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…
Excellent French Series & Films For Learners To Binge Watch
I enjoy ‘binge watching’ language series. That includes: French series, TV shows and films and I am always on the look out for new ones to watch. My favourite genres of French film and French series / TV shows include: thriller, horror, certain comedies, as well as romance. Recommendations are always welcome! Over the years, I have watched quite a number of French shows on TV, YouTube, Netflix and Prime, as well as on DVD. I recently recommended a couple of French series that I had just watched on my social channels and was asked if I had other recommendations. I’ve had a little think and started to create a…
8 Effective & Simple Retrieval Practice Ideas For Your Language Lessons
The Powerful Tool of Retrieval Practice in Language Lessons I am pretty sure that I always use retrieval practice to some extent in my language lessons. Many of you do too, but most probably without knowing what might be called? What is Retrieval Practice? Retrieval practice is a very powerful learning strategy. Rather than continuing to cram students’ brains full of information, retrieval practice is actually the practice of getting knowledge out of a student’s brain. The process or retrieval has been proven to improve language retention. As language teachers, we promote retrieval practice in our lessons to assess learning. Consider: vocab testing, questioning, mini-quizzes, low-stakes testing, ‘brain dumps’, plenaries…
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…
50 Great Websites and Teaching Apps for Language Lessons
Easy To Use Teaching Websites and Apps for Language Teachers to Use In Their Lessons Since mid-March, we’ve had to adapt our teaching methods. Teachers have had to embrace technology to a degree, or feel like they are drowning in the myriad of emails from students they have received. At least that’s how I felt! I know for some the change has been quite welcome. For others, not so much. If you’re still in the phase of sticking to Zoom or Teams, or don’t feel confident with technology, branch out a little. My list of 50 Great Websites and Teaching Apps for Language Teachers includes the websites I have been…
Low-Prep Speaking and Vocabulary Practice Activity for Language Lessons – Taboo
Easy To Play Vocabulary and Speaking Practice Game for the Language Classroom As usual, I am always on the hunt for useful speaking and vocabulary activities for vocabulary and speaking practice! Especially low-prep speaking tasks to help my language learners to develop confidence in speaking. Luckily, I remembered this one recently and have used it with some of my KS3 German students for general speaking practice, as well as for food & drink practice. Taboo is a very low-prep, easy to play vocabulary practice speaking game. The activity is an oldie, but definitely a goodie! This speaking game with a vocabulary focus definitely works better face to face, especially with…
Fun Vocabulary Game for All Language Lessons with No Prep – 10 Words
Fast-Paced, Fun and Competitive Vocabulary Activity for All Language Classrooms If you are like me and get flustered easily when things aren’t working well at the beginning of your language lesson or you have a few minutes to spare during an English, French, German or Spanish lesson, try this fast-paced, competitive fun vocabulary game for language lessons out with your groups. This topic based vocabulary game for language lessons: is a relay-race has a competitive element to get all students in your class involved and stay on task is absolutely no-prep can be used for ANY topic is suitable for most levels (probably any level higher than CEFR A1.2) takes around…
