Author Archives

Teacher and Materials Writer

• Crusader of ELT Materials Writing: Part 2

  By Pete on June 6, 2023 • ( 0 )

  

  Geoff walked through the woods in search of the Tentacles of Target Markets. ‘This is a lot of effort’, Geoff muttered to himself, ‘an updated brief from the publisher would have sufficed.’ Then he remembered the first rule of brief… Read More ›

• Crusader of ELT Materials Writing: Part 1

  By Pete on June 2, 2023 • ( 2 )

  

  ‘Right,’ exclaimed Geoff, ‘it’s time for another project with the Big Four’. He gave his kids a big hug – he was unlikely to spend quality time with them for a while. He apologized in advance to his wife for… Read More ›

• Materials writing conversations #15: The Amusement Arcade

  By Pete on May 22, 2023 • ( 0 )

  

  We’re off to the amusement arcade for publishers! Yes, it’s for amusement only…

• Materials writing conversations #14: The Packager’s Price Is Right!

  By Pete on May 3, 2023 • ( 1 )

  

  Completely imaginary. Host: Okay, let’s see who our next contestant is… Announcer: PETE, COME ON DOWN! Pete: OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG! *runs down from the studio audience* Host: Give him a big hand! Pete, you joined us with… Read More ›

• WalkThrus parent workshop – Tom Sherrington

  By Pete on May 2, 2023 • ( 0 )

  

  I attended a parent workshop this morning by Tom Sherrington, co-author of the WalkThrus series. Sherrington is working with Bangkok Patana School to help embed an instructional coaching programme in the primary school. The workshop was good timing for me,… Read More ›

• Materials writing conversations #13: Brief creep

  By Pete on April 24, 2023 • ( 1 )

  

  This is 100% made up.

• Review: Teaching WalkThrus

  By Pete on April 13, 2023 • ( 4 )

  

  Teaching WalkThrus: Five-step Guides to Instructional Coaching is a glossy collection of 50 strategies for enhancing teaching and learning. It’s from John Catt Publications, authored by Tom Sherrington and Oliver Caviglioli (see here and here for my previous reviews of… Read More ›

• In brief: Changing Perspectives on LGBT Representation in ELT Textbooks

  By Pete on April 11, 2023 • ( 0 )

  

  Author: Ben Goldstein Date: 2021 Goldstein begins with a quote from Scott Thornbury, who draws attention to LGBT invisibility in published language resources: Where are the coursebook gays and lesbians? They are nowhere to be found. They are still firmly… Read More ›

• Review: Off the Page

  By Pete on April 4, 2023 • ( 3 )

  

  ‘Off the Page: Activities to bring lessons alive and enhance learning’ (Thaine 2020) is a resource for practicing and trainee teachers. It aims to provide a range of activities which supplement and enhance coursebook-based provision – helping teachers to lift… Read More ›

• Materials writing conversations #12: Comments

  By Pete on March 29, 2023 • ( 6 )

  

  This is a completely imaginary conversation. No characters in the convo are based on real people – I’m just bored and imagining conversations I might have with editors, etc… (Draft 1) 1. Discuss the questions in pairs*. • How often… Read More ›