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Sophisticated English for Global Souls
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21
JUN
2016
Teacher in front of students at an adult education class

Teaching Matters: Preparing Student-Centered Materials for the Classroom

  “If it is language that makes us human, one half of language is to listen.” – Jacob Trapp (1899-1992), American religious leader   Part 3 of Teacher Edition Tuesday, a weekly series based on ten teaching tips from the recently released Compelling American...
14
JUN
2016
Hands of young potter

Teaching Phrasal Verbs – Fun with Take and Make

Many phrasal verbs with "take" and "make" have multiple meanings and are easy to confuse. By "taking" a look at context, we can "make" comprehension easier!
07
JUN
2016
students discussing notes

What makes a conversation-friendly English, ESL or EFL classroom?

  “There is a role and function for beauty in our time.” – Tadao Ando (1941–), Japanese architect Introducing Teacher Edition Tuesday, a new weekly series based on ten teaching tips from the recently released Compelling American Conversations – Teacher Edition! What makes a...
02
JUN
2016
college students discussing project on laptop in classroom

Do you use Teachers Pay Teachers Yet?

“They know enough who know how to learn” – Henry Adams (1838-1918), historian Where do millions of dedicated teachers find affordable, readymade lessons? What if you could reap real benefits from all of your original supplementary classroom materials? Why haven’t we done this...
03
JAN
2015

‘Verbal Energy’ column quirky, insightful, fun

Christian Science Monitor’s Ruth Walker spotlights English as a fascinating language   “There is no such thing as “the Queen’s English.’ The property has gone into the hands of a joint stock company, and we own the bulk of the stock.” Mark Twain...
10
DEC
2014

Ask Why Your Students Want to Learn English

“Well begun is half done.” Ancient Greek proverb Sometimes we forget the most basic questions. What brings the students in your English class into the room? Are they fulfilling school requirements, pursuing academic achievements, or creating new possibilities? How do...
22
NOV
2014
Girlfriends

Conversation Tip #10: Know when to wrap-up

Ending conversations and looking forward to new ones!   “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” -Walt Disney (1901-1966) American business magnate, animator, producerEvery...
15
NOV
2014
Two students in a discussion

Conversation Tip #9: Ask questions

Questions keep the conversation flowing   “Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.” -Voltaire (1694-1778) French Enlightenment WriterAsking questions always generates more conversation; after all, an answer always follows. As mentioned before,...
08
NOV
2014

Conversation Tip #8: Engage in the surrounding world!

Immersion in literature, current events, arts stimulates conversation   “When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.” -Walt Disney (1901-1966) American business magnate, animatorAre your students sometimes unsure of what to talk about? Perhaps they...
01
NOV
2014

Conversation Tip #7: Appreciate silence

Accept–and enjoy–the inevitability of silence! “Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.” -Francis Bacon (1561-1626) English philosopher Many Americans feel uncomfortable with silence, even on crowded elevators or standing in lines with strangers. Some Americans...