ESL Teaching and Learning Tips

How to be a creative teacher? -- Nada Pal

Hello Ian Nada and Im studying English and I will be teacher I just want to know how can I be an creative teacher thank you

What does it mean to be a "creative teacher"? -- Turnoi

First of all, be clear of what being a creative teacher entails: 1. Be creative in your lesson planning. 2. Be creative in preparing your activities for class. 3. Be creative in implementing in class ...

Tips to Create New Teaching Activities -- Ivana

Are you a teacher? Are your class activities starting to bore you? Do you feel like your students need more encouragement during your lessons? If your answer to any of these questions was “yes”, ...

teaching high schoolers -- Lauren

Hello, I'm looking for advice on how to work with Chinese high school students. I have some experience teaching English language learners at the kindergarten and pre-K levels, but this is the ...

Re: teaching high schoolers -- Turnoi

I have had some very brief experience with Chinese High School students and the school administration myself. Some of the administration people seem to think that foreign teachers who are adults and ...

Teaching skills -- Kaibigan

I am working on my graduation paper in the field of Human Resource Development. For this, I am looking for teaching skills which I can use as a benchmark for Asian schools (more specifically ROC). ...

Re: Teaching skills -- Turnoi

I might be able to help but I need some more information on the context in which teaching skills play a role in Human Resource Development in the ROC. For example, if you want to recruit staff ...

Teaching deaf, non-verbal, illiterate man -- Mary Woodward

I've been asked to give time and "teach" a middle-aged man from Bhutan who is deaf, non-verbal, and illiterate in his own language. So far we have done OK with me miming, and taking photos of him ...

Re: Teaching deaf, non-verbal, illiterate man -- Turnoi

This is really an interesting and decent student you have. In this situation, you could only appeal to his "intuition" and perhaps also his creative mind by showing him the numbers in the written ...

Beginning English in grade 3 -- Tom

I am teaching English in a primary school that begins teaching English in grade 3, with 8-10 year old children. The textbooks used, however, were designed to teach 5-6 year old children beginning ...

Re: Beginning English in grade 3 -- Turnoi

It is somehow strange that the school you are working at does not seem to have the proper student books for it students beyond the Phonics and basic literacy level. You haven't said in which part ...

Re: Reading to Learn English -- Barbara

Greetings, All of your tips were helpful. Can you give me an idea of how to get started teaching/tutoring esl? Sincerely, Barbara

Re: Reading to Learn English -- Dr. Turnoi Turjakuunnen

Barbara, it seems that I found your post a bit late. I am more or less the person having taken over Dr. Yanni Zack's column as he does not post here any longer. I would love to give you some ...

Beginner: Providing ESL services for 7 year old boy -- Jana

Hello...I am currently tutoring a 7 year old boy who is chinese and speaks very little English. I have tutored him for the past 2 years. Last year I worked primarily with him as a volunteer in a ...

Re Beginner: Providing ESL services for 7 year old boy -- Turnoi

Jana, in this case, I would prepare a small report on what your experiences and observations are with this 7 year old boy. Try to be accurate and list the most important points, and try to be brief. ...

Re Running an English Corner -- Teacher#12,123

I've taught at two schools here in China, and have never truly understood why E.C.s exist. I've found that running an English Corner is more closely related to being an entertainer. Anything ...

Re: Re Running an English Corner -- Turnoi

I've taught at two schools here in China, and have never truly understood why E.C.s exist. I've found that running an English Corner is more closely related to being an entertainer. English ...

Re Teaching English at a Kindergarten -- J

Hi Josie, Gees, I'm a teacher at a kindergarten near Hangzhou, well, I teach at 7 different kindergartens. I was pretty much the same as you when I started out. Good of you to post online, I ...

Ontesol TEFL Video: Teaching Grammar Communicatively -- Ontesol.com

Most English teachers feel comfortable teaching a conversation lesson or a lesson that integrates other skills such as listening, reading or writing. They show creativity in those lessons and include ...

Ontesol TEFL Video: Why is Lesson Planning Important? -- Ontesol.com

Lesson planning is the most important section of a TESOL/TEFL course.

Video: Teach Kids English Show #1: Smile -- dreamenglish.com

Today I am talking about a simple idea: smile!

Video: Teaching Kids Warm Ups -- dreamenglish.com

Video: Fun Reading Games for Kids : How to Teach Kids New Words with "Throwing Dice" the Reading Game -- expertvillage

Learn how to teach your kids new words with "Throwing Dice," the reading game for kids, in this free video series on teaching kids to read and like reading.

Video: English Lesson: starting conversation, icebreakers, small talk -- EnglishMeeting

A proactive language learner doesn't wait for someone to tell them to do something - they speak to people in English because they know it will help them advance their language skills. This video ...

Video: W pronunciation & ESL "Misunderstandings" Film -- EnglishMeeting

Pronouncing the /w/ sound correctly in North American English - Mouth positions with the /w/ sound in common words along with sentences and phrases. A short "fun" film follows the lesson that shows ...

Video: "TH" Pronunciation English Meeting ESL Lesson -- EnglishMeeting

Students from around the world enrolled in EnglishMeeting Courses work with Dave Sconda to improve their pronunciation and work on some parts of the course.

Video: Teach English: ESL / EFL Teacher Training Part 1/6 -- GenkiEnglish.net

TEFL Class Video: Teaching Listening Skills To ESL Students in the Classroom - Students' Needs, Activities -- International TEFL Academy

TEFL Instruction: How to Teach Listening in the ESL Classroom. Video series from International TEFL Academy Online TEFL TESOL certification course. Including: - Students' Needs - Listening ...

TEFL Class (video): How to Teach Writing Skills in the ESL Classroom - Process Writing, Text Structure -- International TEFL Academy

TEFL Class Instruction: How to Teach Writing Skills in the ESL Classroom. Video series from International TEFL Academy Online TEFL Course. Including: - Process Writing - Text Structure - Assessment ...

