I develop my own TESOL teaching resources, specifically aimed at adult learners at a range of abilities. My classes are beginner (CEFR A1-2), pre-intermediate (CEFR B1), upper intermediate (CEFR B2), and advanced (CEFR C1-2). I offer a range of topics including speaking, culture, grammar. In addition, I combine my passion for history with my EFL teaching experience in my History classes.
I develop my own TESOL teaching resources, specifically aimed at adult learners at a range of abilities. My classes are beginner (CEFR A1-2), pre-intermediate (CEFR B1), upper intermediate (CEFR B2), and advanced (CEFR C1-2). I offer a range of topics including speaking, culture, grammar. In addition, I combine my passion for history with my EFL teaching experience in my History classes.
This is an advanced (CEFR C1, IELTS 7.0) EFL Speaking class about motivation. Students will first describe various images showing different levels of motivation. Students should be encouraged to discuss what makes people motivated. Next, students discuss with their partners a definition of motivation and other basic concepts. Target language (empowerment, enthusiastic, incentive, admire, ambition, appreciation) is introduced in a match-up activity. Students then complete a gap-fill activity with the new vocabulary. Students then use the vocabulary in a discussion activity. Next, students read three situations and choose their particular motivation for doing that activity. Students are introduced to a reading activity by looking at a picture of a donkey, a carrot and a stick. Students should be encouraged to discuss the idea of motivating someone with a reward or a punishment. Finally, students think of examples of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations.
This is an advanced (CEFR C1, IELTS 7.0) EFL Speaking class about nuclear power. Students first look at images related to nuclear power issues (reactor, waste, plant). Students then discuss the concept of energy. Target language (technician, meltdown, reactor, nuclear waste, turbine, contamination) is introduced using pictures. Students then complete sentences using the vocabulary. Finally, students complete three interactive speaking activities (discussion, agree/disagree, debate) about the topic.
This is an upper intermediate (CEFR B2, IELTS 6.0) EFL Speaking class about jokes. Students first describe a picture of some men laughing. Teachers could elicit information about the situation to contextualise the class. A short discussion about jokes follows. Students then read a short text which introduces the target language (prank, knock-knock, dad jokes, pun). Students then look at various pictures which should introduce some different jokes. Students should then decide what kind of joke it is by referring back to the text they read. Students can discuss the jokes they learned and jokes in their culture. Verbs of speech (whisper, sigh, mumble, blurt out, whine, snap) are then practiced using a vocabulary match-up activity. Comprehension is then confirmed using pictures. The next activity sees students reading some jokes, in which they must find the verb of speech they learned. Some more puns are learned. Finally, students can practice their punchline delivery in English; print out slides 28-37. Every two slides is a new joke, assign students a partner and have them read the joke and deliver the punchline.
This is an upper intermediate (CEFR B2, IELTS 6.0) EFL Speaking class about gardening. Students first describe images of gardens, after which they discuss gardening in general with a partner. Target language (lawn, soil, shrubs, pond, path, flowerbed) is introduced using photographs. Students confirm their understanding by choosing the correct piece of vocabulary for each sentence. A discussion then follows. Next, students look at a birds-eye view of a garden plan, which they should describe. Next, students can design their own garden (recommend printing slide 12). Finally, students give their opinions using agree/disagree statements.
This is an upper intermediate (CEFR B2, IELTS 6.0) EFL Speaking class about stress. Students first describe pictures of people suffering from stress. Students should be encouraged to think about the causes of stress. Students then discuss general questions about stress. After that, students read a text about stress and its consequences. Target language (meditation, exercise, stress ball, sleep well, breathing exercise, therapist) is introduced in pictures. Four free production activities (rank and defend, pros and cons, discussion, agree/disagree) consolidate students’ learning and provide multiple opportunities to produce the language.
This is an upper intermediate (CEFR B2, IELTS 6.0) EFL Speaking class about personality. Students firstly think about their best friend and share why they like him/her with a partner. Students then read a text about someone’s friends and why he likes them. Descriptions of each friend are highlighted; the teacher should encourage students to think about an adjective that matches each description. The target language (selfish, kind, optimistic, dishonest, lazy, helpful) is introduced using a match-up activity. Pronunciation and form in a sentence are then drilled. Students confirm understanding by completing a gap-fill with each word. The question form for asking about someone’s personality is then introduced (what + be + subject + like?). Students then look at images of different jobs and discuss what kind of personality each job should/shouldn’t have. Antonyms of the target language are introduced via match-up, after which students discuss their own experiences with each of the personality types.
