Open classes, or classroom observations, are stressful for everyone. Teachers may feel uncomfortable having their every move noted; students may not act naturally due to unknown persons in the room; administrators and/or parents give up time they could be using to get something else done. Continue reading
How to Write an Essay for ESL Students (and Teachers)

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This month, my academy will hold an essay competition for our students. We will provide a variety of topics for our students to choose from. Each class, grades one to five, will write an essay or paragraph according to their abilities and appropriate level (with the teacher’s instruction). So, that brings to mind the question… Continue reading →
Five Things Teachers Can Do to Improve Learning For ELLs For the New Year
I came across this excellent page on Colorin Colorado’s website. Colorin Colorado is an ELL website based in the United States, and they work with ELL students and families. They have plenty of tips and resources for teachers and parents! I’d like to share these tips with you!
Ho! Ho! Ho! It’s Almost Christmas! – Five Fun Holiday Activities for ESL Students!
Doesn’t that look cozy? The warm fireplace, decorated tree and living room, the colors and lights… just makes you want to curl up in that rocking chair with a good book and a glass of wine, while listening to Bing Crosby, right?
Christmas is just a couple of weeks away. That means planning for vacation trips, buying gifts, visiting relatives, and a little break from school (much-needed for both students and teachers). Christmas also is a great holiday in which you can teach about virtues of kindness and hope, Christmas music, winter sports and activities, and favorite toys and other things. You can also spend time making crafts and decorating your classroom!
Teaching ESL to Adult Learners
Have you ever taught ESL to adults?
I have. For the past two years, I have taught a short-term English conversation class to Korean adults at the Andong City Library; the class lasted for 15 weeks in the spring and again in the fall. It has been a positive experience for me as I have been able to learn new skills and try different strategies. Teaching ESL to adult learners comes with its own issues, but also has some advantages that don’t come with teaching children. Continue reading →
Ten Common Mistakes ESL Teachers Make in the Classroom (And How to Fix Them)
Nobody is perfect. That’s the truth. It’s the same for doctors, lawyers, parents, students, and teachers. Nobody likes making mistakes. Big or small, mistakes can kill self-esteem, loom over our heads like some grim reaper created out of our own idiocy. In a classroom, teachers often make mistakes early on in their careers; veteran teachers make mistakes, too.
Building Phonological Awareness in Kindergarten ESL Students
Teaching young learners is like taking care of a plant – it takes dedication, patience, and daily care. You need to water plants daily, give adequate sunlight and air flow. Then it will grow into a beautiful flower, or leafy plant.
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In the same way, teaching young learners takes lots of preparation, daily instruction and practice, and a whole lot of love and patience. Helping children develop social, personal, and language skills is all part of a teacher’s job.
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In developing language skills, building phonological awareness is one of the building blocks of development. I recently came across a fantastic article focused on this topic, and I’d like to share part of it with you. Continue reading →
Americans Speaking English as a Second Language: 18 English Phrases Foreign to Americans
At 339 million, English has the third most native speakers in the world. And with the countless people speaking English as a second included, English is easily one of the most prevalent and ubiquitous languages on earth. The problem is, with over 170,00 words in numerous dialects, English is also one of the most complicated languages to learn. It’s no wonder that Americans can feel like things have been lost in translation when travelling to other countries that speak English.
How to Become an ESL Teacher
A job as an English as a Second Language teacher is a great option for anyone who loves languages, people, and is looking for a flexible career option. Some ESL teachers work as adult literacy teachers and GED teachers in the states; they also work as private tutors with students or adults. Others work abroad in other countries helping people learn a second language.
40 Best Sites for ESL Study Materials, Textbooks, and Software
As an English as Second Language (ESL) student or teacher, you probably need all the help you can get in learning and in teaching this language. Online materials are readily available, including study guides, textbooks, and software. ESL software usually is not free, but we’ve included some reasonably-priced tools in this list, as well as several resources for free textbooks. As an addition, we also included several ESL forums for students and teachers, where you can ask for help or look for ESL teaching jobs. Continue reading →