TEFL Class (video): How to Teach Listening Skills in the ESL Classroom - Types of Listening, Difficulties -- International TEFL Academy

TEFL Class Instruction: How to Teach Listening Skills in the ESL Classroom. Video series from International TEFL Academy Online TEFL Course. Including: - Types of Listening - Listening Difficulties ...

TEFL Class (video): How to Advise Students on Improving their Pronunciation - Read Text Out Loud, Sing Along -- International TEFL Academy

TEFL Class Instruction: How to Advise Students on Improving their Pronunciation. Video series from International TEFL Academy Online TEFL Course. Including: - Read Texts Out Loud - Sing Along to ...

TEFL Class (video): Teaching Cultural Sensitivity -- International TEFL Academy

TEFL Class Instruction: Teaching Cultural Sensitivity in the ESL Classroom. Video series from International TEFL Academy Online TEFL Course. Become TEFL TESOL certified to teach English overseas with ...

TEFL Class (video): How to Teach Pronunciation Skills in the ESL Classroom - Word & Sentence Stress -- International TEFL Academy

TEFL Class Instruction: How to Teach Pronunciation Skills in the ESL Classroom. Video series from International TEFL Academy Online TEFL Course. Including: - Sentence Stress - Word Stress Become TEFL ...

TEFL Class (video): How to Teach Pronunciation Variation in the ESL Classroom - Allophonic & Sentence-Level Variations, Basics of Phonology -- International TEFL Academy

TEFL Class Instruction: How to Teach Pronunciation Variation in the ESL Classroom. Video series from International TEFL Academy Online TEFL Course. Including: - Sentence-Level Variation - Allophonic ...

Private Lessons to 3 & 4 year olds -- Sarah

Hello, I have been asked by a friend of a friend if I would give English lessons to two 3 & 4 year olds. The mother would like me to come twice a week for one hour at a time and only conversational ...

Re: Private Lessons to 3 & 4 year olds -- Turnoi

Yes, at this age small children are just beginning to develop the linguistic skills in their on native language. This is what you should bear in mind when teaching them some English in addition. ...

Vocabulary and Speaking Activities for Secondary School Students (age 14-20) -- Patrick Malone

Hello. I'm a ESL teacher with the Peace Corps in the Sub-Saharan East African nation of Rwanda. I'm in the middle of the second term (they operate on a trimester system) and am still ...

Re Vocabulary and Speaking Activities for Secondary School Students (age 14-20) -- Turnoi

I am currently not in the position to reply in depth and to offer any kind of helpful advice. I suggest that you try to ask for assistance from your other Peace Corps colleagues in the area if there ...

Teaching english as a second language -- joy

I work in a Sri Lankan School. Trying to teach some local students english...........how to go about it.........the classrooms are crowded and children are not interested...always classroom is very ...

Re Teaching english as a second language -- Turnoi

Joy, there are many other teachers having the same problem with overcrowded and noisy classes. For teachers in the West, there is something they are studying during their teacher training - it is ...

Re Teaching English at a Kindergarten -- Jack

You could try games that at the same time they play and learn.

new to the esl scene -- jen davis

Hi I got hired at a school to work as an esl teacher, I have no previous esl training and was wondering where to start. I am basically trying to figure out how my student can learn to write in ...

Re new to the esl scene -- Turnoi

Jen, it is a bit difficult to give a concrete advice because you have not included details on the English language skill level of your student. From a practical point of view, you may start with ...

Re: Conversational English -- Katherine

Hello; yes, I do teach conversational English. Same as I am trying to start a program myself to do on the side. I teach at our community college. I love teaching it. thanx Kate

ESL Beginners -- k-2 -- Brett

Hi, everyone. I got my ESL certification about 1 1/2 years ago. I've just been subbing since then, since I haven't been able to find a job yet. However, it looks like a job opportunity for me ...

Re: ESL Beginners -- k-2 -- Cara

I finished my MA in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in ESL. I have also been out of the teaching field for awhile. I recently started tutoring and wanted to review some teaching methods. ...

Re: ESL Beginners -- k-2 -- Turnoi

For kindergarten level, I suggest to start with pictures to teach simple words like "apple", etc. You should perhaps also start with some phonics introducing lettersk, combination of letters, and ...

Re: ESL Beginners -- k-2 -- Merry

hi, I agree with the previous post, songs, games, these are you best bets. The youngest group I teach is 3rd grade and they love "Duck, Duck, Goose." Do you remember this game? I have them sit in a ...

Kindergarten Games Help -- Karen Chubay

Hi, I am a Canadian teaching in China at a wonderful kindergarten but most of the kids do not even recognize the letters of the alphebet and the school wants me to teach phonics. No problem except ...

Re: Kindergarten Games Help -- Turnoi

For mere reasons of interest, I have googled "Phonics" some time ago, and indeed - a lot of different resources were shown as a result of that search. I suggest you do the same; it probably would ...

Re: yeah. -- Amanda R.

Ali. That is an amazing idea! My husband and I host our first English corner tomorrow night and I am totally going to use it!

Breaking bad habits -- Annie

I teach business and general English to adults. I find one of my biggest challenges is teaching upper level conversation students who have a good level of fluency, but with some deeply ingrained ...

Re: Breaking bad habits -- Turnoi

What you describe is a group of relatively advanced learners who have adopted a certain type of errors by habit. That advanced learners dislike drills and similar types of activities is also clear - ...

Teaching beginner ESL 4-5th -- Lauren

Hi, I would like some suggestions on how to teach the basic skills such as the alphabet and phonics to older students. I do not want to offend them with materials and lessons that seem too "babyish". ...

Re: Teaching beginner ESL 4-5th -- Turnoi

The kind of materials you could and perhaps also should use depends on the educational level of your students. It is clear that you university students are to be taught in different way than perhaps ...

discipline in a foreign language -- Bri

I am teaching at a private school in South America. I teach children 4-7 years old and find that when I try to provide instruction that is disciplinary in nature (sit down, listen, be quiet,etc.), ...

