Online training opportunities

A few years ago, maybe it was difficult for some teachers to receive training and to find out about news and developments.

Nowadays, this is definitely not the case.  With the improvements in the availability and quality of internet connections, together with the range and variety of online materials and webinars on offer, there is no excuse for us to be underinformed or undertrained.  (Well, I suppose there is one problem - the number of hours in a day!!)

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/remade/product/it-s-time-to-personalised-blackboard-clock

I've mentioned Cambridge English TV before.  Every time I look at the youtube channel, I find more stuff.
I like the English Language Learning Tips.

(A new one - Tenses Part 2 was added just 4 hours ago)

And I regularly sign up for webinars (if I'm free at the time they're taking place) or watch recordings of them if I can't take part in the live session.

There are 24 webinars right now in the Cambridge English TV youtube playlist.

There will soon be more!  Next Monday and Wednesday, you can sign up to find out about the changes  to the Cambridge English: First and Cambridge English: First for Schools that will be coming in from January 2015.  

To register for the webinar on Monday, click on this link.

For Wednesday, click here.

Creative posters to use in creative classes! - Part 1

This morning, I was checking out some recommended pins in an email I'd received from pinterest

and came across a couple of things that gave me ideas for new collections to start and also inspiration for this post!

What about putting on some stimulating music (I'll leave you to choose suitable music for yourself and your students!)

Tell students to think about things they love doing........ something they haven't done for a while - because they haven't had time, someone they haven't seen for some time and they enjoy being with and doing things with.  They could share their thoughts with a partner or in a small group.

Then, show students these 'thoughts': 

You could focus on the structure and how it is repeated throughout:

I still find each day too short for 

                           all the  +  plural noun  +  I want to  +  infinitive

The plural noun needs to collocate with the verb - you take walks, read books, see friends.

Then, you could give them the skeleton for their thoughts and they write them down, using the same structure.

Here are my 'thoughts':

I'd better get on otherwise I won't have time to phone, chat, try out or develop!

Happy Monday!!  

Working on feelings and attitudes

One comment that is often expressed at Cambridge English seminars is that students find it hard to pick up on feelings and attitudes.

When I saw these pictures and the video they come from, I thought they would make great material for class and for working on feelings and attitudes.

First, show students the pictures (preferably one by one):

What's the matter with this man?  How is he feeling?

Who is the man in the light blue T-shirt?  What's the problem?What's the man in the jacket saying to him?

And this woman?  How does she feel?  What's she saying?  

Why has the man's expression changed?

Why is this man looking so happy?  What sign is he making?  Why?

Then, show them this video:

Students could 'become' one of the people who was parked.  They have just arrived home.  They are telling their family/friends about what happened to them today.....

All photos and video taken from: http://designtaxi.com/news/363706/A-Parking-Ticket-Prank-That-Puts-Smiles-On-People-s-Faces/