Category Archives: Uncategorized
Eight Great Reading Fluency Activities
According to the National Reading Panel, the four components of reading are: comprehension, vocabulary, fluency and alphabetics. As ESOL teachers we know how to teach vocabulary and comprehension, but fluency and alphabetics are terra incognita. So here, I introduce four classics and four more contemporary activities that focus on specific skill development in …
The Multisensory Checklist for Teaching Language
Here is a list I wrote to remind myself of the many modalities I can use in my class. Instructions: Just think back to your last week or two of teaching and check the boxes off. (To maximize this exercise, do it at regular intervals for several weeks.) Don’t expect to check all the …
Let’s Get Physical: Teaching Pronunciation
For pronunciation, I take a physical and playful approach. Many of my students are from Central America. They are reserved and find the expressive movements necessary for pronouncing American English quite embarrassing. I try to keep our pronunciation practice playful. As we practice, I make silly faces and try to get them to mobilize their …
Pause and Reflect: A Simple Way to Increase Student Learning
In the rush to pack classes with exciting activities, time for review and reflection often gets squeezed out. But those rare quiet moments are essential to effective learning. They allow students to consolidate their learning, commit new information to memory, assess their understanding, and identify areas for more practice. The basic ingredients to a …
Dealing with Latecomers to Your Class
How do you deal with latecomers? Tell me!
Take the poll. Add your comments.
In a few weeks I’ll write up teachers’ ideas about how to deal with students arriving late to class.
