Apr 26, 2015 Classroom Activities, Lexis, Opinions Asking more: why some questions are better than others There’s an old saying that claims questions are never dangerous – only answers are. Well, a recent presentation I saw by Jim Scrivener gave me pause to reconsider this received wisdowm and to ask whether some questions might be if not exactly dangerous, than at the very least far less useful, productive and worth learning […]
Apr 21, 2015 Exploiting Exercises, Resources Good CCQs for vocabulary Concept checking questions are a way to ensure students have understood what you taught. However, there are issues with CCQs for vocabulary as I explained in my talk at IATEFL. CCQs for grammar CCQs were really first designed for grammar and really at a rather different time for teaching. They came at the end of […]
Mar 31, 2015 Exploiting Exercises, Resources Van Gogh’s ear and wordlists We’ve had a suggested adaptation of some material from a teacher, Amber Nowak, in the Netherlands. It’s a little bit different to what we initially envisaged here in that Amber has already exploited the material in the book, Go for It 3, by David Nunan by extracting and focusing on vocabulary in a text about […]
Mar 27, 2015 Lexis, Opinions, Vocabulary Choice The Lexical Approach and natural selection Today we’re pleased to be able to bring you a guest post by Dr. Ivor Timmis. Ivor works at Leeds Beckett University and has always been one of the people we most look forward to hearing speak at conferences. Ivor has been involved in ELT for around 30 years – as a teacher, teacher trainer […]
Mar 23, 2015 Lexis, Opinions, The state of our profession, Vocabulary Choice In so many words: on the importance and shape of vocabulary lists Today we’re delighted to feature a guest post by Bruno Leys. Bruno works at VIVES University College in Bruges, Belgium. He’s published several coursebook series such as Breakaway, Takeaway and High Five and he regularly gives talks and workshops for teachers. Below, Bruno shares his thoughts on vocabulary lists . . . Last spring, when […]
