EFL Teaching Recipes

Show a picture and have learners take turns saying one descriptive thing about it. Beginners can make simple observations like “three cats” while advanced students can make up a story to go with the picture. They aren’t allowed to repeat … Read More ....

It isn’t easy to learn so many names so fast! Here are some tips for remembering student names ( a must because when you use a student’s name, studies show they learn better/quicker! just by hearing their name!)

1.  For … Read More ....

Pictures speak a 1,000 words and are the engine of language teaching because they provide much needed contextualization for the lesson.

Every teacher staying in EFL / ESL should have a picture library, a folder of photos (laminated if you … Read More ....

I’m a big fan of SCC – student created content. Instead of just handing out a photocopy or a worksheet – get the students to make the activity or worksheet!

They learn while making the content and since they have … Read More ....

Put a box on your desk and tell the students if they have any thoughts, to write them down on a piece of paper WITHOUT A NAME and put it in the box. Once a week, look in the box … Read More ....

Every week put up a large piece of chart paper on the classroom wall. Get a marker on string and tie it nearby.

Students can go there and write new vocabulary they have learned or just put up graffiti and … Read More ....

BAAM is a game I made after a lot of thought. Many teachers told me that they were frustrated when playing games – only the high level students answered and were involved!

So I came up with BAAM and without … Read More ....

Students love to talk about celebrities.

1.  Put the names of some celebrities on the board. Describe one and the students will guess who it is. Erase that name and continue until all are erased.

2. Give students a blank … Read More ....

This is a variation of the famous “Telephone” game. 

Write a word on a slip of paper and show it to a student. This student must whisper it to the second student. Then the second student must draw a picture … Read More ....

Put the students in small groups, and ask each group to plan a vacation for you. They must plan where you will go, what you will do, who you will go with, and what you will buy. Give them some … Read More ....