Class: Beginning Listening and Speaking for adult ESL students Size: about 45 students, but there were around 35 today Activity: I wanted to get the students paired up with someone they didn’t know or someone that speaks a different language. If I just tell them to move around, they usually don’t follow through. So I … More Teaching Technique: Pair Formation
It’s been several years since I’ve written on this blog. I feel it’s time that I return to it and try some new things. First, I’ll work to post about every week about a teaching strategy I have learned/read about and tried to implement in the classroom. I’ll explain the technique and my findings for … More Starting Up Again
At my last position, I helped interview potential candidates to take over my job. It was an illuminating experience to be the one evaluating a candidate’s abilities and whether they were a good fit for the position. In addition, I gleaned over resumes with my colleagues and I noticed several errors among resumes. This never … More ESL Jobs: Application and The Interview
Finding an ESL post in the United States is not too difficult, but it does help to live in more urban areas where there are various job opportunities for potential students. If you want to teach ESL for K-12, you’re in luck. While I lived in suburban Maryland, I noticed that many public schools were … More ESL Jobs: The Job Search
One of my students did a presentation about how to acquire U.S. citizenship. She brought up Selective Service, how men between the ages of 18 to 26 need to be registered in this system in case a draft is imposed in the country. I never really knew about Selective Service until I saw my husband’s registration … More U.S. Citizenship: Understanding Selective Service
I recently stumbled upon the website freerice.com, a non-profit owned by the United Nations World Food Program. It’s an addictive game with a nice payoff–for the amount of questions you get right (and the amount of rice you put into the bowl on the screen) sponsors donate food to fight global hunger. This is a … More Learn a Language and Feed the Hungry!
I found this great video explaining the rather extensive history of English. Enjoy!
With all the new things the cell phone can do, I’m not surprised that my students are riveted to their devices. They’re calling, texting and showing each other photos of their families. Ok, great, but now it’s time for class. Normally, I start class by putting up my phone and telling the students to turn … More Texting in Class
As I write this, the national anthem of the United States is playing on my television as I watch yet another Olympics medal ceremony. I really enjoy listening to the melodies of anthems from other countries. My mother-in-law owns a double CD set filled with every national anthem available. So when I’m nearing the end … More Anthems Lesson Filler Class
It recently came to my attention that while I was watching the Olympics opening ceremonies, the NBC broadcast omitted part of the event. I was a little annoyed that I was watching yet another interview with Michael Phelps (of course he’s a great athlete, but he’s all over the news already). I discovered from The … More Olympics Ceremonies Omission and American Blinders
Teaching Adult ESL Students
Teaching Adult ESL Students
Strategies, methods, and resources that will help meet the needs of English language learners (ELLs).
Language and Laughter 