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      Teaching Tips

      Teaching tips extends the Language Assistant resource manual with more tips and practical hints.

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      4.31915

      Using cartoons and comic strips

      Introduction
      Cartoons and comic strips can be used from beginner level to advanced level for a variety of language and discussion activities.
      4.42857

      Adapting materials for different age groups

      Introduction
       In the last teaching tip we looked at how to adapt materials for mixed ability groups. This is the most common type of adaptation that teachers have to do. However,

      4.02941

      Fluency activities for lower levels

      Developing spoken fluency with learners at low levels can be very challenging, but here are some tips and activities which may help.
      4.38095

      Realia

       ‘Realia’ in EFL terms refers to any real objects we use in the classroom to bring the class to life. In this tip I’d like to offer a few suggestions for activities using realia and to consider why we may want to bring things into the class.

      4.5625

      Using poetry

      The reasons for using poetry are similar to those for using songs and many activities that you do with songs can be adapted to poetry. Any authentic material exposes students to some ‘real English’ and can be

      Most popular
      4.46479

      The First Class

      Before going into your first class with a new group you may feel a little nervous. It can be quite daunting to stand up in front of people if you are not used to doing so, and for many Language Assistants who are students themselves it will be a strange kind of role reversal.
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      Short projects to get them talking

      There’s nothing like a group project to get students talking and they work well as long as:
      4.42857

      Adapting materials for different age groups

      Introduction
       In the last teaching tip we looked at how to adapt materials for mixed ability groups. This is the most common type of adaptation that teachers have to do. However,

      4.421055

      Using music and songs

      Introduction
       Music can play a really important part in the language classroom. It can change the atmosphere in the room within seconds.

      4.4

      Strategies for keeping attention

      Keeping students' attention and stopping them from getting distracted is a big challenge. Here are some reasons why students’ attention may wander and ways to keep your classes on track.

      A to Z list
      4.2807

      Establishing the ground rules

      Introduction
      Good classroom management skills are essential to the smooth and efficient running of any classroom. But, no one is born knowing all the ‘tricks of the trade’ and most teachers learn the hard way,
      3.75

      Festive resources

      Introduction

      This week's tips is a pick and mix of classroom activities on a festive/seasonal theme. Secondary and Primary teachers will find there is something for them. Don't forget to check out last year's seasonal links and

      3.65625

      Fluency activities for higher levels

      Learners beyond intermediate level require more opportunities to speak at length. It can be a challenge to find interesting topics and we can sometimes concentrate too much on issues and topics in the news.
      4.02941

      Fluency activities for lower levels

      Developing spoken fluency with learners at low levels can be very challenging, but here are some tips and activities which may help.
      4

      Getting adults and children to talk

      Both adults and children need practice at talking to be able to develop their speaking skills, but that things that stimulate them to talk are often quite different.

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      Your comments
      okitaprof's picture

      okitaprof
      Peru       		could you recommend me some books that talk about teaching with comics or visuals.
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      Sky7's picture

      Sky7
      Saudi Arabia

      How about teenagers at school? especially when most don't like english classes as they are non-...
      read comment

      patyheber's picture

      patyheber
      Argentina

      Thanks! I loved it,

      Pat.


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      A - Z of content

      A multi-level writing class

      Activities for first lessons 1

      Activities for first lessons 2

      Activities for using magazines in the classroom

      Activities on the theme of Summer

      Activities on the theme of Summer 2

      Adapting materials for different age groups

      Adapting materials for mixed ability classes

      Checking comprehension

      Christmas tips

      Classroom layout

      Dealing with discipline

      Drama techniques to get them talking

      End of year activities

      Error Correction

      Establishing the ground rules

      Festive resources

      Fluency activities for higher levels

      Fluency activities for lower levels

      Getting adults and children to talk

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