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…
7 German News Sites All German Students Should Read
News Websites for German Learners Learning a language is tough. There’s no point in sugar coating it. However, there are lots of tips and tricks that can make learning German easier. Reading the news of German news sites is definitely one of them. Articles are rich in the most current vocabulary. They also give students a valuable insight into the culture of the countries where the language they speak is spoken. Research shows that reading develops a broader vocabulary, increased general knowledge and a better understanding of other cultures. Thus, reading articles on German news websites will help German learners to develop their range of vocabulary and improve their knowledge…
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…
A Novel Way To Present The Coronavirus To Children
Reading – An Important Past-Time When I was a child, I used to love reading. Unfortunately, nowadays, I can’t bring myself to read more than one page of anything that isn’t a teaching related language book. I generally fall asleep after whilst reading the first page. Most probably, because I can’t focus after a long day. Despite this, I think reading is a wonderful past-time. It promotes language, improves vocabulary and develops imagination. Reading is definitely a skill that that should be instilled in children from a young age. Do you read to your children, family members’ children, or friends’ children? I know times are very strange at the moment…
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…
Werden, Wurden or Würden – The Difference
Werden, Wurden or Würden?The Difference Explained As a teacher, I’ve never really been phased by the difference between these three verb forms: werden, wurden and würden. However, sometimes my students are confused and don’t always feel confident in the slight subtleties in pronunciation, conjugation and use. After a bit of thought and research, I’ve created a schema with the aim of helping, as well as a table with each conjugated verb form alongside all subject pronouns. Below, you will also find a .WAV file with how they should sound too, read by a native speaker. How To Pronounce: Werden, Wurden and Würden? Werden, Wurden or Würden Schema – What’s The…
How Learn A Language Successfully – New Year’s Resolution
5 Tips To Learn A Language With Success This Year Some people might say that learning a language is hard. Those people would be right because learning a new language can be challenging and certainly time-consuming ! If you want to know how to learn a language, then read on. As you can see from the chart, there are plenty of reasons to learn a new language. Moreover, if you want to learn a new language, then there’s no time like the present to get started! Especially with it being a New Year and all. Are you daunted, don’t know where to start or feel that you might just fail?…
25 Best 5-Minute Starters To Settle Language Students
Fun 5-Minute Starters for Language Classrooms Which Get Students into Learning Mode I posted on my Facebook page recently that I have been implementing 5-minute starters with all my language groups recently. Not only with my ESOL classes, but with my private French, German and English classes too. The aim is to get students into ‘learning mode’ as soon as they enter the classroom or learning environment. I have rounded up my favourite 5-minute starters below, which have been divided into starter activity type. So, if you are looking for a snappy vocabulary starter activities, error-correction tasks, something to focus students on sentences or to develop comprehension abilities, check out…
73 Questions About The Ideal Teacher
Have you ever seen Vogue’s 73 Questions? If not, go and check it out, after you’ve read this post about TheIdealTeacher, obviously! I enjoy watching Vogue’s 73 questions pitched to celebrities, which allows the general public to take a peek into the homes and lives of many talented people in the public eye. Although I strongly believe that celebs are just normal people, it’s still interesting to hear them answer personal questions that gives an further insight into them as human beings. In this same vein and since I haven’t really shared too much about myself over the last one and a half years since creating this website, I’ve decided…
Vocab, Speaking and Writing Prompts – ‘Take Your Pick’
Useful Vocabulary, Speaking and Writing Prompts for Language Classrooms As a language teacher, I am always on the look out for interesting activities. Especially speaking and writing prompts. Mainly, because I use them to help my students with vocabulary recall, new vocabulary and develop grammar structures in the language classroom. Where Did The ‘Take Your Pick’ Vocabulary Prompts Come From? Last week, I found this ‘I Spy’ worksheet whilst browsing the web. I felt it was a brilliant starting point for revising vocabulary and learning new words and perfect inspiration for speaking and writing. What Is This Activity Useful For? Whilst it’s not quite the traditional guessing game of ‘I…