Re: discipline in a foreign language -- Samantha

This can be tough. I taught Kindergartners here in the states who were all ESL students, so the first day I had the rude awakening that they had no idea what "lining up" meant. Because of the ...

Re: discipline in a foreign language -- Turnoi

I have no real experience with the kind of problems you are having as I have never taught children at that age. The reasons for the children ignoring your instructions can be manifold - they may ...

Teaching adults - private lessons -- Anna

Hi there, I'm an English teacher from Spain, and I've been teaching English for three years. I usually teach children and teenagers, but now I'm starting to teach adults in private ...

Re: Teaching adults - private lessons -- Mark Yates

Remember that in the classroom you are the expert. You are the one who decides what your student needs but, like a good doctor you can present it in different ways. However, don't tell a student ...

Re: Teaching adults - private lessons -- Turnoi

It is good to read that you spend a lot of time on looking for ideas and lesson planning as this certainly would help to make your lessons creative and interesting. I am not sure if I could give you ...

Tips for teachers -- Ted

1.If you going for first time dont think your self as very experienced teacher, it may prevent to mingle with real class room atmosphere. 2.Try to be friendly with children. 3.Tell lot of jokes, if ...

Class observation activities -- Ted

1. Seating arrangements - every teacher is so different, so you may find that each teacher you observe will have his or her class arranged a different way. You may even want to sketch out in your ...

Illiterate but speaks a little -- Anne

I'm an English language trainer for a corporation in Saudi Arabia. There is a Sri Lanki cleaner who can a few words of English but is absolutely illiterate. Can anyone advise me on beginning to ...

Re: Illiterate but speaks a little -- Turnoi

Anne, It's great that you want to help the Sri Lanka worker to become literate in English. There are two questions to ask first: 1. Does she speak some basic English already? If YES, the better. ...

Teaching one absolute beginner -- Steph

Hello, I would like to ask for advice on strategies to use to teach one absolute beginner in a class of beginners that read at the 1st/2nd grade level. I work in a high school with a small ESL ...

Adult ESL and field trips -- luvnchub

I teach Adult ESL at a private language school in the US. These are 8-week intensive courses, 4hrs/day, 5 days/wk. Our students are mostly Koreans who live in isolated Korean communities where they ...

Re: Adult ESL and field trips -- Mark Yates

Looks like a cultural problem. Maybe they don't want to lose face by "getting it wrong". I wonder how you could adjust their criteria so that they only lose face when they don't do anything. ...

Re: Adult ESL and field trips -- Turnoi

It seems that your students do not respond to your well-intentioned teaching methods too positively. If so, the reason for this may be sought in the fact that the Korean cultural background of your ...

Re: Adult ESL and field trips -- luvnchub

Thanks for your input. I should clarify that we do have two textbooks, a functional language student textbook and a grammar book. 2 hrs. of each day is devoted to basic grammar structures which ...

Teaching Iraqi to write? -- Anna

I am a Junior in High School and I recently came across an opportunity for a three week Arabic semi-immersion beginner program that my state offers. I have applied and have been accepted. After I ...

Re: Teaching Iraqi to write? -- Turnoi

Well, I really like your intentions of getting involved in a culture other than your own and to have an interest in the Arabic language. To teach her reading and writing, I think you perhaps may need ...

Re: Teaching Iraqi to write? -- Anna

This will not start until after I take the 3 week course on Arabic so I will probably have a basic knowledge of the language by that time. Which is why I needed someone to teach me more vocab etc.. ...

Re: Teaching Iraqi to write? -- Turnoi

Anna, here is a link for you leading you to some free and excellent resources for an introductory study of Arabic: http://www.fsi-language-courses.org/Content.php?page=Arabic I suggest that you start ...

English Broadcast/Video Lessons -- Alli

Hi! This is my first time teaching ESL and I am working at an Elementary school in Korea. They would like me to do weekly "English Broadcasts" which would be a video of me doing a lesson on camera ...

Re: English Broadcast/Video Lessons -- Turnoi

My advice صخعمwould be this: 1. Prepare the topic you want to present in the video lesson well. Concentrate on that. 2. Do not care/bother about the other things troubling you ...

How to deal with a noisy classroom -- teacher

I am student teacher and I am dealing with a noisy middle school classroom. The are out of control. I cannot scream over them. It's an inner city school in a bad neighborhood. My cooperating ...

Re: How to deal with a noisy classroom -- Turnoi

I can well imagine this to be some kind of hell that is not easy to deal with. I do not know what kind of practical advice I could give in such a matter. But I would like to mention some points that ...

teaching esl to asian children -- Marian

Hi! I'm a newbie when it comes to e.s.l teaching. Although I have been an English proficiency teacher in the Philippines for almost a year, but e.s.l for children is a new challenge for me. i ...

Re: teaching esl to asian children -- different ways

Everyone learns in different ways on certain subjects let the kids pick which style the want to do (sing or dance, art, report, model or teach themselves). See the seven ways we learn. Use this as an ...

Re: teaching esl to asian children (unmotivated students) -- k

Welcome to my world! I have the same problem every day, but with classes of up to 35 unmotivated primary aged students. I figured out some time ago that to provide the motivation, a different ...

Re: teaching esl to asian children -- a teacher

Read them a story. Dr. Seus, Charlottes Web. IT's English LIT Let them learn the VALUE of English. Put a word on Each Kids front and have them stand up and make sentences and show them proper and ...

Re: teaching esl to asian children -- Teacher

I teach much older students (9th and 11th grade), but I have found that the key to keeping them engaged is to gear the instruction towards something that is important to them; just because we as ...

Re: teaching esl to asian children -- fyi

Teaching ESL is tricky, but what I found was a good storybook was great. The kids may not understand the English, but they love the pictures. Once they are involved in the pictures, you can ask ...

