BICS and CALP in a nutshell BICS and CALP was an idea first proposed by Prof Jim Cummins in the early 1980s. BICS stands for Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills, and CALP is Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency. Here’s what they are:… Read More ›
Here are a couple of game-based resources you could use for EAL learners reading Varjak Paw. Our Year 4 students have really enjoyed the book (I did too, although I didn’t like the ending!). Anyhow, here’s a Kahoot! to play… Read More ›
Just a quick review resource for EAL learners. Our Year 9s were studying key events in WW2, including: Dunkirk Evacuations The Blitz Rationing Here are a couple of Wordwalls to help with reviewing the events / keywords related to them…. Read More ›
What might be optimal ESL provision in international schools? Alderfer and Alderfer (2011) state that there is no unifying set of criteria to assess ESL programs in international school contexts. Their research sets out to provide one. The authors outline… Read More ›
Just a quick one! Twinkl ESL are currently offering free access to users in South America in response to school closures. Miranda’s doing a great job at Twinkl and offering loads of awesome resources, many of which can be adapted… Read More ›
This review of The Routledge Handbook of Teaching English to Young Learners by S Garton & F Copland (Eds) first appeared in IATEFL Voices Issue 276. This handbook provides an overview of teaching English to young learners across a wide… Read More ›
I’m currently doing a PGCEi through the University of Nottingham. The course is specifically designed for international educators with a focus on improving professional practice. It is an 11-month course which is mostly distance learning, although there is a short… Read More ›
In my post the other day I mentioned self-observation of online teaching. Paul Ashe commented that all these video recordings are great for peer observations too. Absolutely! The whole online teaching/learning experience is awesome for peer obs, especially for someone… Read More ›
Every cloud and all that. Online learning may not be ideal but it provides some great opportunities for CPD. The last time I filmed myself teaching was, wow, during my DipTESOL (2014). I remember filming my lessons to analyse my… Read More ›
Talk about a weird situation. I started a new teaching job on April 1st. I haven’t met my students face-to-face (well, you know, apart from virtually). I haven’t met my colleagues face-to-face either. I haven’t set foot in my new… Read More ›
ELT Planning 