Recent Posts - page 2
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Does IGCSE ESL miss the mark?
I like teaching IGCSE ESL although I’m not sure it’s always suitable for my learners. Here are a few thoughts I have on it, both good and bad. Note, I’m writing about the Cambridge course here, as it’s the one… Read More ›
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Bell Assessment Framework: Guide for International Users
A few months back, I wrote about the CEFR and the benefits of reading the Companion Volume. Similarly, the Bell Assessment Framework also has a companion doc – a ‘Guide for International Users’. It’s a concise and accessible resource. Well… Read More ›
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EAL video summaries for parents
Earlier this year, we trialed video reports for our EAL parents and learners. Here’s a summary of what/why/how, pros, cons, etc. What were the video reports? We provided parents with a 5-minute video summary of their child’s progress across all… Read More ›
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EAL student voice
We request feedback on our EAL provision from learners twice a year – towards the end of Term 1 and Term 3. We are open to further feedback at any point, but that’s just when we request it. How do… Read More ›
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Our EAL exit process
As mentioned previously, our EAL learners follow a bespoke curriculum. Here’s some info on our exit process for learners moving from ‘EAL support’ into mainstream English classes. Step 1: A learner is referred by EAL teachers & coaches for possible exitWe… Read More ›
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EAL recruitment: sharing information with candidates
In this post, I will provide an example of the information we share with applicants for our EAL roles. I’ll start with the example, then I’ll outline: So, here it goes… This is a copy-paste of the information we shared… Read More ›
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Some general tasks for a new EAL department
I’ve posted a bit about the process of setting up a new EAL department. I’ve mentioned target setting, establishing teaching and learning principles, quality assurance processes, long- and medium-term planning, blah blah. You can view the posts through my Teaching… Read More ›
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IGCSE ESL LinkedInLit (Volume 1)
Here’s a collection of my #LinkedInLit posts about IGCSE English as a Second Language. These are my latest ELT funnies, following on from TEFL Sniglets, Materials Writing Conversations and Crusader of Materials Writing The story of Bob and the BlackBerry… Read More ›
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EAL long-term and medium-term planning
I recently shared an example unit of work from our EAL syllabus. Here some further insight into the long-term and medium-term planning for our syllabus. We are only in the second year of setting up our provision. Year 1 was… Read More ›
Featured Categories
materials writing ›
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Materials writing conversations #20: The title
September 7, 2025
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Materials writing conversations #19: vague briefs
October 31, 2024
DipTESOL tips ›
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DipTESOL Independent Research Project
August 10, 2021
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Reflections on the DipTESOL
June 29, 2021
teacher development ›
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AI experiments: IGCSE ESL speaking assessment bank
February 8, 2026
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EAL adaptations: Lonely Planet Travel Writing
February 8, 2026