The world needs BEES and there's been a lot of buzz about them lately! Did you know that in North America, one third of the food we consume wouldn't exist without bees and other pollinators?
Featured Posts
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.
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
June Suggested Topics and Themes
The world needs BEES and there's been a lot of buzz about them lately! Did you know that in North America, one third of the food we consume wouldn't exist without bees and other pollinators?
Monday, May 6, 2024
Happy Mother's Day!
Sunday, May12th marks a special appreciation day for mothers! Get your students talking about the roles of mothers in the family and in society as well as the modern history behind this well-known celebration.
RECOMMENDED LINKS FOR ESL STUDENTS AROUND THE TOPIC MOTHER'S DAY:
EL Civics: Mother's Day picture vocabulary lesson with activitiesDLTK-Holidays: Mother's Day worksheets
Jennifer ESL: A mini video lesson on Mother's Day
ESL Fast: Mother's Day short reading/listening
History: The history of Mother's Day - video
Ellii: Podcast and follow up worksheets on Mother's Day membership site
ESL Holiday Lessons: Mother's Day reading with follow up activities
My English Page: Mother idioms
ESOL Courses: Online Mother's Day reading and activities
ESL Discussions: Discussion questions on Mothers
Learning English With Michelle: Mother's Day songs and poems with follow up activities
Mother's Day Celebration: Mother's Day poems
See What Moms Really Want for Mother's Day by Plum District (Infographics Archive)
Monday, April 8, 2024
Earth Day - Suggested Themes and Topics!
RECOMMENDED LINKS FOR ESL STUDENTS AROUND THE TOPIC OF EARTH DAY:
Bogglesworld ESL: A word building activity on the words Earth DayMy English Page: Reading comprehension activity on Earth Day
Earth Day: A reading on the history of the first Earth Day
History: Earth Day videos and articles
The Holiday Zone: Activities and worksheets on Earth Day
ESL Discussions: Discussion questions around the topic "Earth"
Ellii: Earth Day lesson plan with activities
ESL Holiday Lessons: Earth Day reading with follow up activities
Little Explorers: Quiz on Earth Day using first letters
English Exercises: Earth Day vocabulary activity
LHRIC: Earth Day fill in the blanks quiz
Teach-Nology: Earth Day worksheets and activities
ESL Flow: Environmental issues and problems lesson plans and worksheets
Breaking News English: Reading lessons around the topic of the environment
DLTK-Kids: Earth Day songs, poems and quotes
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Happy International Women's Day!
International Women's Day is March 8th! This year's theme, Inspire Inclusion, encourages pledging towards women and girls worldwide to help them achieve their ambitions and to lessen the gap between gender inequality. 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.
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
International Women's Day: Resources for International Women's Day
Monday, February 5, 2024
February is Here!
Black History Month: Recommended Sites for Your ESL Students!
See recommended links on Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement here.
RECOMMENDED LINKS FOR TOPICS AROUND BLACK HISTORY MONTH:
Monday, January 15, 2024
Civil Rights Day
January 15th is Civil Rights Day in the United States. It is a day to celebrate and honor all those who took part in the American Civil Rights Movement (video) in the 1960's. It also celebrates the contributions of activist Martin Luther King, Jr., who was well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation and to promote black equality in the United States and globally.
RECOMMENDED MOVIE: THE HELP
Recommended for: High Intermediate/Advanced Students
An aspiring author during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s decides to write a book detailing the African-American maids' point of view on the white families for which they work, and the hardships they go through on a daily basis.
Listen to Martin Luther King's Famous Speech "I Have a Dream" - Have your students take notes and then discuss as a class.
RECOMMENDED ESL LINKS AROUND THE TOPIC OF 'CIVIL RIGHTS':
ESL Library: Martin Luther King Jr, Reading and Comprehension - membership site
Quizlet: Civil Rights Movement vocabulary flashcards
ISL Collective: Civil Rights Movement worksheet (reading and vocabulary)
English Online: A reading on the Civil Rights Movement with vocabulary
English Exercises: A listening and vocabulary exercise "Ruby Bridges Goes to School"
ESOL Courses: A lesson with activities on Rosa Parks
Discovery Education: Lesson plan on the Civil Rights Movement
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Happy Holidays!
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
RELATED ACTIVITIES:
SOON: What is Christmas like around the world?Merry-Christmas: Christmas trivia on traditions, food and music
ESOL Courses: Popular Christmas songs with lyrics, videos and follow up activities
Many Things: Learning video with words - The Origins of Christmas
Huffington Post: Ho-Ho-Ho That Holiday Spending - article
The Digeratilife: Holiday Spending Infographic - and Christmas Budgeting