Re: teaching esl to asian children -- am

You should get a kid book with lots of pictures so if they dont understand the words they can get an idea of whats going on in the story by the pictures so they also get an idea of what the english ...

Re: teaching esl to asian children -- Turnoi

How old are these children? Normally, you could teach them the same way you would teach other (native?) children - games, action in the classroom, singing, etc. You could use pictures to ask ...

Re: teaching esl to asian children -- Caity

I have a very diverse class as well. I have found these strategies extremely useful when working with ESL children (especially in the primary grades) - use a lot of pictures to show what you are ...

Re: teaching esl to asian children -- Yanni Zack

Marian, Welcome to the world of teaching ESL to children. Here are some suggestions: With young children, the primary goal for teaching is to teach them vocabulary. I would suggest that you use lots ...

teaching ESL to adults with different levels of English -- Sherrilyn M

I teach a group of about nine Spanish speaking adults. Their levels of proficiency vary from pretty good English to very little. I have a reading program that I used before I retired. (this past ...

Re: teaching ESL to adults with different levels of English -- cd

There are a few techniques that can help you deal with this sort of situations, but the most important thing is that you must give the slower learnes all the confidence to speak up even if they make ...

Re: teaching ESL to adults with different levels of English -- Turnoi

First, I really do admire your efforts to do the very best for your students whatever you can. And fortunately, your report contains sufficient details to make a realistic assessment as far as this ...

Business English books -- Mike

Hi everybody! I'm in South Korea, and I need a book for a group that I teach. I would prefer one or two books to cover these topics: - Business Presentations - Business Conversation - Business ...

Re: Business English books -- Turnoi

The choice of a textbook mainly depends on an answer to the following points: - what do you want to teach, and what does the textbook cover? - how does the textbook cover the topic in terms of ...

how to teach a diverse classroom of students -- Nada

Hello Dr Zack I need to know what are the advantages and disadvantages of teaching a multi age and multi cultural class and how can I manage the particular class?

Re: how to teach a diverse classroom of students -- Yanni Zack

Teaching a diverse group of students, including multi-age students can be quite challenging. One suggestion I have is for you to first determine the different skill levels and proficiency levels for ...

Re: how to teach a diverse classroom of students -- Turnoi

In fact, it is quite normal in the private ESL industry (training centres) to teach ESL/EFL to a multinational audience with diverse linguistic native speaker backgrounds. Since English is the ...

Korean High School -- K

Hello, Last year I was teaching in a private institute (kindergarten and elementary). This year I am going to be teaching in a Korean high school. I am wondering if anyone has any good techniques, ...

Re: Korean High School -- Turnoi

For this age group, there are some things to be borne in mind: Most of these students, do not stop learning outside school but would still attend extra-curricular learning sessions in the afternoon. ...

no experience -- Mary

I am an English teacher in a parochial school. I have one student who is not a native speaker. Traumatic events brought him to our school when he was a freshman. Now I have him as a junior. He is a ...

Re: no experience -- Turnoi

First of all, allow me to commend you for trying to give this young man some extra help. The subject-verb agreement is very basic in English (unlike in other languages like German, Finnish, Russian ...

Re: no experience//Additional Note -- Turnoi

Regarding verb-subject agreement in English, let me add that in addition to adding -s for third person singular in the present tense, there still is the somewhat defective conjugation pattern of the ...

4-5 year old ESL learners! -- Brittany

Help! I'm teaching a class of 4-5year old ESL learners. They can speak fairly well, using "My name is.." "I'm 4years old" their favorites colours, etc but they have an attention span of 5 ...

Re: 4-5 year old ESL learners! -- Yanni Zack

Brittany, Since your kids have a short attention span, you are going to have to create learning activities that are short in duration. My advice is to incorporate music into your teaching. See if you ...

Re: 4-5 year old ESL learners! -- Turnoi

I am afraid I cannot offer any concrete advice than just this one: From what you describe, the problem seems to be concentration. Maybe, some of the kids could be hyperactive..... Why not sometimes ...

motivating students -- Mohammad Masum

Dear sir,I am spoken and writing English teacher from Bangladesh.I got some problem with my students and I know the reason but I do not know the solution.In my institute students are coming to learn ...

Re: motivating students -- Turnoi

Classroom instruction always is a very artificial situation of linguistic communication in a foreign language. Motivation to communicate in a foreign language, on the other hand, normally comes in ...

Re: motivating students - additional information -- Turnoi

Here is some additional info on software for creating multimedia-featured and interactive language quizzes. Download this free software from: http://hotpot.uvic.ca/index.php#downloads Don't ...

Re: motivating students -- Yanni Zack

Masum, The way to motivate your students is to create activities that include them in the teaching, i.e.cooperative learning experiences. Here is an example: Have them role play a certain situation, ...

grammar -- monique

I've been in the US approximately seven years. I am finishing a bachelor's degree right now. I need to improve my writing skills especially in writing papers. My English teacher makes ...

Re: grammar -- Turnoi

I am a writer myself, and it very often happens that I have to write texts for books and articles in one of the several second/foreign languages that I know (English, German, French, and Chinese). ...

Re: grammar -- Dr. Yanni Zack

Monique, I commend you on getting your Bachelor Degree. I also understand that you have difficulty with grammar. At this website: http://owl.english.purdue.edu, there are numerous power point ...

receiving new student from Thailand -- Ria Shanon-Smith

I teach 3rd grade in Oregon and I am getting a male student from Thailand in January. He speaks no English but was just adopted by a wonderful family here in town. I'm wondering what exactly to ...

Re: receiving new student from Thailand -- Yanni Zack

Shannon, The most important advice I can give you is that this student needs to learn English. The best way to teach him that is to use pictures with him to help him develop an English Vocabulary. ...

Re: receiving new student from Thailand -- Turnoi

From what you describe, your Thai student would need to learn English and has no previous knowledge of English. Not knowing (because you do not mention any details in this respect) whether the ...

