The English teachers voice

Conducting a classroom debate is a fantastic way to get students to engage with the topic of the class while also developing their speaking skills, listening skills, and critical thinking skills. However, knowing how to conduct a classroom debate successfully and getting students to actively participate can be challenging. Debates often require students to discuss controversial debate topics which can lead to heated discussions and disagreements, and so taking part in a classroom debate can be quite intimidating for students. Conducting A Classroom Debate 1. Choose An Appropriate Debate Topic One of the most important things to consider when preparing a class debate is to choose an appropriate debate topic. If a particular topic is too difficult or complex, or something which students cannot relate to, the class debate will likely fail. The best debate topics are those that students have an interest in and can easily relate to. Choosing a good debate topic will enable students to activ...

How and why to ease students into real-world English with roleplay activities and simulations. L earning a language is a complex and long process as anyone who has tried will agree. One of the most difficult and frustrating things is making the transition from the classroom to the ‘real’ world. In the classroom, everyone knows you are a student and mistakes are allowed, and the environment is contained and safe. Speaking another language outside the classroom is completely different and often students are lost at sea as soon as they step outside the door. Lists of memorized vocabulary are suddenly useless when ordering in a restaurant. Role-plays, or simulations are one of the ways ESL instructors can ease students’ transition into using English in real world situations. A simulation is where students act out a real-life situation, for example checking into at a hotel, but do not act out a different personality. Role-plays are where students take on different personalities. In a role-p...

  Six tips to boost your IELTS reading section The reading section of the IELTS test can be a little intimidating due to the length of the passages. But if you know the right strategies, and my top tips, it should be a piece of cake!  1. Know the test Like all international language testing systems, IELTS has a unique format, so I recommend familiarising yourself with the details before you arrive. Start by answering the following questions. How long is the test? What’s the format?  How many texts are there? What kind of texts are they? What skills will be tested? What types of questions will be asked? What skills do you need to answer the questions? Will you have extra time to transfer your answers?  2. Practice makes perfect If you like reading, then improving your English reading skills can be an enjoyable experience – you can sit in the comfort of your home and engross yourself in a book. Take every opportunity to read, from novels and b...

  Six tips to boost your listening  1. Again, know the test! I always recommend answering the following questions before you take the test.  What are the question types? (Each question type requires a separate strategy.) What is the format? What is expected from me for each part of the test?  What skills do I need? 2. Practice, practice, practice Improve your listening skills by becoming an active listener. Films and TV series may be fun to watch, but going further will make a big difference. Listen to a variety of English language resources, such as podcasts, news reports, and Ted talks, which will expose you to new vocabulary and different accents (you may not just hear British accents during the IELTS test recordings).  The aim is to make listening a part of your daily life. You can find a variety of interesting and fun content online. Start with topics you are most interested in, before moving onto more academic material.   Being used to heari...