Tag Archives: teaching teenagers

Sharing …

Posted on April 20, 2012 by

I teach speaking classes with groups of teenagers at a local High School once a week.  There’s a team of us all doing the same thing and to cut down on our workload, and to offer continuity across the classes, … Continue reading →

Posted in lesson ideas, using images | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Looking back at Bilbao (1) teen angles from Chris Roland

Posted on March 20, 2012 by

Here’s the first in a series of posts inspired by the TESOL Spain conference in Bilbao. Which in turn was inspired by the ever photogenic Guggenheim building right opposite on the other side of the river. After the conference one … Continue reading →

Posted in conferences, lesson ideas, reflecting on teaching, thoughts on teaching | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Carnaval

Posted on February 16, 2012 by

It’s the Thursday before carnival weekend.  Preparations are being made throughout the town. The lights are up, the burger and hot dog stalls are in place, there are fluorescent wigs and plastic hats fluttering in the wind in the cathedral … Continue reading →

Posted in lesson ideas | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Let it snow …

Posted on December 5, 2011 by

This lesson plan is an old-favourite of mine.  It’s based on a poem by Carol Ann Duffy and is great for a winter’s morning, afternoon or evening – especially if it’s been snowing.  But it works just as well if … Continue reading →

Posted in using literature in the ELT classroom | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Back to the drawing board

Posted on November 23, 2011 by

This is a very simple lesson outline that worked well for me.  It grew out of a lesson plan prepared by a colleague for the team of teachers teaching supplementary skills classes in a local state school.  For me it … Continue reading →

Posted in reflecting on teaching, thoughts on teaching | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

A tale of two lessons

Posted on October 11, 2011 by

(of circles and squares) Last Thursday I taught two lessons, back-to-back, with two classes from the same school, with students from the same year, following the same syllabus and studying for the same exam. Not surprisingly, I guess, I used … Continue reading →

Posted in reflecting on teaching, thoughts on teaching | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

Shoplifting

Posted on June 24, 2011 by

Here is another collaborative story writing idea (see also Urban Tale and Early Mornings).  I first used it with a class of teenagers.  They responded well to the topic and the structure and the shyer students enjoyed the “mask” that … Continue reading →

Posted in creative writing, lesson ideas, using images | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Questioning the question

Posted on April 8, 2011 by

This is a technique I’ve been using with my mixed level high school classes recently.  The aim is to generate ideas before writing a composition using question words as prompts.  It’s very simple, very basic, but so far has been … Continue reading →

Posted in thoughts on teaching | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments