Here I write about tips and tricks for better teaching.
No worksheets and copy-paste notes. Only ideas and views.
I used to think that I am a good teacher, that I can keep my students engaged and motivated, that I can always come up with the right decision. Illusions of early teaching years. Illusions of disciplined Chinese classrooms. But the moment, I stepped into a Turkish classroom, was a real eye-opener. I work in… Read More A crash test on classroom management
The worst thing that can happen to a teacher is to stop learning. It may be the moment of weaknesses or even the point of no return, because how can one be a good teacher if there is no understanding of how it feels in the learner’s shoes? Vague memories of university years are not… Read More Teacher’s approach to learning
Doing my research for DELTA I came across an amazing mind map which puts together lots of theory, names and explanations. The best part is that you’ll be able to see connections and a general picture. Click here and you’ll see the full size image: http://cmapspublic3.ihmc.us/rid=1LNV3H2J9-HWSVMQ-13LH/Learning%20Theory.cmap I wish I could praise the creator, but, unfortunately, I… Read More Learning theory mindmap (priceless)
FToday I have finished reading a great book “Genre, Text, Grammar: Technologies for Teaching and Assessing Writing” written by Megan Watkins and Peter Knapp (2005). It suggests a very elegant way of teaching and assessing any kinds of texts from the genre position. As each genre has its specific features of texts, it can be a good… Read More How to assess writing (if all other systems seem to fail)
I have a tradition of asking my students for a feedback in the end of each semester. It looks like this: I prepare a nice envelope for their “letters”, give all of students pieces of paper and ask them to reply to the question “What do you think about “skills” lessons?”. That’s it. The topic… Read More Your opinion is important to me.
In the changing world of language teaching trends and a growing number of conferences together with piles of ELT books, we need some clear landmarks to find our way. It will help to make decisions in bookstores, in conference announcements and will allow us to sound confident and well-equipped for a teaching position if someone… Read More ELT names you should know
