Yes, another Wordwall post. No, I’m not on commission. It’s just a great tool. I forgot to mention the ‘Set Assignments’ feature in my previous posts. It’s a really useful diagnostic tool. Make your game. Click to share it and… Read More ›
ESL
Reading tasks for homework
Hiya, hope online learning is going well. Here are some random reading tasks I set for homework. Each student chooses one of these to do a week. These are in a big folder on my desk, but they’ll be adapted… Read More ›
Lesson idea: Apollo 11
I wrote this lesson last year for the anniversary of the first moon landing. Decided to post it now for a few reasons: It might still be useful to someone. It’s an interesting topic. I found it quite a useful… Read More ›
Research in brief: Critique of BICS and CALP
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 ›
Review: Work It Out with Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verb resource books you’ve used… GO! Okay, so there was a good one on the bookshelf at LTC called ‘Illustrated Phrasal Verbs’. Me and Sketch used it so often that the student’s book fell apart (only one copy –… Read More ›
Materials Writing news and views, October 2020
Just a few things this time. I’m out the loop at the moment, enjoying my teaching too much! Facebook groups for writers There are a lot of Facebook groups for ELT writers these days. If you would like to share… Read More ›
All reviews from ELT Planning
Russ Mayne suggested I should have a post or page listing all my reviews. So, here it is. It turns out there are quite a few. As always, all views are my own and these reviews are highly subjective! Before… Read More ›
Research in brief: Alderfer ESL Program Assessment Tool
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 ›
Free access to Twinkl
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 ›
23 Ways to Use a Text in Your ESL Classes
Reading. One of the big four, along with elephants, lions and rhinos. Or is it listening, speaking and writing? Who knows. Either way, my question for you is: when was the last time your students were actively learning a new… Read More ›
ELT Planning 