Recent Posts - page 5
-
A unit from our EAL syllabus
At my school, we have created a bespoke English syllabus for learners on our KS3 EAL pathway. This may not sound like an ‘ideal’ model of EAL provision to you – and fair enough. Ideals are subjective – provision is… Read More ›
-
Cover letters for international school jobs
How do you approach writing a cover letter/supporting statement for international school roles? Here’s what I do – I’ll explain it with some examples from previous applications… Step 1a: Research the school. Get a genuine sense for the mission, ethos… Read More ›
-
Embedding EAL in-class support
When we set up our EAL department last year we started with one HoD, one EAL teacher, and two EAL support coaches. As the HoD, I teach an 80% timetable. Our teacher has a full timetable. Our coaches oversee about… Read More ›
-
Another year in review
2024 vibe: PGCEi and AO QTS go-to! This year, I decided to get Qualified Teacher Status in England. It was a great decision to do this through the Uni of Sunderland – I’ve blogged about the overall experience and the… Read More ›
-
Assessment Only Route to QTS: Interview Presentation
Part of the interview process for the AO Route to QTS (Sunderland) is delivering a presentation. You do this during the live interview. The presentation lasts approximately 20 minutes, and it’s recorded for moderation. During the interview you should respond… Read More ›
-
EAL response to literature displays
I recently mentioned how our learners created a final display board in response to a unit on poetry. Here’s a screenshot of what our common assessment checklist looked like for the final product: I could scrutinize here – there’s room… Read More ›
-
Conventional, common-sense vocabulary and grammar instruction (Boers)
Boers (2021) outlines six explicit vocabulary and grammar teaching practices that are backed up by research. He does so almost apologetically, noting that most of the practices align with more traditional/conventional methods, and that they also seem ‘commonsensical’. I lack… Read More ›
-
One of our research areas is missing
I’ve been flicking through Jamie Clark’s Teaching One-Pagers recently, and overall I’m a big fan. Evidence-informed summaries of research and practice – informative, accessible, perfect for the staffroom coffee table. As Oliver Caviglioli points out in the foreword, One-Pagers is… Read More ›
Featured Categories
materials writing ›
-
Beyond the coursebook for tiered EAL provision (Part 3: sub-skills)
August 27, 2026
-
Beyond the coursebook for tiered EAL provision (Part 2: vocab!)
August 25, 2026
DipTESOL tips ›
-
DipTESOL Independent Research Project
August 10, 2021
-
Reflections on the DipTESOL
June 29, 2021
teacher development ›
-
Beyond the coursebook for tiered EAL provision (Part 1)
August 24, 2026
-
EAL Digest August 2026
August 16, 2026

