Teaching Matters: Do Our Students Need to Swim in English or Pass Grammar Tests?
February 19, 2016
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Here is a short list of important questions for our English language learners. Can they order food in a nice restaurant? Can students fill in…
Read More“Good Enough”: English as a lingua franca & a uniting force
February 12, 2016
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“I’m a great believer that any tool that enhances communication has profound effects in terms of how people can learn from each other, and how…
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Ask Why Your Students Want to Learn English
December 10, 2014
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“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…
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Conversation Tip #1: The right attitude is key
September 20, 2014
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Positive attitudes generate positive experiences Photo by Teresa Ling “In order to carry a positive action, we must develop here a positive vision.” -Tenzin Gyatso…
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Perfection and grammar: not essential for ESL students, or even native speakers
September 17, 2014
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Certain grammar rules unnecessary for comprehension, everyday conversation Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons “Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.” -Salvador Dalí (1904-1989)…
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Between life and death: Zombie nouns privilege pretentious vocabulary at the expense of simple clarity
August 15, 2014
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The nominalization of nouns creates abstract, dry and often misleading language “Simplicity is the glory of expression.” -Walt Whitman (1819-1892) American poet Sometimes, it’s fun…
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McREL standards provide universal guide for teachers
July 14, 2014
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Foreign language classrooms could benefit from McREL standards “You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream.” ―C.S.…
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English as a lingua franca unifies people
July 13, 2014
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Emergence of ELF unites people, brings praise, and generates discussion on English student needs “I’m a great believer that any tool that enhances communication has…
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‘English is Stupid’ spotlights new teaching, learning approach
July 12, 2014
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Source: Busy Teacher Judy Thompson discusses how to overcome English as a crazy language “English is a funny language that explains why we park our…
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Learning by Doing and Making “Good Mistakes” in English classes
June 28, 2014
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Why English learners must practice and make “good mistakes” in order to grow “A man’s mistakes are his portals of discovery.” ―James Joyce (1882-1941), Irish…
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