Why do I learn?
To be very frank – I’ve been going through a rough patch. Can’t run anymore, feeling half my normal self. Just not up to things and just not sparking as I always did. I’ve been reading, as I do when I step back in order...
Tagged: professional development
What I know now but didn’t then
Teaching a language isn’t as easy as it sounds – to do it well. Just showing up to a class and speaking (we call this modeling language) is only half the job. And that other half is an art form that one acquires over the...
A Teacher’s Invisible Knowledge and Skill
Let me start with a question. Which of the girls above speaks the most fluent English? Can you put them in order from best to worst fluency? Now that you’ve done that – note that these are the “Wondergirls”, a Korean girlband phenom. They are...
The #1 …. (EFL Prof. Development site)
** Not your ordinary, endless list – just what’s number 1. The British Council’s – Teaching English Last week I wrote about the #1 Professional Development site for ESL. This week, the focus is EFL. I’m a big fan of the power of “Teaching Voices”,...
ELT Chat – great professional development
I would like to highlight ELT Chat – a twitter chat that happens every Wed. at 12 and 21 hr. GMT. (check the World Clock). Vote below on the topic for this week! What happens is that great educators offer tips and thoughts on the...
Teaching is ….
This is an abridged version of my closing graduation speech I recently gave (and blogged about) where I work. Words to those entering the teaching profession. Something more heartfelt and personal. Sorry for the bad audio but I did this in one take and without...
Guest Posts….
I’m a true blue believer in “sharing”. Not just resources but also our own teaching ideas and experience. We all have something to share and add to the benefit of the wider community. Praxis > informed action or as I see it, “walking the talk”...
Every book has its cover, every lesson (should) have a hook.
Yes, every book does have its cover and for a reason. The cover is the most important part of the book. Why? Well not because it tells the story or has “content” or “stuff”. Rather, because it fires us up, it gets us motivated, it...
The #1 ….. (way to tell a teacher is an expert)
** Not your ordinary, endless list – just what’s number 1. They use the whole classroom Teachers that use the whole classroom and make every part of it “their home” — are most likely to be those that are “great teachers”. Inexperienced and less effective...
The Devil’s in the Details – Small Musts.
I just spent a day evaluating Korean teachers in their classrooms, as part of the TEE (Teaching English in English) program. I’m going to keep away from that topic – it’s still too raw, so to speak. However, I did take lots of notes and...
Presentations to help new teachers
I have many presentations both on our Professional Development page, on our Practice Page and on our Teacher Training page — which provide many tips and pointers regarding teaching language. Here are the main ones in video that might benefit those newer teachers starting to...
How God made “the teacher”.
It isn’t easy being a teacher, is it? So much we have to do and be capable of – almost takes super human ability. However there is one quality that truly sets a great teacher apart. Watch this presentation and find out what I think...
Teaching Struggles – Some Medicine.
I have the honor and privilege of quite often giving end of year, end of course, graduation and other speeches to teachers. I take it seriously and usually end with a story. Stories work well and inspire. One of the ones I’ve used most often...
Reflective Teaching Practices in ELT
I recently attended Kotesol’s National Conference. It was themed upon “Reflection and Prof. Development”. I had a great time (thanks to all who attended my own following day workshops!) and sat in on some excellent lectures/presentations. But the highlight was the opening plenary by Dr....
An open source TEFL Certificate. Possible?
I’ve been working hard on something that has been “pregnant” for several years — a teacher training (TEFL) certificate. As many will know, I really want “quality” when it comes to teaching, I really want content and the profit model put in its proper place...
Teaching Tips from the Trenches
I recently got a barage of requests for “advice”. I really am honored and EVERY time try my best to give the most and most apt advice I possibly can given all the variables involved. This got me thinking and of course, “out popped a...
Top 5 Warning Signs the Teacher isn’t yet a Teacher
I know I’ll take a lot of flak for this and I know it isn’t the standard way to go when talking about “teaching” (the standard approach being to talk about what is “good” teaching), however, during my years of helping teachers, I’ve come upon...
Reader’s Comments