Easy Christmas Shape Poem for Your Language Lessons
Christmas Shape Poetry for French, German and Spanish Lessons Poetry is part of a country’s culture, but poems are not often embedded well or easily into language lessons. I’ll be honest, I don’t enjoy teaching poetry to my language students. I find that it’s tricky for them to understand. I believe they feel disconnected from the poetry they have encountered so far and therefore find reading poems inherently difficult. Particularly since, by their very nature poetry makes meaning by hiding meaning. Okay, so, reading and analysing the language and meanings in poems isn’t for me. However, I don’t see why I can’t use a form of poetry in my French…
Amazing GCSE, A-Level German & French Tuition Results – New 2022
100% of iGCSE, GCSE German, French and A-Level German Achieve Target Grades or Higher! In the first lesson that I have with my GCSE, iGCSE and A-Level French and German students, I always ask what grade they hope to achieve through their tuition. I keep a note of this and help them work towards this goal. A-Level French and German grades were announced 18th August in 2022 and GCSE French and German results were announced the week after on 25th August 2022. I am so pleased to advise that in 2022, 100% of my GCSE German, GCSE French and A-Level German and French tutees achieved their target grades. Moreover, a…
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…
Running A Wonderful COVID-Friendly European Day Of Languages 2020
Why Celebrate The European Day of Languages 2020? The European Day of Languages 2020 on 26th September is an excellent opportunity to promote languages within schools. Not only with Brexit around the corner but also with more pressure on languages in schools and colleges after such a long break during the pandemic. Celebrating the European Day of Languages 2020 is an excellent opportunity for MFL Teachers to show that languages do exist and they are worth celebrating. Previous European Day of Languages Events A few years ago, I was in charge of organising the itinerary and events for this fabulous celebration of languages. I spent ages preparing. because my events…
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…
Qualified German and French Teacher – Simplifying Language Learning
