Author Archives

Teacher and Materials Writer

• Lesson idea: introducing inventions

  By Pete on December 7, 2015 • ( 3 )

  Lessons that involve designing a new invention or product have cropped up at 5 of the 6 summer schools I’ve worked at. I came across this video the other day that gives me a new lead-in to the topic… After… Read More ›

• Lesson idea: introducing dreams and ambitions

  By Pete on December 5, 2015 • ( 0 )

  You really must check out these two sites: All at C and Vocabulary in Chunks. I’ve started to use a lot more videos in class and these have some great resources on them! Sometimes I come across resources, especially videos,… Read More ›

• Lesson tip: tidy-up song

  By Pete on December 3, 2015 • ( 1 )

  Do you use a tidy-up song at the end of class? This is mine… My primary level students start singing this with about 5 minutes of the lesson to go. They love the challenge of getting everything packed away, plus the… Read More ›

• Lesson idea: activities for short videos

  By Pete on November 30, 2015 • ( 5 )

  

  I use a lot of videos in class these days. There’s no shortage of inspiration for film lessons online, and a bit in print too. We received a copy of Film in Action last June, which Martin Sketchley reviewed here…. Read More ›

• Lesson idea: Introducing travel

  By Pete on November 21, 2015 • ( 2 )

  The old ones are the best! Here’s a video of a guy travelling around the world and dancing. You’ve probably seen it. I’ve used it quite a few times to generate interest in the topic of travel/geography. Actually, I think… Read More ›

• Lesson idea: James Bond observation challenge

  By Pete on November 19, 2015 • ( 0 )

  I don’t know about you, but I was quite disappointed with the latest Bond movie. I’m a big Bond fan, but I wish we could go back to the pun-filled days of Connery/Moore. Anyway, here’s a fun observation challenge based… Read More ›

• Lesson tip: creative displays

  By Pete on November 18, 2015 • ( 3 )

  

  The other day I did a creative writing activity with my teen class (ages 12-13). The activity was based on the teacher resources in English in Mind, and it worked well. Students had to describe the colours, sounds and smells in their… Read More ›

• Lesson idea: The planets

  By Pete on November 17, 2015 • ( 0 )

  Check out this great video – I came across it during the summer school at British Council HCMC. We did an activity where students described what was happening on each of the 12 planets. Then they created a 13th planet themselves, displayed their… Read More ›

• classroom organisation: some reflections

  By Pete on November 11, 2015 • ( 4 )

  

  I was re-reading a booklet the other day on how to use Cuisenaire Rods in class, written by John Evans whilst at LTC Eastbourne. It’s brilliant so look it up! Anyway, the first activity in the booklet involves using rods… Read More ›

• Product review: Newsmart

  By Pete on November 3, 2015 • ( 1 )

  

  Newsmart is a platform designed to help learners improve their Business English. It provides language learning experiences based on news content from Wall Street Journal. Learners can develop their grammar, vocabulary and comprehension skills by reading any of the six… Read More ›