The concept of Parsnips in ELT has always intrigued me. These are the things that you're not supposed to talk about with your classes, the taboo topics that might get you into trouble or which your students might protest at.... Continue Reading →
If you were about to start thinking about a dissertation or thesis in ELT, what would you write it about? There’s a number of ways of looking at this: Practicality Passion Previous Practicality – what’s easiest and most practical to... Continue Reading →
In my recent talk at IATEFL 2015, I argued that the standard approach to reading in ELT is ineffective and that tasks which reflect a broader range of genres and more realistic reasons for reading are preferable, and I demonstrated... Continue Reading →
It is nearing the end of October and that traditionally means pumpkins, black cats, sweets or candy, and a bunch of superstitious nonsense that if it wasn't for the whole "sweets and candy" component, would probably have disappeared a long... Continue Reading →
Being ill is never nice. Being ill in a foreign country where you don't speak the language and maybe don't know how to ask for help is really, really tough. For all those language teachers around the world who have... Continue Reading →
Last week I did a ten minute spot at the 6th International House Teachers' Online Conference (#IHTOC6) on themes I'd picked up on from the IATEFL conference. My talk, which predictably over-ran and was therefore a bit rushed towards the... Continue Reading →
This is a ten minute presentation I gave at the recent International House Teachers' Online Conference (IHTOC60) on the Tai Chi of Reading. The basic premise is that there are certain movements or forms that exist within the Tai Chi... Continue Reading →
It's that time of year again, where classes are winding down and courses are effectively finished in all but name and teachers round the world are looking for interesting things to do with their students for the last few lessons... Continue Reading →
About a month ago I put up "A brief survey of working conditions in ELT". The survey is still live, so if you haven't contributed and would like to, then feel free! The initial results of the survey have been... Continue Reading →