This is an upper intermediate (CEFR B2, IELTS 6.0) EFL Speaking class about spending or saving money. Students first describe an image of people withdrawing cash from ATMs. Students then describe the last time they did various things involving money. Key vocabulary (spend, borrow, waste, lend, invest, cut) involving money is then matched to the correct preposition. Pronunciation of each verb is then drilled. Students’ understanding is then confirmed in a gap-fill activity. Students then brainstorm common things they spend money on, before discussing their spending habits in pairs or small groups. Next, students discuss ways in which they can save money in different areas (shopping, home, entertainment, transportation). Finally, students discuss their opinions in an agree/disagree activity.
This is an advanced (CEFR C1, IELTS 7.0) EFL Speaking class about asteroid mining. Students begin by looking at three images of asteroids and mining. Teachers should encourage students to describe each picture using vocabulary related to the topic. A basic discussion about the concept of mining follows. Target language (elements, drill, ore, remote mining, radiation, rare earth metals) is introduced using pictures. A gap-fill activity follows. Students then discuss the vocabulary. Next, students read an article about asteroid mining, which they then answer comprehension questions about. Students then discuss the pros and cons of asteroid mining. Next, students debate asteroid mining. Finally, students unscramble the vocabulary they learned in the class.
This is an advanced (CEFR C1, IELTS 7.0) EFL Speaking class about the courtroom. Firstly, students will describe a picture of a courtroom. The teacher should aim to elicit vocabulary like judge, jury etc. Next, students discuss the job of lawyer. Target language (jury, usher, judge, defendant, prosecutor, defence lawyer) is introduced in a match-up activity. Students then drill the pronunciation of these words. Students will then read a summary of a legal proceeding, beginning with an arrest and ending in a sentencing. Key courtroom phrases are highlighted, which the students confirm their understanding of using comprehension questions. Students then complete an agree/disagree activity followed by a final discussion on the future of crime.
This is an advanced (CEFR C1, IELTS 7.0) EFL Speaking class about astronomy. Students first describe images of phenomena in space. They will then complete a short quiz with facts about space. Target language (space probe, comet, gravity, light year, planet, orbit) is introduced using pictures. Students drill the pronunciation of the vocabulary. Next, students prepare for a reading activity by reading a short summary of the Voyager 1 space probe and Proxima Centauri. The students then read the article about Voyager 1. A discussion follows. Some words showing likelihood are then learned in context, before students place each word (no doubt, no chance, doubtful, likely, certain, impossibility) on a scale from 0% to 100%. Students then discuss the likelihood of different scenarios using the target language. The form of each word is practiced in a gap-fill activity, before students end the class by discussing how they would help aliens learn about humans.
This is an advanced (CEFR C1, IELTS 7.0) EFL Speaking class about gender roles. Students begin the class by describing pictures of a mother with children and a man working. Teachers should encourage students to share their opinions about the pictures. An introductory discussion about gender stereotypes follows. Next, students learn target language (glass ceiling, empower, breadwinner, patriarchal, caregiver, wage gap) by looking at photographs. A gap-fill exercise consolidates students’ understanding of the words. A discussion and agree/disagree activity follows. The class ends with a gap-fill reading activity (more difficult).
This is an advanced (CEFR C1, IELTS 7.0) EFL Speaking class about superstition. Students first guess then learn the meaning of superstition. Next, students brainstorm as many superstitions as they can. A short discussion about luck follows. Target language related to superstitions (black cat, Friday the 13th, walking under a ladder, touch wood, wish on a shooting star, four-leaf clover) is introduced in pictures. Students then decide which of these superstitions is lucky and which are unlucky. Next, students discuss these superstitions compared to those in their country/culture. After that, students state their opinions in an agree/disagree activity. After that, the students read a text about a superstitious person called Sarah. They then answer comprehension questions. Finally, students perform a role-play based on the text.
