Category Archives: Lesson observations

A short diversion in which we advert to ancient Chinese wisdom

Posted on 15/12/2009 by alexcase

A guest piece by Sputnik of The TESLA Coil ” All teaching is based on deception While everything may seem hunky-dory to outsiders, those of us in the profession know that TESL is, in fact, beset by problems.  Chief among these … Continue reading →

Posted in Lesson observations, Teaching teenagers, TEFL blogs, TESLA Coil | Tagged , | 6 Comments

H1N1 as a reason for cancelling classes

Posted on 04/11/2009 by alexcase

… or just an excuse? You have to wonder. That is, you have to wonder if you are always paranoid about your last performance class. Sorry- sometimes my AmDram lovey side and my TEFL teacher side seem very close indeed, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Lesson observations, Teaching English in Korea | Tagged | 3 Comments

From Inside Inside Teaching Part One- On Observations

Posted on 15/10/2009 by alexcase

From the fabulous book by Tim Bowen and Jonathan Marks “I bet you’ll have a fit when you see how I teach” (a teacher on being observed) pg 1 “What our observers say to us after our lessons reveals more … Continue reading →

Posted in CPD, ELT publishing, Lesson observations, links, Peer observations, Teacher training, The Marxist TEFL Group | Tagged | 4 Comments

Some new ideas about CPD in ELT

Posted on 22/07/2009 by alexcase

From July’s MET, and now here on my “CPD portfolio”* The aptly named article “CPD” by Keith Harding has some interesting ideas I hadn’t come across like a Self-SWOT Analysis and a snap-shot observation, but the really weighty matters are … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambridge Delta, Cambridge ESOL, CELTA, CPD, Diploma in TESOL, ELT publishing, Lesson observations, modern english teacher magazine, Peer observations, Teacher training, Teaching English Abroad, TEFL, TEFL career planning, TEFL qualifications, TEFL working conditions, TEFL workshops | 5 Comments

Can teacher development make you happy?

Posted on 06/07/2009 by alexcase

I’m reading The Developing Teacher by Duncan Foord, the latest title from the always interesting Delta Publishing (get hold of free TEFL books like this yourself by clicking here) and it popped into my head that teacher development does provide a … Continue reading →

Posted in CPD, Delta Publishing, ELT publishing, Lesson observations, mentoring, Peer observations, Teacher training, TEFL, TEFL career planning, TESOL | Comments Off on Can teacher development make you happy?

Big Brother is teacher training you

Posted on 20/02/2009 by alexcase

‘“Gabriela, I want you to ask Kieran a question please,” [the head teacher] Benigno says into a microphone that conveys the instruction to the teacher’s earpiece. She’s noticed the boy turning round in his seat [on her monitor connected to … Continue reading →

Posted in CPD, Lesson observations, PGCE in TEFL, Teacher training, Technology | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The CELTA- what you’re letting yourself in for

Posted on 29/12/2008 by alexcase

The second in a new set of guest pieces (more writers wanted!), this time from recently CELTA certified blogger Jon Bellwood   “Thinking of doing a CELTA? Then before you take the plunge and lay down a substantial sum of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bruce Veldhuisen, Cambridge ESOL, CELTA, Lesson observations, links, Teacher training, Teaching English Abroad, TEFL, TEFL blogs, TEFL career planning, TEFL certificate, TEFL International, TEFL qualifications, TESOL in Australia | Tagged | 12 Comments

Do you want the temporary buzz of moving on and/ or up too?

Posted on 21/09/2008 by alexcase

Doesn’t last of course, especially the initial thrill of being in the chaos of a third world city or in the chaos left for you by the last person who had that DoS job, but if having some kind of … Continue reading →

Posted in Becoming a Director of Studies, becoming a teacher trainer, Business English and ESP, CPD, EFL exams, ELT management, ELT publishing, finding good TEFL jobs, getting into ELT publishing, Lesson observations, links, Materials, Peer observations, Teacher training, Teaching English in Asia, TEFL, TEFL career planning, TEFL CV/ TESOL resume, TEFL qualifications, TEFL reviews, TEFL working conditions, TEFL workshops, TESOL, Usingenglish | Tagged | 2 Comments

The Alternative ELT Jargon Dictionary Part 7

Posted on 06/06/2008 by alexcase

Community Language Learning– The theory that students getting together at break time to bitch about British food and their teacher is the best way of drawing them together and increasing their motivation to learn DoS– Director of Studies. Often confused … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative teaching techniques, Community language learning, CPD, links, Pairwork and groupwork, Peer observations, Suggestopedia, The Silent Way, Usingenglish | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Alternative ELT Jargon Dictionary Part 7

New TEFL Articles and Worksheets April 2008

Posted on 01/05/2008 by alexcase

Hopefully it’s just Mayday bank holiday rather than my lack of effort TEFLtasticwise recently that has seen a sudden drop in my number of views, but if only to make myself feel better I thought I’d give a list of … Continue reading →

Posted in Body language in the classroom, Business English and ESP, Cross cultural training in EFL, Cultural differences/ cultural training, Difficult sounds, EFL exams, ELT management, Error correction, False friends, Functional language, Grammar, Learner training, Lesson observations, links, Listening, Materials, Medical and pharmaceutical English, Peer observations, Photocopiable worksheets, Problem students, Pronunciation, Reading, Requests, Teaching English Abroad, Teaching English in Japan, TEFL, TEFL games, Travel and tourism, Usingenglish, Vocabulary | 3 Comments