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  “The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge.” – Thomas Berger (1924-2014), American novelist What is teaching “unplugged?” How does this approach enhance language learning for students? What kinds of activities can English teachers implement...

“You have to know how to accept rejection and reject acceptance.” – Ray Bradbury (1920-2012), American author Speaking skills – in particular interview skills – matter. Job interviews – a perennial topic on this blog – are often stressful, especially for English language...

“Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff.” – Dr. Richard Carlson (1956-), bestselling American author and psychologist Creating a classroom atmosphere of tolerance, understanding, and constructive criticism remains a constant challenge. How do you help your ESL...

  “I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think.” -Socrates (c. 470-399 BCE), Ancient Greek philosopher   What are “good mistakes?” How can we – as teachers of English – encourage students to make more of them? When can we use error as an...

“Everything becomes a little different as soon as it is spoken out loud.”  —Hermann Hesse (1877-1962), German novelist and 1946 Nobel Prize winner   What’s the difference between speaking English fluently and speaking accurately? Which one takes priority in the classroom?...

“The mind is not a vessel that needs filling but wood that needs igniting.” —Plutarch (45 – 120 AD), Ancient Greek essayist and biographer What is the biggest threat to the higher education system? Rising tuition costs? Declining student enrollment? Lower academic skills? Or, is...

“If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro’ narrow chinks of his cavern.” – William Blake (1757-1827), English poet, painter and printmaker   The concept of...

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” -James Beard (1903-1985), American author   Previously on the blog, we’ve addressed how to make positive first impressions in a variety of settings, from a handshake to a professional email. But table manners...

Teaching email etiquette remains an essential challenge for English teachers. Here's some practical advice for writing the body of any professional email.

From subject line to closing remark, email etiquette is more than just good manners; it's essential for modern professionals in school and the workplace.