Teaching adult ESL with no materials or time?
Here’s what works when nothing else does.
Most recent posts:
- The Vocabulary Game that Flopped and How I Fixed It
You know that game where someone shouts out a letter and a category, and you race to think of a word that fits? My family used to play a version of it, and we loved it. Competitive, fast-paced, lots of laughing when someone blanked on an obvious answer. So naturally, I tried it with my… Read more: The Vocabulary Game that Flopped and How I Fixed It - Your Adult ESL Students Have Gaps and That’s Completely Normal
I need to tell you something that might make your day easier. You know those gaps your students have? The ones where you’re teaching present perfect and suddenly realize half the class is shaky on simple past? Or you’re doing passive voice and someone raises their hand to ask what a past participle is? Those… Read more: Your Adult ESL Students Have Gaps and That’s Completely Normal
Older Posts:
Two Fun Activities to Review Prepositions of Time with Adult ESL
Look, I get it. You need to review prepositions of time. Again. Your students keep saying “on the morning” and “at Monday,” and you’re wondering…
Teaching Future Progressive…Because Simple Future Isn’t Enough
You’re probably teaching future progressive because it’s in the curriculum, and you need to cover it before the next unit test. Maybe you’re teaching it…
4 Fun Past Progressive Activities for Teaching Adult ESL Students
Did you know that the past progressive tense is a powerful tool for describing ongoing actions in the past? Okay, yeah, that sounds dramatic. But…
Teaching The Present Progressive Tense: Because the Past Tense is So Yesterday
So you’re teaching present progressive? As a native English speaker (if that’s what you are), you’ve been using this tense your entire life without thinking…
Talking About First Impressions in Adult ESL: More Than Just Smile and Nod
Your adult ESL students know first impressions are a must-have. They’re making their way through new social and professional environments where first impressions can open…
4 Fun Simple Past Activities for Adult ESL
You’ll want to try these four fun simple past activities with your adult ESL students! Whether your students are just now dipping their toes into…
Your Grammar Class Is Too Quiet: Here’s How to Fix It Without Blowing Up Your Schedule
“I think these English classes are a waste of time and money. We don’t get to practice speaking enough.” I overheard a student say that…
Your Discussion Questions Suck…Here’s How to Fix Them
Nothing kills a discussion faster than asking “What do you think about technology?” and watching a room full of adults suddenly find their phones fascinating….
Minimal Pairs for ESL Pronunciation: What They Are and Why They Work
Afaf threw a pencil at me once during a pronunciation lesson. She missed on purpose (I think), but still. That’s what minimal pairs can do…
The Amazing Power of Role Plays in Adult ESL
Role plays made this happen: A giant voice roared out of the young woman many never even noticed was in the classroom. She gestured as…
Practical Pet-Themed Activities for Adult ESL Classes: Tips and Ideas
Pets are everywhere in your students’ lives. Dogs on Instagram. Cats in memes. Coworkers talking about their rabbits. Neighbors complaining about barking. Rental applications asking…
Teaching /b/ and /p/ Pronunciation to Adult ESL Students
If you’ve ever taught adult ESL students whose first language is Arabic, you already know what’s coming. The b and p sounds. They sound harmless…
How to Teach Academic Vocabulary: A Helpful Guide for New Adult ESL Teachers
You’re staring at a list of academic vocabulary words you’re supposed to teach, and you have no idea where to start. No curriculum. No materials….
Beyond Basics: Teaching the Passive Voice for Adult ESL Success
Teaching the passive voice went from not on my radar to one of my favorite things to teach! I’m about to admit something embarrassing. When…
I Found My Old Gratitude Post…And Then I Found What Came After
I’ve been going through all my blog posts, fixing where images exploded into huge sizes and formatting got weird after I changed my site theme…
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