Category Archives: Classroom dynamics

Why don’t my students listen to me? (TEFL Why oh why Part Three)

Posted on 06/04/2008 by alexcase

…Why does no one ever listen to me?? Rather than a complaint about how your friends back home ask about your experiences abroad for 10 seconds and then get back to gossiping about Britney, I’m talking here about students who meet … Continue reading →

Posted in CELTA, Classroom dynamics, Classroom management, Grammar, Problem students, TEFL | Tagged | Comments Off on Why don’t my students listen to me? (TEFL Why oh why Part Three)

Unautomating teaching with Summerhill English Schools

Posted on 02/12/2007 by alexcase

Following my own advice for automated teachers, I’ve been trying to use my search for something to write about Japan and or teaching English on my blog as a way of expanding my horizons rather than shrinking them. Recent semi-successful … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative teaching techniques, Classroom dynamics, Classroom management, Discipline in the classroom, Humanistic language teaching, Learner training, links, Mixed ability classes, Pairwork and groupwork, Problem students, Teaching methods and methodologies, Teaching mixed level classes, Teaching teenagers, Teaching young learners, TEFL, TESOL | 1 Comment

Pairwork: "It started with a kiss…"*

Posted on 06/08/2007 by alexcase

In a moment of inspiration fueled by low tolerance to the stimulating effects of real British “builders’ tea”, have come up with: The pairwork magic formula I have yet to teach a class that wouldn’t do and enjoy pairwork eventually. … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom dynamics, Classroom management, First conditional, Grammar games, Learner motivation, Lesson planning, links, Mixed ability classes, Pairwork and groupwork, Problem students, Speaking, Staging, Teaching low levels, Teaching teenagers, TEFL, TEFL blogs | Comments Off on Pairwork: "It started with a kiss…"*

Daily quote about teaching

Posted on 05/08/2007 by alexcase

“It has been found…that CMC (computer-mediated communication) allows a more balanced participation than in traditional classroom settings [and] that its language displays greater complexity and lexical density than… face-to-face conversation” Scott Thornbury Could “Conversation Classes” become “Chat Classes” in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative teaching techniques, Classroom dynamics, Linguistics, applied linguistics and SLA, Technology, TEFL, TESOL | Tagged | Comments Off on Daily quote about teaching

Ask Auntie Alex- All your troubles solved with TEFL Part Four

Posted on 04/08/2007 by alexcase

Dear Auntie Alex As a TEFL teacher, I like to feel I am doing my bit for international understanding every day. However, as my interest in issues of global poverty etc. grows, teaching a language starts to seem a bit … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom dynamics, Classroom management, Mixed ability classes, Teaching low levels, TEFL, TESOL | Comments Off on Ask Auntie Alex- All your troubles solved with TEFL Part Four

Trains on time but weather delayed

Posted on 24/06/2007 by alexcase

The rainy season (tsuyu) is completely screwed this year. In fact, every year since I got to Japan I’ve been told that “The weather this year is strange”, same as “The cherry blossom this year is early/late”. This may well … Continue reading →

Posted in Adapting textbooks, Classroom dynamics, Classroom management, Classroom routines, English for study abroad, Teaching Japanese primary school children, Teaching young learners | Comments Off on Trains on time but weather delayed