A DipTESOL candidate got in touch asking for tips/recommendations for the Independent Research Project (IRP). Hmmm. Er… So, I’m just gonna write, then I’ll go back and try to pick out useful bits! Pfff. I learnt that according to Bolitho… Read More ›

DipTESOL tips
Reflections on the DipTESOL
Here are some short video reflections on my DipTESOL experience. These are meant for candidates on the new DipTESOL course run through DublinTEFL. I’ve explained more in this intro vid… Excuse the tiredness. And the lockdown hair! Barbers are shut… Read More ›
How to get a DipTESOL Distinction
Oh, come on! There’s no secret formula to getting a Distinction in the DipTESOL. You know that. I know that. But people are still gonna google ‘get a DipTESOL distinction’, and someone’s gonna top the search list. It might as… Read More ›
Spoken Grammar: a Guide for English Language Teachers
I got offered free access to this course on Udemy. I’ve been meaning to do it for a while. Finally got around to it and… wow! It’s very impressive. Course overview Spoken Grammar is a teacher training course. It provides… Read More ›
Using PronPack
I’ve been using PronPack a bit in class recently. I was going to review it, but I think it’s more interesting to write about how I’m using it instead. I’ve just taught my teen classes the phonemic chart and we’ve… Read More ›
DipTESOL exam: model answer
Someone asked on the ELT Planning Facebook page about model answers for Section 1 of the DipTESOL exam. I found one model answer here on this informative tesoldip blog. It doesn’t state the exact question asked, but you can infer… Read More ›
10 pronunciation books for DipTESOL trainees
Here’s my suggested reading list for the phonology component of the DipTESOL. I don’t want to mislead you – the course is 9 months long (depending) and you’ve a lot to do during that time. I’m not saying you should… Read More ›
Pronunciation articles for DipTESOL students
I’m trying to persuade our DipTESOL students to engage with some pronunciation-related research. I’ve hand-picked these five articles for their relevance to our context (well, the last one is more general), and I’ll be sharing them with our candidates this… Read More ›
DipTESOL review quizzes on Sporcle
Apps like Quizlet are full of good study sets for the DipTESOL course. Check out what’s on offer by clicking here (including a list by Martin Cooke, who I know reads this blog). Rather than add more to this, I… Read More ›
Dip Tip: Phonology review quiz on PlayBuzz
I’ve had a few emails from people studying the DipTESOL saying that my old review quizzes have disappeared! Turns out that Qzzr is now a ‘paid for’ site. Boooo! I’ve been working on alternatives. Here is a phonology review quiz… Read More ›