This is an advanced (CEFR C1, IELTS 7.0) EFL Speaking class about punctuality. Students are first discuss their daily routine and what happens if they are late for work. Students then read a short dialogue in which the target language (all set, meet about + time, be a bit of a squeeze, half six, might be late, on time) is introduced. After that, students will match the vocabulary to its meaning. Students practice the new vocabulary in a role play activity. They then discuss the idea of being late. Next, students brainstorm common excuses for being late, before looking at six pictures and guessing which excuse the person has used. Students then rank the best to worst excuses for being late. Finally, students learn four idioms related to time before discussing them.
This is an advanced (CEFR C1, IELTS 7.0) EFL Speaking class about pet peeves. Students are introduced to the topic using pictures of things people often get annoyed about (invading personal space, eating loudly, talking on the phone loudly). Students then discuss things that irritate them personally and how they react. Target language (queue jumping, cracking knuckles, chewing loudly, not indicating when turning in a car, arriving late, interrupting) is introduced in pictures. Students then discuss their own pet peeve using the vocabulary. Next, students brainstorm ways in which they can show annoyance. Students then read a dialogue between two people. Students should find the ways in which the people express annoyance. Students then match vocabulary from the text to the correct preposition. After that, students practice using the vocabulary in a speaking activity. Next, students rank and defend the thing which annoys them most, before finishing the lesson with a descriptive activity using images.
This is an advanced (CEFR C1, IELTS 7.0) EFL Speaking class about service jobs. Students first brainstorm as many jobs as they know. They then discuss their own job. Target language (flight attendant, call centre rep, barista, housekeeper, personal trainer, security guard) is introduced using pictures. Students then match the job with the equipment that person needs to do their job. Students then discuss their interest in jobs. Prior to reading an article about the service sector, students look at a pyramid showing primary sector, secondary sector and tertiary sector. Students should be encouraged to think about the different types of employment. Students then answer comprehension questions about the text before they finish the class by discussing service jobs in an agree/disagree activity.
This is an advanced (CEFR C1, IELTS 7.0) EFL Speaking class about university. Students first look at pictures of things associated with university. They then discuss some questions about university activities, subjects and university in their culture. Target language (campus, fresher, degree, professor, scholarship, group work) is introduced in pictures. Students then choose the correct word to complete a sentence. Next, students discuss the words in pairs. After that, students rank and defend the subject they would most like to study. Next, students read an article about studying in the UK. They then answer comprehension questions. To finish the class, students make predictions about university in the future and discuss the pros and cons of studying abroad.
This is an advanced (CEFR C1, IELTS 7.0) EFL Speaking class about risks. Students begin by describing pictures showing people doing risky activities (gambling, investing, skydiving). Students then discuss their concept of risk and examples of risks. Target language (investments, gambling, rock-climbing, dangerous driving, crime, free-diving) is introduced in pictures. Students rank the most to least dangerous activity. After that, they discuss the risky activities they learned. Before reading an article about free-climber Alex Honnold, students look at pictures of him climbing a cliff with no ropes. Students answer questions about the text before finishing the class with an interactive agree/disagree activity.
This is a beginner (CEFR A2, IELTS 4.0) EFL Grammar class about the present simple and present continuous aspects. Students will learn the form and function of both aspects and the differences between them. Gap-fill and speaking activities provide students with the opportunity to consolidate their learning.
This is a pre-intermediate (CEFR B1, IELTS 5.0) EFL Grammar class about the present continuous aspect for future actions. Students will learn the difference between present continuous for present actions and future actions. Students also learn when not to use the present continuous for future actions. An interactive speaking activity allows students to practice using the target language. A reading activity and a discussion end the class.
This is a pre-intermediate (CEFR B1, IELTS 5.0) EFL Grammar class about adverbs of time. Students will learn key vocabulary (adverb, definite, indefinite) to help them understand grammatical terms they encounter in the class. The basic concept of adverbs is introduced before students focus on why we use adverbs of time. Students learn the three key types (when, how long, how often) and practice with various brainstorming and gap-fill activities. Students test their understanding using concept check questions. Discussion and reading activities allow students to produce the language individually.