Author Archives

Teacher and Materials Writer

• Review: TEFL Training Institute (TTI)

  By Pete on October 16, 2023 • ( 0 )

  

  This review originally appeared in IATEFL Voices 292. You’ll be pleased to know that Voices reviews have a 400 word limit, which saves you the pain of all my usual rambling in reviews! Haha. TEFL Training Institute (TTI) is a… Read More ›

• Reflection: Drop-in observations

  By Pete on September 27, 2023 • ( 4 )

  

  Informal drop-in observations are the way forward. Well, they’re the norm in many places. But where they’re not, they should be. Why invest all that time in recruitment, have teachers go through round after round of interview, sometimes do demo… Read More ›

• 11 Great ELT Editors

  By Pete on July 15, 2023 • ( 4 )

  

  I’ve worked with some awesome editors as an ELT materials writer. I don’t praise them enough or acknowledge the support they’ve given me. So, here are 11 people who have been AWESOME to work with and that I’d easily recommend… Read More ›

• Back to the classroom!

  By Pete on July 9, 2023 • ( 2 )

  

  My year as a freelance writer is over. I’m really looking forward to a return to the classroom next month. Here’s what I’ve been up to since last August, and a bit about what’s happening next. Freelancing I finished my… Read More ›

• Materials Writing Conversations #16: ‘Undermatter’

  By Pete on July 7, 2023 • ( 0 )

  

  Workbook Unit 1, Draft 1 – Feedback Editor: Thanks for the great content. However, there is some undermatter in Unit 1. I know we said to have two grammar practice activities. Can you add one more in which the grammar… Read More ›

• Intensive English programmes – what to include?

  By Pete on July 6, 2023 • ( 1 )

  

  In my last post about intensive English programmes at international schools, I highlighted the importance of integrated (rather than segregated) provision. Think of the social/academic language the learners would develop from being immersed in the mainstream environment. The rich input… Read More ›

• Intensive English programmes at international schools

  By Pete on July 5, 2023 • ( 2 )

  

  Some half-thoughts on Intensive English Programmes at international schools. Feel free to comment and share your experiences. Intensive English Programmes have become a big thing at international schools in my region. As part of my recent job hunt, I researched… Read More ›

• Crusader of ELT Materials Writing: Part 5

  By Pete on June 22, 2023 • ( 2 )

  

  Geoff was ready to change coursebooks for the better. He just didn’t know exactly where to start. He sought advice from Siri. ‘Hey Siri’ ‘Mmmm hmmm’ ‘Find a list of the most common criticisms of ELT coursebooks’ ‘You’ll have to… Read More ›

• My first experience as a Lead Author

  By Pete on June 19, 2023 • ( 5 )

  

  I’ve just finished my work as Lead Author of the new Pearson-Edexcel IGCSE ESL Student Book. This was my first ‘Lead Author’ role, and it involved a few duties on top of general writing. Here are some examples of those… Read More ›

• Crusader of ELT Materials Writing: Part 4

  By Pete on June 15, 2023 • ( 0 )

  

  Geoff felt guilty about using ChatGPT to create his first drafts. It was the start of the project and he should be full of his own ideas. ‘I can fall back on AI tools once the publisher has stifled my… Read More ›