It’s a massive day for the UK, and there was no way I was going to ignore the general election in class. I had a group of 14 year old intermediate… Read More ›

• DipTESOL Tip – Phonology based activities

  By Pete on May 4, 2015 • ( 8 )

  

  I found ‘Phonological Theory in Classroom Practice’ the most useful module on the DipTESOL. It really encourages you to try out new activities and integrate phonology into your lessons. During the final assessment for the module (which is a 30-minute… Read More ›

• Lesson idea: quick conditionals review

  By Pete on April 30, 2015 • ( 2 )

  

  Here’s a quick idea for revising some conditionals. I used this the other day and it worked well: Ask students the following: What would you do if you were the last person on earth? Encourage creativity: If I were the… Read More ›

• CELTA tip: the language skills assignment

  By Pete on April 28, 2015 • ( 16 )

  

  I think the language skills topic on the CELTA is incredibly useful. As someone who rarely uses textbooks, I’m always searching for authentic reading and listening materials to use in class. Topic 3 on the CELTA gave me a solid… Read More ›

• Lesson idea: using sports commentaries in class

  By Pete on April 24, 2015 • ( 11 )

  

  Have you ever heard of the ‘instantaneous present simple’? I hadn’t until a recent diploma module. Apparently it’s used to describe events or occurrences with some level of immediacy. You find it in newspaper headlines (like ‘Brad marries Angelina’), verbs… Read More ›

• British History Lesson: Boudica

  By Pete on April 19, 2015 • ( 1 )

  

  I recently taught a great group of upper-intermediate Italian college students. They were from a humanities college, they requested lessons in history, psychology, sociology and so on. It was International Women’s Day the weekend before, so I thought it was… Read More ›

• CELTA tip: guided discovery

  By Pete on April 16, 2015 • ( 15 )

  

  I got an A in my CELTA, but I had some teaching experience before the course. I find one of the hardest things about teaching is actually standing up and doing it. I am a really nervous person, and this… Read More ›