Finding out about learners -- Julie Garvey

I am going down to Mexico to take CELTA training in January and I am completing a pre-cours task. One of the questions I have been asked is how I can find out about my learners (preferred learning ...

Re: Finding out about learners -- Turnoi

My answer in reply to your question can be brief: Give the new learner an individual and free initial sample lesson and observe the learner's reaction. It will tell you some basic things about ...

HELP on teaching ESL to a deaf mute student -- Monica

I need advice on how to teach ESL to a 2nd grade (8-9 yr. old) student who is deaf mute; and how to integrate him (actively) with the rest of his classmates. Thanks in advance.

Re: HELP on teaching ESL to a deaf mute student -- Dianna

Have you found any useful information on this particular case, Monica? I also know of a deaf mute 4th grade student in our school from Burma. She communicates only through pointing, making sounds, ...

Re: HELP on teaching ESL to a deaf mute student -- Yanni Zack

Here is a suggestion in teaching English to a deaf person: Show them pictures and have them write down what they see. This will help them develop vocabulary, and learn how to create proper grammar ...

Re: HELP on teaching ESL to a deaf mute student -- Turnoi

I really have no practical experience of teaching ESL to deaf non-native speakers. You are using "deaf mute". Does that mean that that child cannot speak either? I know a couple of deaf people, and I ...

Effective Technology use to improve language learning in all adult esl students -- sss123

Hi, I am an esl/efl teacher and I am presently working on my research paper. I am interested to get some ideas/feedback on the various forms/types of technology that can be used and are presently ...

Re: Using CALL in ESL Teacher Training in Third World Nations -- Turnoi

I am the Vice President of a college in the sector of tertiary education that offers a number of degree and postgraduate programs in the area of Theology, Comparative Religions and Cultures, ...

Re: Effective Technology use to improve language learning in all adult esl students -- Yanni Zack

Using Technology in ESL Teaching is very common. Many schools use Video Conferencing, Skype Teaching, and Interactive ESL Computer-Assisted Programs where students interact with the material ...

i want to teach esl in peru. i have an excellent command of the english language and speak un poco e -- Douglas Smirti

i need to know how to go about learning how to teach,the training of speaking enough spanish to teach it,and how to get certification,and relocation information. also, will they provide ...

Re: i want to teach esl in peru. i have an excellent command of the english language and speak un po -- Turnoi

I will try to answer your questions step by step. i need to know how to go about learning how to teach ***I suggest you look for a commercial provider offering a recognised CELTA/DELTA program. ,the ...

speaking problem -- baharak

hi I'm english university student in Iran.I have studied English for 8 years,but I have alittle problem in speaking. I don't really know what to do? just I want to speak alittle faster than I ...

Re: speaking problem -- Yanni Zack

Learning to speak English takes time and a lot of practice. I encourage you to not beat yourself up so much because of your supposed lack of progress.. Practice reading out loud from books or ...

Re: speaking problem//Reply -- Turnoi

Assalam aleikum, learning a foreign language and to become more or less proficient in it is like becoming a good football player in a team. To become a good football player of your team means that ...

lesson plans incorporating arts and drama into EFL teaching -- mimi

I am new qualıfıed non-native EFL teacher ,looking for job and I need a lot help and tips ı need lesson plans incorporating arts and drama into EFL teaching for a creatıve ...

Re: lesson plans incorporating arts and drama into EFL teaching -- Turnoi

I have written some comments below the relevant portions of your text. I am new qualıfıed non-native EFL teacher ,looking for job and I need a lot help and tips ***You, maybe you are in ...

Re: lesson plans incorporating arts and drama into EFL teaching -- mrngorickets

Hi Tks very much for post: I like it and hope that you continue posting. Let me show other source that may be good for community. Source: ...

Arab teaching strategies -- Emily Butler

Hi everyone! I am writing from Arkansas, U.S.A. I am currently a teaching student and have a huge group presentation at the end of the week. Our subject is on how to apply appropriate teaching tools ...

Re: Arab teaching strategies -- Turnoi

An interesting question, and a good one.... If you know that you are going to teach Arab students, the first thing you could do is to say "Assalam aleikum" when entering their class the first time. ...

Re: Arab teaching strategies -- Turnoi

Let me add a source that may be helpful to relate your lessons to Arabic whenever this may be appropriate according to context. This may be a good source for you to obtain some contrastive knowledge ...

Learning to teach -- Adam McCambridge

Hello everyone, I have been living in Japan for a little over 5 years now and have recently started a small conversational English class with my Japanese doctor and some of his interns. I had my ...

Re: Learning to teach -- Dr. Yanni Zack

I encourage you to begin teaching with your client in a simplified, basic manner. Start off with basic vocabulary, and use a lot of visuals to reinforce the concept. Also, go to the ESL teaching ...

Re: Learning to teach -- Turnoi

Let me assume that your (Japanese) students are at elementary level in their English language skills. If they are new to this and take private lessons with you (as I am assuming here), it is ...

Improving spoken english -- Eric

Hello, I teach English at an Academy in Spain and I am beginning to teach private lessons. The majority of the students I have are University students who need help in improvng their spoken english ...

Re: Improving spoken english -- Turnoi

Yanni (Dr. Yanni Zack) has already made a good reply concentrating on the procedure of such lessons and what they should contain. Let me add another point regarding contents of such lessons. For ...

Re: Improving spoken english -- Dr. Yanni Zack

When teaching individuals, it is important that you develop individualized lesson materials that will motivate and hold the interest for each student. I recommend that you consider using English ...

I teach old students -- Naweed

Dear sir! I am an instructor for English at one of the Capacity building programs in Afghanistan and the program is for 2 years and the students are also over 45 years i want to make my class very ...

Re: I teach old students -- Turnoi

It is good to see your motivation to make classes very interesting for them. The way older people learn is somewhat different from the way young people learn. If you are teaching in Afghanistan, my ...

