Author Archives

Teacher and Materials Writer

• Video resource: a one minute guide to planet earth

  By Pete on April 3, 2015 • ( 3 )

  Here’s a fluency based activity to challenge those adult advanced classes. I am always on the hunt for activities that will stretch my strongest students, and get them talking about rather alien topics. After all, if you’ve mastered a language… Read More ›

• A fun way to introduce graphs in class

  By Pete on April 1, 2015 • ( 2 )

  

  I stumbled across Google Trends on the net last year after reading a blog by Jeremy Kritt. I did a project on Trends back in June, and found it a great resource for lessons. Google Trends provides information of what… Read More ›

• Video lesson: sickness benefits in the UK

  By Pete on March 29, 2015 • ( 0 )

  

  Here’s a fairly topical upper-intermediate level lesson, as we get closer to the general election. I saw this report on Sky News back in mid-February and thought it would be a really good talking point. Apparently, David Cameron is thinking… Read More ›

• DipTESOL observed practice – evaluate and reflect!

  By Pete on March 27, 2015 • ( 0 )

  This is my first blog on the Trinity College London DipTESOL. It might seem like I’m jumping ahead a bit by talking about the final observations, especially if you’re new to the course. But if you’re anything like me, the… Read More ›

• Teach Petr Cech English – a lesson using British Council Premier Skills

  By Pete on March 25, 2015 • ( 4 )

  I’ve only just discovered the British Council Premier Skills site. It’s a great resource for some of the groups I teach. They’ve got a lesson planning competition going on at the moment, which inspired me to create a little something…. Read More ›

• Windsor Castle video observation challenge!

  By Pete on March 23, 2015 • ( 1 )

  

  Here’s one of my favourite activities to get students interested in Windsor Castle. The lesson is based around the ‘visit Windsor’ introductory video that can be found on youtube. The lesson is suitable for intermediate students, although the part that uses… Read More ›

• writing task on Henry VIII using gradual approximation

  By Pete on March 23, 2015 • ( 2 )

  

  Teaching writing is something I’ve hardly ever done. I mostly work with groups that visit England for a week or so, and want intense listening and speaking practice. During my DipTESOL I really had to think about what teaching skills… Read More ›