Helpful Last Language Lesson Ideas for Tired Teachers At Christmas
Fun and Low-Prep French, ESL, German and Spanish Language Lesson Ideas for Tired Teachers in the Lead Up To Christmas At this festive time of year, language teachers count down the days until the end of such as long term. To put it plainly, we are tired! In the same vein, ESL, French, German and Spanish students are also on the countdown to the Christmas holidays. However, my students look forward to an exciting last language lesson before the Christmas break. They enjoy cultural activities, fun Christmas themed activities in the target language, as well as craft based ideas. Below are last language activities that I have used in the…
Competitive Word Game To Practise Topic Vocabulary in Language Classrooms
Fast-Paced ‘Chain Game’ Vocabulary Practice Activity for All Language Lessons Have you ever played that word game on a long car journey where you pick a topic and everyone takes a turn to say a word that starts with the last letter of the previous word? It keeps going until there’s a winner who always takes their turn? The topic-based vocabulary game can get quite competitive and it works something like this: Topic: COUNTRIESPerson A: LatviaPerson B: AustriaPerson C: Armeniaetc repeat OR Topic: FOOD ITEMSPerson A: HamburgerPerson B: Red PepperPerson C: Rollmopsetc repeat etc? Whether you have played it or not, it’s a great vocabulary practice idea for language lessons!…
How To Learn Vocabulary & Boost Students’ Confidence in Language Lessons
Help Students To Learn Vocabulary in Language Lessons Without Them Knowing! When I get a new French or German GCSE tutee or a group of GCSE language students, we do a quick diagnostic. I ask the students to select two areas that they feel they need help with and why. This includes: vocabulary in language lessons, speaking, reading, writing, listening, grammar and translation. Although it varies, generally, the two main areas for concern for my language students are: VocabularyFeeling overwhelmed at the level of vocabulary they are required to know. Especially for communication, understanding and exams, as well as lack of exposure and practice. ConfidenceConfidence issues when speaking, listening and…
6 Language Settler Activities for The New Normal
Settler and Settling Activities for Language Lessons COVID-19 Style I saw this settler idea on @MorganMFL’s Instagram, as well as on slides and Twitter posts from @Mariade53969789 and @campello_mfl. Thank you all for the settling activities inspiration, all of which is going to help me cope better with running around like a headless chicken this academic year! A bit of background first and the latest language settler activities at the bottom of the post. What Are Settlers and Settling Activities? According to TeachingEnglish: Settlers are activities which are designed to calm students down and settle them into a routine. Basic classroom management and routines are essential to establish as a pre-requisite for…
20+ Valuable Teacher and COVID-19 Friendly Activities For Language Lessons
Teacher, Student and COVID-19 Friendly Low-Prep Activities and Ideas for Language Classrooms This post includes: Current government curriculum expectations General school and government safety guidelines 20+ COVID-19 friendly activities for language classrooms in the era of ‘the new normal’ DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical professional and can’t guarantee these ideas are 100% COVID-19 friendly, nor that they will stop the spread of COVID-19. However, I have considered the information from schools, the government and used some of my common sense. I hope you find them useful for your educational settings. If there are any ideas you can’t use in your language lessons, feel free to disregard them. If you’re…
Quiz Quiz Trade – Fun Vocabulary Building Activity for Language Lessons
Background into Vocabulary Building British Linguist, David Crystal states: Vocabulary is a matter of word-building, as well as word use. I totally agree with him. You have to learn vocabulary, but physically use it too. That’s why Quiz Quiz Trade is an effective vocabulary building activity for language lessons. Not only does it combine vocabulary building, it promotes understanding, as well as meaningful interaction between people. That’s what language learning is about right, communication and interaction between people? Many language teaching professionals advise not to teach vocabulary in isolation. Whilst, I agree with this theory to some extent, according to the National Reading Panel (2000), one principle of effective vocabulary…
Fun KS3 French & German Summer School Sessions in July & August
This July and August, get your children feeling language confident by enrolling them in our fun & interactive French or German Summer School sessions for KS3 students. ☑ Our language classes are tailored to students traditionally in year 7, year 8 and year 9.☑ Your children are taught in small groups and meet at least 3 times a week to maximise learning.☑ Children will be taught by our friendly, highly qualified and experienced language tutor.☑ The sessions will cover the topics and themes in the National Secondary Level French and/or German Curriculum. Which language will your children learn this summer? French or German?! Read on to find out more details…
Authentic School & Holiday French Interview with Belgian Pupils for Listening Practice
Authentic French Interview Clip for French Listening Practice on Schools and Holidays The more authentic French listening practice clips I can find, the happier I feel! In fact, when an ex-colleague of mine from Belgium gave me this video clip with him interviewing two students, it made me start thinking of all the ways I could use it! If you need some authentic French listening practice for GCSE French students, or students learning French who are studying the topic of holidays or school, this will hopefully be very useful to you! The 5 minute 35 seconds French video clip is in the format of a French interview between the teacher…
Complete GCSE French and Intermediate Level Revision Practice by Topic & Skill
200+ Intermediate and GCSE French Level Revision Activities by Topic please check back here tomorrow, I am currently working on adding my materials to this page. Revision can be quite boring and tedious, you can certainly use an interactive website with gap fills at sentence level, but why not do your French revision by topic with vocabulary rich activities, testing your intermediate French language skills in a more interesting way? If you wish to practice your intermediate French language skills and revise topics covered at French GCSE level or French CEFR A2/B1 level, then try out the activities below. There are over 20 common topics found in GCSE French courses,…
7 Must-Use, Last-Minute Revision Tips for Language Exams
Relax, I’ve got ages until my exams…! Sound familiar? Why Do I Need Last-Minute Revision Tips for Language Exams? See meme! My Last Minute Revision Story As a student taking my French and German GCSE and French and German A-Level exams between 2003-2005, I used to put revision off until the very last minute. More often than not, until the week before my exams. This is when I, rightly so, started panicking. Obviously, as a teacher, I don’t advocate leaving revision until the last minute, as it really should be an ongoing process. However, I know many students who end up in the same situation as I did. Therefore, I’d…