General note on this forum -- Turnoi

Dear readers, Dr. Yanni Zack has replied to all the questions asked in this forum until now. He has now informed the editors of this site that he has dropped out of education to do some other work ...

ESL Inclusion -- Shauna

I am a new ESL teacher, working with ELL students in the 4th and 5th grade. We are doing inclusion at my school. I was hoping you could give me some effective strategies on teaching writing in the ...

Re: ESL Inclusion -- Dianna

I am doing the same as you (except I'm working with K-2 writing teacher). We discussed splitting the class to teach the same topic in whole group, but with smaller groups. We also discussed her ...

Re: ESL Inclusion -- Dr. Yanni Zack

I strongly feel that it is important for you to work together with the regular teacher to jointly develop effective writing assignments for your students. My suggestion would be for you to consider ...

Re: ESL Inclusion -- Turnoi

Even if you are new teacher, I think, it is not other people who can do the "strategic" thinking for you. It is you who must do that in collaboration with your colleague teacher. I can quite well ...

where to begin -- Melissa

Hello All, I need some serious help!! I'm working with a beginner and my thoughts of where to start are all over the place. Where should I start with him. I'm thinking that I should start ...

Re: where to begin -- Dr. Yanni Zack

I believe that in order to make a connection with this student, you first need to find out as much as you can about him, and then tailor the lessons and activities around the information you have ...

Re: where to begin -- Turnoi

Do you have some details regarding English language skill level, age and country of origin of your student(s)`Just one or several students? How can someone give some helpful advice if there is no ...

i need help re: ESL tutoring marketing video shoot -- weng

hi..go0d day dr yanni..im still a trainee ESL online instruct0r,i really need your help.the operations manager t0ld us to make a 30-sec0nd speech for our video sho0t so that students can cho0se and ...

Re: i need help re: ESL tutoring marketing video shoot -- Turnoi

Is that for marketing your school or a demo class to attract students? If the latter applies, just record a live session between a teacher and a student. The more "natural" it looks, the greater the ...

Online MA TESOL programs -- Manuel Zaragoza

I am currently researching online MA TESOL programs in the United States. I see that you recommend Alliant International University in San Diego, CA. You also mention the U of Phoenix. These two ...

Re: Online MA TESOL programs -- Dr. Yanni Zack

Manuel, Regarding your question about Online MA in TESOL Programs, I am able to let you know that from my own personal experience, the MA in TESOL Program from Alliant is top notch. It is very ...

New Teacher Moving to China...with NO experience!! -- Katrina

I just recently applied for a teaching job in China and got it! Besides the absolute and utter love for children and a few Nanny jobs....I have no "classroom teaching" experience. Now that my flight ...

Teaching ESL to High School Students -- wendy

Hi! I am teaching all boys at a high school in Asia. I played the Boggle Game with the students last week; however, many of the teachers are upset and say that my teaching method is WRONG and that ...

Re: Teaching ESL to High School Students -- Yanni

Wendy, I would first of all ignore the other teachers comments. Are they your supervisor? If not, then the only one you need to get the confidence from for your teaching is the supervisor, and not ...

ESL for Indian Adult -- Kimberly White

Hello, I am an English tutor who teaches grammar and comprehensive skills to children of all ages. I have been approached by an Indian Priest (from India) to improve his grammar and speaking skills. ...

Re: ESL for Indian Adult -- Yanni Zack

Kimberly, My suggestion to you is to develop the speaking skills for this person and use vocabulary and material that relates to his being a Priest. This will give him the motivation to and interest ...

Adavnced and proficiency students -- Anna

Hi I have a couple of years' ESL experience, but this year I am teaching advanced and proficiency students for the first time, and having some big problems! I've tried debates, roleplays, ...

Re: Adavnced and proficiency students -- Shelley Vernon

Hi Anna My tip would be to implicate the students more in their own learning by having them choose the debate topics and prepare for class before hand rather than doing homework afterwards. For ...

Re: Advanced and proficiency students -- Yanni Zack

Anna, Shelly gave you some great strategies and tips in working with your advanced students. Also, let them create their own learning activities so that they will now be "buying in" to the ...

Re: Advanced and proficiency students -- Shelley Vernon

Hi Anna My suggestion is to implicate the students more in their learning process by getting them to choose what they talk about. Give them homework to prepare for the next class for example: ...

Helping ESL students take standardized tests -- Donna

Hi, I have an ESL student who is trying to get into the nursing program. She is having difficulty scoring high enough on a standardized test in reading and writing. She did great on the math but her ...

Re: Helping ESL students take standardized tests -- Yanni Zack

Donna, Since she needs help with English on a standardized test for becoming a Nurse, I suggest you work on developing vocabulary with her as well as comprehension question (for essay) that relate to ...

pronunciation help -- jana

hi. i am teaching english in southern mexico. i have one student who consistantly has problems pronouncing hi d when it is at the end of a sentanc. i am hoping for some ideas as i am very new to ...

Re: pronunciation help -- Yanni Zack

I need more specific information regarding what you have tried to help this student in working on his pronunciation problem so I can give you ideas and strategies to use.

please help me -- AMANTINA

HI I`M AMANTINA FROM KOSOVO I HAVE STARTED TO TEACH THE MIDDLE AGE STUDENTS HERE BUT I HAVE TOO MANY DIFFICULTIES ON TECHING THEM BECAUSE THEY NEED TO COMMUNICATE BUT I DO NOT KNOW MANY METHODS ...

Re: please help me -- Yanni Zack

Amantina, I would first recommend that you look through some of the previous posts in this section as there are others who have asked similar questions. I know that you will find lots of ideas, ...

help needed -- mark

I am going to try my hand at teaching English in China, I have no formal teaching experience, I posses an economics degree and been involved with different businesses for over 40 years. I dont know ...

Re: help needed -- Yanni Zack

Mark, Before I can offer any advice, it is important to know and have more information. What grade level are you teaching? Children? Young Adults? Adults? What level? Beginners, Intermediate or ...

