A few discussion activities for English language students
What discussion activities work in class? Tekhnologic, winner of the British Council’s Teaching English blog award for a post on setting discussion goals, shares a few ideas. A discussion can bring out your students’ interests and motivate them; it’s a chance for them to talk about the things they really care about.
The Twelve Memes of Christmas : a seasonal homework challenge
To keep your students busy over the holidays (if you have holidays in your teaching context, and if not you may just want to add a bit of seasonal fun to classes in December) and to practise some digital remix literacy, here's a little challenge. As you can see, it's based on the carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas, and to introduce the challenge and get into the remixing mood, there's nowhere better to start than the song itself and some Youtube parodies. For the original song there's a very kitsch karaoke version here (and lots of others to choose from if you want something a little less chocolate box).
The Coop Times
All stories written in this game are automatically published to The Coop Times newspaper - read them here. By Adam Carr - @2HitAdam with special thanks to Omeed Dariani, Jola Pez and Matt Carr for submitting extra prompts! Music "Big Fish" and "Full Hand" by playonloop.com CC BY 3.0 If you've enjoyed my game and it's within your means, please consider giving back <3 I'm near broke at the moment, and donations help me keep making these games! So you wanna be a journalist, huh? Lemme give ya some pointers there hotshot, it's not half so glamorous as the silver screen makes it out to be.
BATTLESHIP: IRREGULAR VERBS
Much to learn, you still have. – Joda. Despite the evidence that the number of irregular verbs is declining in the English language, there is no danger they will disappear, and the struggle will continue. There are many attempts to find a shortcut in learning irregular verbs, yet with all the options and “magic tricks” available, learning these verbs requires much memorization, drilling and practice.
English Vocabulary Quizzes Using Images
a4esl.org English Vocabulary Quizzes Using Images Quizzes to Help You Learn and Review Vocabulary This is a part of The Internet TESL Journal's Activities for ESL Students <HR NOSHADE SIZE=99><h1>Warning</h2><B>These quizzes require a JavaScript-enabled browser</b><BR><TT>You have JavaScript disabled or a browser that doesn't support JavaScript.<BR><TT>You need either Netscape 3 or newer OR Explorer 4.0 or newer.
Folding 5 Pointed Origami Star Christmas Ornaments
These 5 pointed origami stars are easy to fold and make beautiful Christmas decorations. You can make them from magazines, scrapbook papers or sheet music, whatever you happen to have lying around. We don’t have our tree up just yet so for now I’ve put these Christmas star decorations on our mantelpiece. One of the 5 pointed origami stars is folded from scan of a dictionary page and the others are made from vintage style scrapbook papers. I went for vintage patterns but you could equally well use bright Christmas colors. I also tried hanging them on the mirror in our living room and I think they look quite nice there:
10 Illustrated English Idioms That Will Make Your Life Easier
For many people learning English for the first time it can be daunting and complex language to master. Lots of silent letters, complex spellings and odd expressions which often go over the heads of most non-English speakers. To make learning English a little easier, Irish illustrator Roisin Hahessy has created some wonderfully simple yet funny pictures to help make things a little clearer. She's also a part-time English teacher in Brazil so she uses the series to aid her students as well. Now whenever you hear any of these English idioms, thanks to Hahessy at least now you'll have a better idea of where the conversation is heading!
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Storia Teaching Guide
Book Summary Arnold, aka Junior, introduces his hardscrabble life on the Spokane Indian reservation in the first chapter called The Black-Eye-of-the-Month Club. Through his “absolutely true” diary, Arnold describes his impediments and vulnerabilities, the biggest of which is living on a reservation where he is a zero with a zero future. A pivotal conversation with a teacher spurs Arnold to make a daring life choice—to attend an all-white school miles from the reservation. His rocky start there, riddled with stereotypes and misunderstandings, slowly develops into surprising friendships and successes in academics and basketball.
100 English Synonyms to Expand Your Vocabulary – Espresso English
A synonym is a word with the same or a similar meaning as another word. For example, the words big and large are synonyms. Buy and purchase are also synonyms – although we tend to use “buy” in a more informal context, and “purchase” in a more formal context. Keep in mind that some synonyms in the list below might not be “perfect” synonyms – there may be slight differences in meaning and connotation.
Pronunciation
Pronunciation Lessons Intonation - Intonation is the rising and falling sounds of the voice when speaking. Intonation (Part 2) - Phrasing - In addition to the intonation of a statement, there is another aspect of speech that indicates meaning -- phrasing. Intonation (Part 3) - Contrast - Once the intonation of new information is established, you'll soon notice that there is a pattern that breaks that flow. When you want to emphasize one thing over another, you reflect this contrast with pitch change.
