May 12th is International Fatigue Syndrome Day. This day is set aside to recognize the fact that sometimes life can make us feel tired and worn-out. It is also a day to create an awareness on how sleeping problems and disorders can lead to serious health issues. Your ESL students might find this to be a familiar and interesting topic to discuss as they can talk about their own sleeping problems, habits and routines!
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Incorporate Authentic Material in Your Classroom
Using authentic material in your lessons can stimulate and capture the imaginations of your students. Original and native material such as newspapers, maps, brochures, menus and magazines are some ideas to bring real world language into the classroom.
Challenge Your Students with Task Based Lessons
Involving your students in real world tasks will help reinforce new skills and encourage the practical use of the language. Reading and comprehending a utility bill or a shopping receipt are some ways to motivate and enhance language learning.
Be a Guide on the Side, Not a Sage on the Stage
Student centred learning can go a long way in the classroom. Help stimulate student curiosity and encourage confidence by acting as a facilitator or guide and deliver lessons that reflect your interest in student experiences and learning skills.
Create an Enjoyable Learning Environment
Encouraging laughter and self-correction of mistakes in the classroom can help promote a positive learning environment that is safe and risk-free. Avoid criticism and judgement.
Remember the 80-20 Rule
Talking less and letting your students do 80% of it in class can reinforce speaking and listening skills in language learning. Encourage pair or group conversation after every lesson highlighting grammar points, new vocabulary and life/cultural experiences.
Monday, May 1, 2023
May Themes and Topics
Be sure to check out some of the suggested themes and topics for the month of May here! The main topic most of us will be talking about are MOTHERS and their important role in the family and in society!
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Happy Easter!

April Themes and Topics

Find more ideas on teaching topics this month here!
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
International Women's Day
International Women's Day is March 8th! This year's theme, Embrace Equality, challenges stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women's achievements. Various events and traditions will be taking place to honour and celebrate women's rights and achievements worldwide. Take the time to explore this global event with your ESL students and get them talking about the progress made, as well as the struggles that many women still face today.
See YouTube video - International Women's Day 2023
RECOMMENDED LINKS AROUND THE TOPIC OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY:
5 Minute English: Vocabulary and grammar exerciseESL Video: Video with comprehension questions on IWD
Women in World History: Reading about the past and the present
Have Fun With Your English: IWD Poem (video and script) by Maya Angelou
BBC: An interactive quiz on women's rights in British history
News In Levels: International Women's Days - Listening and vocabulary
ESL Holiday Lessons: A reading with follow up activities on IWD
My English Pages: Vocabulary related to women rights and equality
My English Papers: Seven Women Who Changed the World - reading
The Holiday Spot: A crossword puzzle on IWD with answers
ISL Collective: Worksheets on IWD donation site
ESL Library: A listening podcast on International Women's Day
Word Search Fun: A wordsearch puzzle on IWD
International Womens Day: A printable factsheet
Time For Kids: Worksheet on the History of Women in the Workforce (American)
Time for Kids: An activity worksheet on a women's suffrage march
Speak English: A lesson plan on IWD by ESL Library
International Women's Day: Resources for International Women's Day
March Suggested Teaching Topics
Where did February go? March is a busy month with lots of teaching topic ideas here that you can do with your ESL students. Starting with World Compliment Day on March 1st and then International Women's Day on March 8th. Wait...there's more.....it's St. Patrick's Day on March 17th, Earth Hour Day on March 25th, The Spring Equinox on March 21st ......I'm tired already!
Happy Teaching!
Friday, February 10, 2023
February is Black History Month
See recommended links on Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement here.
February Suggested Themes and Topics!

Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Happy New Year!
New Year's customs, traditions and celebrations can help generate some lively classroom discussions with your ESL students. It's also great for working on past & future tenses by discussing key personal or global events from this challenging year 2022 as well as plans and possibilities for 2023!
Warm Up Questions:
1. How did you spend Dec 31st, 2022? Was it different from previous years?2. Do you celebrate the coming of a new year in your country of origin? If so, what are some traditions and customs that mark New Year's Eve/Day and the start of the new year in your culture?
3. For many people, a new year represents a time for making positive changes in their lives. What do you think are some common resolutions/goals that people make? Why do you think it might be difficult for some people to stick to these resolutions/goals? What advice would you give?
4. Did you create any resolutions/goals last year (2022)?
5. Do you have any resolutions/goals for this year (2023)? If so, have you created a plan for achieving them? What about your friend and family members?
Recommended Links Around the Topic of the New Year:
ESL Holiday Lessons: Reading and follow up activities on New Year'sDaily ESL: Listen and read activity on New Year's Day
EL Civics: New Year's picture lesson with follow up activities
ITESLJ: New Year's Day conversation questions
ESL Printables: New Year's Resolution worksheets
ESL Library: New Year's lessons
BogglesWorld ESL: New Year's worksheets
ESOL Courses: New Year's worksheets and activities
Learn English Feel Good: New Year's Eve/Day vocabulary quiz
ISL Collective: New Year's worksheets
A4esl: New Year's Eve phrasal verbs quiz
My English Pages: A short reading on New Year's with comprehension questions
One Stop English: 3 speaking activities on New Year's PDF
ESL Flow: New Year's resolutions and talking about the future worksheets
Heads Up English: New Year's speaking activity PDF
Rong-Chong: New Years Around the World reading with follow up activities
TEFL Net: A lesson plan on expressions using the word "change"
Breaking News English: Reading and follow up activities on New Year's resolutions
Using English: New Year's resolution worksheet using adverbs of frequency
JenniferESL: YOUTUBE mini lesson on New Year's Resolutions
English - Zone: New Year's around the world traditions
Poetry.About: Classic poems about New Year's
Learning English with Michelle: Five New Year's Resolutions for ESL Learners
Brainy Quote: New Year's quotes
CDN History: New Year's By the Numbers
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
December: Suggested Themes and Topics
Be sure to take a peek at some of the suggested topics and themes for December here! The main theme of course will be the holiday season - decked out in colorful lights and cheery decorations! However, you may also want to discuss a bit about the history of December 25th and focus less on the commercial side of it. Depending on where you are, your students will most likely be surrounded by an abundance of holiday festivities, Christmas carols and red and green symbols in their community......so don't be afraid to get them all into the holiday spirit too - especially this year!
RECOMMENDED LINKS AROUND THE TOPIC CHRISTMAS FOR ESL STUDENTS:
ESL About: An easy reading on Christmas traditionsESL PDF: A vocabulary matching exercise on Christmas symbols (1)
ESL PDF: A vocabulary matching exercise on Christmas symbols (2)
ESL PDF: Intermediate vocabulary worksheet on Christmas words (1)
ESL PDF: Intermediate vocabulary worksheet on Christmas words (2)
Simple ESL: Easy Christmas word search puzzle
ESL-Galaxy: Christmas activities for beginners
Anglomaniacy: Christmas printable worksheets
Daily ESL: Christmas Day reading with listening
English Page: Christmas vocabulary fill in the blanks worksheet
Breaking News English: Christmas conversation and activity ideas
123 Listening: Christmas listening activities and follow up
EL Civics: A picture lesson with follow up activities about Christmas
BogglesWorld ESL: A collection of Christmas worksheets and activities
ESL-Lab: Reading: The Christmas Gift with listening and follow up activities
ITESLJ: Christmas conversation questions
Heads Up English: Conversation questions about Christmas
Many Things: The Origins of Christmas video
ESLFlow: Christmas activities and worksheets for all levels
ESOL Courses: A variety of online Christmas songs, lessons and activities
ESOL Courses: A variety of online quizzes and games on Christmas shopping
Teach-This: Christmas lessons and activities PDF
ESL Holiday Lessons: I Love Christmas Day reading and activities
ISL Collective: Over 600 Christmas exercise sheets: Donation site