Re: help needed -- mark

Thank you for responding yanni , I was told that I will be teaching beginners (young adults), oral English only. I have no classroom experience, so if you are game , your help would be greatly ...

Re: help needed -- Yanni Zack

Mark, Since you will be teaching beginning young adult learners oral English, here are my suggestions: 1. Find out what their interests are. 2. Create beginning lessons using visuals/pictures for the ...

teaching kindergarten -- judy archer

I am teaching classes of about 30 kindergarten students in China. I have been playing games with the students and they seem to enjoy the games and to be learning at a satisfactory rate. However, ...

Re: teaching kindergarten -- Shelley Vernon

Hello there, I recommend stories and songs in particular and of course games that CAN be played with larger groups. There are plenty of games that can be played by thirty children without anyone ...

Re: teaching kindergarten -- Yanni Zack

If you find you have to teach with a whole group, and especially with kindergarten students, I would suggest that you use music such as Greg and Steve songs to teach such things as parts of the body, ...

What else can i do? -- Kathereen

Hi... well i need help. I am teaching in china. and i've done songs games (not too many). But now it seems that i've got nothing else to give. I try thinking bout more games but my mind is ...

Re: What else can i do? -- Yanni Zack

Please provide more information. In order to give more accurate assistance, please tell us what age and grade level you teach

teaching english -- M

I am a new teacher teaching english in korea and i have no clue of what i have gotten myself into i teach at a place where the children are already advanced at english, lower than kids in the USA but ...

Re: teaching english -- roger heide

I know the feeling. I have the exact same problems with my private school in Nacheon..middle of nowhere Korea. Owners are of no help and provide no teaching supplies...so unorganized. Looking to ...

teaching english -- Joe

M. Okay, I'm putting myself in your shoes. Here is what I would do first. I would give them all a writing assignment which simply provides them with some seat work during the "Dead time" in the ...

Re: teaching english -- Jerome

A good place to start would be right there at your own desk and on your own computer. The web has many interesting, helpful sites where you can begin your research. I think it interesting to note, ...

Re: teaching english -- Yanni Zack

Here is my advice- Stop, take a deep breath, and then look at your options. I don't know about the economy in Korea. However, I do know if you quit and jump from job to job, you will be looked at ...

Ive just started privately tutoring a middle aged Chinese man. -- Naomi

Ive just started privately tutoring a middle aged Chinese man. His English is already very good, but he wants to improve because he is running a business and wants to be able to better interact with ...

Re: Ive just started privately tutoring a middle aged Chinese man. -- Joe

Yes, I certainly do know of some activities. Depending upon the level that he is at. Go to the various web sites and down load anything on becoming a citizen in that country. Believe me, he is ...

Re: Ive just started privately tutoring a middle aged Chinese man. -- Yanni Zack

Naomi, First off, teachers need to learn to be creative and to "think outside the box." Now, what I would recommend is to create lessons that focus on your client's business needs and give him ...

Re: teaching English for nursing -- Eleanor Brockman

Carmen, she will also need body language, something you certainly can help her with. You could role play procedures, as simple as taking blood pressure or checking up on a patient at the bedside, to ...

number recognition -- Anne

Help, please! I have a beginning ESL student who cannot recognize or accurately state the numbers 3-5 (he now knows 1 and 2). Although he can recite them, he cannot remember what they look like. How ...

Re: number recognition -- Yanni Zack

Here is a way to teach numbers using a kinesthetic approach: Have the student trace each number in a box of sand, and then say the number out loud. This uses all three learning modalities, auditory, ...

Developing vocabulary through powerpoint -- Halevy

Hi, I'm an English teacher in a primary school in Brunei Darussalam. I'm currently having difficulties on what strategies to teach young english learners to develop their vocabulary on the ...

Re: Developing vocabulary through powerpoint -- Yanni Zack

Halevy, In response to your question, I would recommend that instead of using a power point presentation to teach vocabulary that you use pictures/visuals for the vocabulary words the students are ...

Good advice is needed!!!! -- Ivan

Hi....i 'am new in teaching English here in KOrea and one of concerns right now is ....MODULESI badly needs help.. Thanx...

Re: Good advice is needed!!!! -- Yanni Zack

Please provide more information about what specifically you need. You mentioned modules? What type? Kind?

Re: Good advice is needed!!!! -- Ivan

My students were 12 and 14...their parents wants them to learn conversational ENglish...based on my assesment, they are not yet excellent on reading ...and vocabulary exercise is needed... Pls...

economics and chemistry -- Mr.UTRSRIDHARPRASAD

SIR, What is ESL and how do we learn it also please guide me on other related terms like TEFL, TESOL and so on. Thank you

Re: economics and chemistry -- Yanni Zack

ESL stands for English as a Second Language. It involves having the teacher use different teaching strategies, i.e. role play, visuals, pictures, cooperative group learning , to help those who ...

Games and activities for 11-12 year olds who can`t read or write English -- Nick

I am teaching final year elementary school kids who are quite shy and have little energy and was wondering if people could suggest any activities which might get me through the lesson.

Re: Games and activities for 11-12 year olds who can`t read or write English -- Yanni Zack

Nick, Here is my advice: First, talk to these students and find out what their interests are. Then, create games, i.e.bingo, concentration, Jeopardy around their interests as a way to motivate them ...

First ESL class -- Sunita Ghosh

Hi, i have to take three children , one is 13 , second one is 10 and the third one is 7 years. The elder two can speak in monosyllables but comprehension and speech fluency is poor. They are ...

Re: First ESL class -- Yanni Zack

The best way to get these students motivated to learn English is to first find out what their interests are, and then develop activities/lessons based on their interests. This is called a "hook" in ...

Games for classroom -- Jen

I'm a mother helping out with a classroom party in my daughter's first grade class. They're having a South African themed party and I'm looking for a game to play in the classroom ...

Re: Games for classroom -- Yanni Zack

Since the class has a South-African Theme party, you could do the following games: 1. Jeopardy- students have to provide answer in form of a question for specific fact about South African Culture, ...

