I stepped into the blogosphere by joining in “Blogathon 2011” that took place on the TeachingEnglish website. Being involved in a blog marathon has been one of the best moves in my professional development. It was my first blogging experience, but I was so lucky to have met so many great colleagues ready to swap ideas [...]
I’ve put on my marathon t-shirt (number 120) again and started running at the blog marathon. Feeling very excited and full of energy, I’m trying to reach the finish line. The Blogathon has been a lot to me so far. As one of the silver award winners of last year I opened the doors of [...]
There are a lot of endings. Happy endings, sad endings, twist endings, ruined endings, surprised endings and so on. Endings and beginnings are like matryoshka dolls. One closes the other and one opens the other. Then each beginning is an ending and each ending is a beginning. Blogathon has been a marathon start for me. [...]
“We have a mind. We have feelings. To separate the two is to deny all that we are. To integrate the two is to help us realise what we might be.” George Isaac Brown says. “When learning a foreign language, feelings of uncertainty, and even fear often develop in the learner. It is clear that [...]
This is a little quiz to have an idea about your students’ brain dominances. The test was given by Gulfem Aslan, a teacher trainer, at a seminar in British Council in 1999. Thanks to her. 1. Are you better at recognizing and remembering names or faces? Choose one: Names Faces 2 .Are you an organized individual [...]
This is a very enjoyable writing activity that will make your lessons stunning and impressive. 1. Find a picture story. There are many nice pictures in writing books. 2. Find some sounds that can refer to each picture. Try to find more than one for each picture. Your aim in here is to make the [...]
I am sure you also have students who do not do their homework. This must be one of the most common problems of us as the teachers. And I am one of those teachers. My Problem The students who don’t do their homework. What I always do Keep a record of the students (in a [...]
Last summer, I went to England with my students. As you can guess, it was a big responsibility. When I learnt I was accepted as the group leader of the students, I felt so happy. Thanks to my school! It was a summer school programme providing some trips to many places. Of course, my favourite [...]
I think a special relationship emerged between me and the Blogathon t-shirt. The number on it is so familiar as if I’ve always had it. ‘120’ is so close to me now like my telephone number (probably an extension one because it is too short!) or my door number or an ID number. One of [...]
Students like to be awarded. Who doesn’t? Some of them really try hard for a little sticker, others are so relaxed about it. There are also some who does not care at all. I like awarding students and I think awarding them for their efforts in English makes me awarded, too. I usually prefer awards [...]
Preparing exams, tests, worksheet and handouts take time and energy so you have to keep them well like a treasure. What I’ve been doing since I started teaching is keeping an archive. In the first two or three years of my career, archiving for me was putting everything in nice pinky files and putting them [...]
Do you want your students to pay incredible attention to the projects you assign? Then you should try to make a webquest. A webquest is a kind of assignment (on the internet) asking the students to use the internet. It is as easy as blogging in here. · Make sure the topic is interesting for your [...]
Through the Foreign Language Week activities students understand the importance of learning a second language and become aware of the other cultures. They also find an opportunity to express their own culture and compare it with others. They understand that they should respect other cultures, languages, accents or dialects, too. Moreover, they are inspired with [...]
Corridors decorated for the Foreign Languages Week Have you heard about ‘Foreign Language Week? In our school we celebrate it annually. During this week, we decorate the corridors and classrooms with many different projects of the students. Each grade has a different project and the students begin to prepare at least 3 or 4 weeks [...]
If you have 5 or more ‘YES’ answers: You are a teacher. If your answer is ‘YES’ for question 5: You are an extra – ordinarily creative (and maybe a little crazy like me) teacher. If your answer is ‘YES’ for question 6: You are a teacher of the new generation and you try to [...]
Note down your answers please! 1. Are you often warned by other people because you speak loudly, especially when you receive a call in the middle of a restaurant or when you are telling about an event ambitiously? 2. Do you usually find yourself thinking about what to do at work for tomorrow? 3. Do [...]
Have you seen the video of the flying girl? There are many comments about it on the internet and it is already on the news on TV. They say that it was probably filmed in Russia. Some say that it can be the exercise of a little acrobat using some special ropes, others state that [...]
Use technology to share: As 21st century teachers, there is no need to waste paper, time and energy. You can use the website of your school to share information if possible. Or you can make group folders for your classrooms in an e-mail account of yours to inform the parents at the same time only [...]
Friends? or Enemies? I think the answer can change according to the role you will choose. Will you be the one who is completing the pieces of the puzzle or vice versa? Let’s be logical! Who would want an enemy (especially at work)? Parents are like the backside of the medal. For me, the other [...]
Some students and sometimes some classes are somehow difficult. You may not catch the sparkle at first or even later. You may find yourselves dealing with unkind behaviours and thoughtless words of the students in the middle of a present perfect exercise, then this may become the hardest time ever. The age of the students [...]
5. Professional development: Search for the seminars, workshops and conferences which will take place on holiday and try to attend them. 6. Be with your family: Spend your time with your family. You have been so busy for the last couple of months. Why don’t you find some activities (such as cooking, doing puzzles or playing [...]
I’m teaching English for 13 years and I feel lucky feeling the spirit still in me. The biggest reason may be the passion I found in my job but there are more behind. Like emptying the trash in my mind and pulling positive energy into myself. As teachers we suggest our students a long list of things [...]
Add to Google
Latest Comments