September Topic: International Coffee Day!

One of my favorite topics....International Coffee Day is coming up this week! This day has been traditionally observed and celebrated on September 29th or  October 1st (depending on who you talk to) in many coffee loving countries.  If you or any of your students are java lovers, then what could be more fun than learning about coffee, its origins, and all its economic and health benefits. International Coffee Day is a great day for helping to raise awareness for fair trade coffee and for all its coffee growers around the world. Learn more about fair trade coffee here.

World-wide coffee vendors also look forward to this day and celebrate with giveaways and special deals for their loyal customers. Talking about International Coffee Day can make for a lively and stimulating class discussion (on any day, really) - especially for your coffee drinkers!

WARM UP CONVERSATION QUESTIONS BY ESL MADE EASY:

1. Are you a coffee or tea drinker? If so, how many cups do you drink a day?
2. Is coffee considered a popular beverage in your country? How do most people take it?
3. Can you name some popular coffee brands or businesses? Do you have any coffee chains in your country? If so, has this hurt or benefited the economy?
4. What is fair trade coffee? How do you think this has helped local farmers and communities involved in these coffee farms?

RECOMMENDED LINKS ABOUT COFFEE FOR ESL STUDENTS:

Rong Chang: An easy reading with activities on How to Make Coffee
Listen A Minute: Easy reading with follow up activities on Coffee
ESL Discussions: Discussion questions around the topic of coffee 
Elemental English: How to Order at Starbucks  
Road To Grammar: Is Coffee Healthy?.....video and exercises
BBC: Six Minute English - Coffee Addiction 
English-Test: Online quiz on the history of coffee 
WikiHow: Celebrate Coffee Day - with pictures
One Stop English: Reading lesson plans on coffee 
Breaking News English: A lesson plan on coffee
Reading ESL: A short reading with follow up activities on coffee
ESL Pod: Listening activity: Ordering coffee and tea
ESL Writing: Listening activity with questions: What is Coffee?
News English Lessons: A lesson plan: Coffee Drinkers Live Longer
Heads Up English: All About Coffee - advanced lesson plan pdf
Coffee: 20 Interesting Facts About Coffee

15 Things You Should Know About Coffee by Daily Infographic. Find here!

September Topic: Autumn Equinox

 

It's that time of the year again when the hours of daylight become shorter if you live in the Northern Hemisphere. For those of you who enjoy cooler days and nights, the changing colour of leaves, and wearing warm fuzzy sweaters, you don't have long to wait. 

This year, the Autumn Equinox is on September 22nd, or depending on where you live, September 23rd. Many of us recognize this time to welcome the change of seasons with traditional celebrations, symbols and festivities. And with that, comes plenty of vocabulary words and activities you can do with your ESL students.

 

Warm-up Questions:

1. Does your country recognize the autumn or spring equinox at this time of the year?
2. What is your favourite season and why? Has your preference changed over the years?
3. Do you think people are affected emotionally, mentally, or physically by the change of seasons?
4. What are some things in people's lives that change with the change of seasons?

 

RECOMMENDED LINKS FOR YOUR ESL STUDENTS:

Earth Sky: Everything you need to know about the September Equinox 

StickyBall: "Fall" phrasal verbs - definitions and worksheet 

ESL Printables: Autumn worksheets:  *lesson sharing site

Bogglesworld ESL: Autumn words bingo cards
Bogglesworld ESL: Autumn worksheets and activities

EL Civics: Autumn powerpoint with picture vocabulary and sentences
English For Students: Fall and autumn vocabulary 
ESOL Courses: Online quizzes, lessons and games about autumn 
Live Science: 5 odd facts about autumn 
Teach-Nology: Reading comprehension worksheet about the autumn season 
Worksheet Library: Acrostic poem - FALL 
Anglomaniacy: Autumn worksheets 
DLTK-Holidays: Autumn puzzles 
English Worksheets Land: Autumn worksheet - practice possessives 
English for Everyone: Autumn worksheet
Educator Worksheets: Reading and comprehension worksheet on the autumn season  
ESL Pod: Listening lesson - things associated with autumn 
ESL Tower: Worksheets on the four seasons 
ISL Collective: Autumn worksheet  *Donation site

Can Teach: Fall poems

It's Time to Teach!

Your ESL students whether returning or new,  online or in class will be feeling the September butterflies of "Back to School".  Make it easier for yourself and for your students by introducing a few ice breaker games and activities on the first day of class in order to create a comfortable and warm classroom environment.

Note: You may want to begin by having students ask YOU questions instead of volunteering information. It's a great time to also review question making too!

Here's a list of some sites offering first few day ideas (you might need to modify if online) and worksheets! 

ESL Activities for the First Day

First Day Worksheets

The First Day of Class Ideas

8 ESL Warm Up Activities

Getting to Know Your Students - Icebreakers and Activities

Whether you're teaching online or in class, all the best for an exciting, successful and most importantly, a rewarding school year!