Re: teaching English for nursing -- Carolle

I would like to buy Robin A. Bradley book English for Nursing and Health care. I Look on the web site I could not find it. Help me find a easy way to buy it

Teaching techniques -- ella

Good afternoon=) Please help me...I need teaching techniques in teaching an academy class. Academy class contains 4 -6 students. thanks so much=)

Re: Teaching techniques -- Alicia Grime

Hello.My name is Alicia Grime. I am a Certified Teacher from Texas but live in Canada. I have been teaching ESl to children as young as 4---adult.When I saw your question I will offer this advice to ...

Re: Teaching techniques -- Yanni Zack

The best strategies to use in teaching ESL to any group of students is to include hands-on learning, role play situations where the students become active participants in the learning, and lots of ...

teaching strategies -- arianne

Hi, I'm Arianne! I really need your help. I really need some teaching strategies for online ESL class for individual and group class. Pls....thanks!

Re: teaching strategies -- Yanni Zack

When teaching an Online Class, it is important to first know if this is a class where students would all be seen on web cams, or where students are merely chatting in a chat room. If students and the ...

First ESL Adult Class -- Tom

Hi! I am trying to formulate my first adult beginner ESL class. I was told that the class retention rate is low. It starts out with 35 students, and throughout the semester there is only 8-12 ...

Re: First ESL Adult Class -- Yanni Zack

Tom, Here are some strategies to use when teaching students in beginning ESL Classes: Remember that you need to start off with the basics. I usually start of by teaching personal pronouns and ...

how to get to? -- heide

Good morning sir. I have great passion and liking on how to enter in a job as an ESL Teacher. What characteristics should I possess inorder that i may be accepted in the job. I have been going ...

Re: how to get to? -- Yanni Zack

First off, just be yourself. Be positive, and emphasize the strong qualities you have as an ESL Teacher. Remember, you are having to sell yourself to future employers, and give them a reason why they ...

English games -- Martina Kozakova

Dear Sir or Madam I have started teaching English and I would like to ask you for some helpful games for children between 10 to 12 with elementary English. Thank you very much. Yours sincerelly ...

Re: English games -- Yanni Zack

Martina, Here are some fun games to use when teaching English: Charades Concentration using pictures Jeopardy- using various English word categories, i.e. action words (verbs) nouns, prepositions, ...

Best progression for individual student without confusing her with IPA symbols and grammatical terms -- Rob

Recently, someone requested for me to teach English to an adult who IS literate in her own language (Spanish), but NOT very well-versed in grammatical terminology (also, she is not the best speller ...

Re: Best progression for individual student without confusing her with IPA symbols and grammatical t -- Yanni Zack

I encourage you to consider teaching her vocabulary that is associated with her business needs and to use pictures, visuals with her that relate to the specific terms, concepts associated with her ...

Re: Best progression for individual student without confusing her with IPA symbols and grammatical t -- Rob

Thanks. That is essentially how I started, but now I need to find ways to help her USE that vocabulary, and that is how I have come to the point of asking the question as I did. Right now, the ...

Re: Best progression for individual student without confusing her with IPA symbols and grammatical t -- Yanni Zack

Rob, The best way I can suggest to use the vocabulary would be to develop situations using real life situations/experiences associated with her business. Concept teaching is very important as well. ...

I can't come up with a solution -- A.Y

I'm teaching kids at an orphan home in Tajikistan. I have 34 children from 3rd to 11th grade and their levels of English ability are all different, even the ones in same grade. I separated them ...

Re: I can -- Yanni Zack

First, you need to stop, and "think outside the box". Find out what the interests are for these students. Then, tailor your lesson and vocabulary to those interests. Remember to use lots of visuals, ...

Re: Running an English Corner -- Martin Wolff

CHINA EFL: English Corner Martin Wolff, Guangzhou, China About the Author Martin Wolff, J.D. – holisticenglish@yahoo.com Martin Wolff has taught Holistic English, international business law and ...

I need advice on how to run an English Corner for beginners -- Chimmy

Hello, my name is Chimmy. I recently secured english teaching job in a primary school in wenzhou and i'm also new in the system. Presently, i'm faced with the task of running an english ...

Re: I need advice on how to run an English Corner for beginners -- Turnoi

English Corners for kids not speaking or understanding any English is an absolute idiocy to ask for by those demanding you to do it. Seems those running the school know nothing about language ...

Re: Running an English Corner -- Martin Wolff

PART II If I had the authority, power and money, my first transformation project at the training center would be as follows; Purchase 5 flat screen TVs and permanently tune each one to a different ...

Hi im an ESL Teacher Teaching collage students in mexico that are studing to be chefs -- MELISSA

Hi I need help with ideas with these students there studying to be chefs but have an English class that lasts 2 hrs 5 days a week. Does anybody have ideas that might make them more interested in ...

Re: Hi im an ESL Teacher Teaching collage students in mexico that are studing to be chefs -- Yanni Zack

Melissa, I encourage you to make learning fun. Since these are students who are studying to be chefs, teach them vocabulary that includes cooking and recipe terms. Use lots of visuals, and have ...

How to teach my students to speak politely -- Joe

Hey there! I am teaching English as a foreign language in Taiwan. My students are college non-English majors, yet most of them speak fairly frequently. I notice that two or three of them often speak ...

Re: How to teach my students to speak politely -- Yanni Zack

Joe, Good Question. I would recommend that first, you set some basic ground rules for your class regarding the need to speak politely in class to both you and the other students. If the students ...

Re: How to teach my students to speak politely -- Marat I. Kayumov

Dear Joe, It is essential you set limitations concerning the language your students use by telling them off in the most polite manner you are only capable of any time you hear something ...

Be an Advocate for your students -- Dr. Yanni Zack

As an educator with over 25 years experience working with all different types of learners, and now being an advocate for people with physical and learning disabilities, I have found that we as ...