My articles on Usingenglish.com
This is a list of my 100 or so articles on that site. For a full list of my articles and photocopiable worksheets on UE, see here.
63 ways to improve your BULATS writing score
Why does my teacher make me correct my own answers?
Why does my teacher stop me using my dictionary?
A good balance of stand up and sit down activities
A well balanced use of warmers and fillers
When the demands of people who are studying and paying clash
The advantages and disadvantages of blind observations
A well-balanced use of pairwork
Planning a kindergarten first class
Preparing for your first preschool English class
Preparing for your first Business English/ ESP class
First lessons for IELTS classes
How to learn English with your young child
How to improve your pronunciation outside class
Activities for conversation exchanges
How to correct yourself outside class
How to choose English classes for your young kids
Video tasks for practice past tenses
Video tasks for present simple and continuous
Video tasks for specific language points and skills
An A to Z guide to Cambridge Delta Module 2
Cambridge Delta Module 2 by numbers
Classroom language for teaching pronunciation
Video tasks for future and conditionals
Glossary of football words and expressions
Football and World Cup EFL teaching ideas
Classroom language for arts and crafts
The big list of discipline classroom language
Setting up a Self-Access Centre
Classroom language- Phraselist for praising, encouraging and consoling
Useful classroom language for moving around
The big list of ending the lesson language
The big list of language for playing games
Language for talking about lessons
Classroom language when using texts
Activities and topics about history for ESL classes
Classroom language for finishing classes
Prehistory and ancient history for ESL classes
Combing history topics and English grammar
History-themed art, craft and project ideas for English through history
The advantages and disadvantages of eliciting in the EFL classroom
Why did my foolproof activity just fail with that class?
Classroom language when doing listenings
Classroom language when using the board
Classroom language for starting lessons
Preparing to teach your first EFL exam class
A well balanced use of L1 in class
A well balanced use of error correction
Why does my teacher make us work in pairs?
Why does my teacher use games in an adult class?
Why does my teacher make us read difficult authentic texts?
Why does my teacher skip exercises in the textbook?
Why does my teacher make me use an English-English dictionary?
Why does my teacher make me learn English grammar words?
Why does my teacher make me read silently?
Why your students overuse their dictionaries
Why doesn’t my teacher correct all my mistakes when I am speaking?
70 characteristics of a good grammar presentation
Why your students don’t want to do pairwork
Why does my teacher make me learn the phonemic script
Why your students still make mistakes with grammar they know well
Advantages and disadvantages of peer observations
Things to put in a Self- Access Centre or Student Library
Why do my students question me?
Why your students have problems with listening comprehension
Why your students speak L1 in class and ideas on how to use that and/ or stop it
Why your students don’t do their homework, and how to respond
Setting up a TEFL certificate course- Advantages and disadvantages
How to set up a TEFL certificate course
How to break into teacher training
The perfect job reference for a teacher trainer
The perfect CV and cover letter for an EFL exam teacher
The perfect CV and cover letter for TEFL young learners teacher
The perfect CV and cover letter for an EFL manager
The perfect CV and cover letter for a teacher trainer- tips for TEFL job applications, career planning and career development
The perfect CV and cover letter for a Business English teacher
Present Perfect Games and Activities
70 ways to improve your English- self-study and motivation tips for students (also useful for teachers advising students on improving their English outside the classroom)
IELTS Academic reading locating information task tips for teachers- game ideas, tips to give students etc.
TOEIC FAQ- for teachers and students, including updated exam
Choosing a good TOEIC class and good TOEIC teacher- tips for students, but could help you write your CV or ad if you are a good TOEIC teacher, or interview teachers if you are a DoS
100 ways to improve your TOEIC listening- advice on how to approach the exam and self-study for students, but also useful for teachers
The 24 hours before your TOEIC exam- advice for students on last minute preparation, relaxation etc. that you might want to pass onto them in class
21 ways to get more out of your TOEIC class- tips for students on how to make the most of class time
Making textbook listenings manageable and fun
The perfect CV and cover letter for a TEFL teacher- in terms of clicks, one of my most popular articles!
TOEIC exam problems and solutions- focused advice on typical particular student questions and difficulties
Fun for all the family 3- A few fun ways to practice articles and determiners- games for all ages and learning styles
Putting the grammar back into Xmas- lots of fun ideas on how to combine a Xmas lesson with your textbook syllabus
Doing something with Xmas songs- making Xmas songs in adult classes useful for grammar and vocabulary points and skills development
Fun for all the family 2- 26 alphabet and spelling games- reading, writing and spelling games for ESL learners of all ages
100 ways to improve your TOEIC score for students
Combining Xmas with a young learner syllabus- mainly for very young learner (pre-school) classes
Christmas vocabulary you can mime- making Xmas vocabulary fun, interactive and easy to remember for small and very small kids
Tips for the IELTS Academic Reading- Locating information task
Getting published in TEFL Part One- Choosing a route
Career Paths in ELT Publishing Part Two- The Workshops man
Testing and Reviewing New EFL Materials- writing reviews on TEFL websites and in TEFL magazines, and discussing new materials and choosing the best ones for your school
Tips for the Automated Teacher- How to keep your motivation up as the years go by
Career Paths in ELT Publishing- The Articles Man
Why and how to use songs with young learners
Fun for all the family 1- 22 games for teaching numbers for young learners, adults, business English and technical English students all in one- “Fun for all the family!”
IELTS Academic Reading Tips- Matching Headings to Paragraphs Task- Tips for Students and Tips for Teachers
TOEIC Listening Part One Photos Task- Tips for Students and Tips for Teachers
