ESL Jigsaws
5 Minutes Prep - 2 Hour Interactive Lesson!
Viewing entries tagged with 'beginner esl'
Teaching about Labor / Labour Day
If you are teaching ESL to immigrants or EFL to VISA students and the topic of Labor Day in the United States or Labour Day in Canada comes up, you may find that your students also celebrate a day for workers in their home countries, but that day is usually on May 1st. A national holiday in over 80 countries, May 1st is also celebrated unofficially in many more.
Garage Sales & Thrift Stores
It's summer and I'm back on the topic of second hand shopping. If you are teaching English to new immigrants, they may see something as they walk around their neighbourhoods at this time of year that they don't have in their home countries: garage sales. Likewise, they will likely come across thrift stores or flea markets in their neighbourhoods.
Writing About Household Repairs
I'm a big fan of using picture dictionaries to teach ESL, particularly to beginner and intermediate levels. Oxford Picture Dictionary, Heinle, Word By Word, I use them all. While they are all excellent and worth purchasing, my favourite is the Oxford Picture Dictionary because the pictures are so clear and pleasing. They also have different levels.
Bargaining Language & Soft Skills
Bargaining (or haggling) takes place all over the world. North Americans tend to think of it as restricted to places like flea markets or garage sales, when in fact bargaining takes place in a wide variety of business transactions. Think of the negotiation involved in the purchase of expensive items, such as cars or real estate.
Expanding on “Where Do You Live?
“Where do you live?” is one of the personal info questions teachers start with when teaching absolute beginner ESL. Once students have moved past the absolute beginner stage, it’s fun to move beyond that question and get really specific. Where in the world do you live? Where are you now?
Should We Teach About Easter?
Many ESL teachers have told me that they are not allowed to teach about Easter. It’s true that there is a fine line between educating students about a culture and cultural indoctrination. Especially in beginner level ESL classes, students may misunderstand and feel the teacher is proselytizing.
Page Directions for Low Beginner ESL
I've created an interactive activity for low beginner ESL to practice page directions. You'll find your class runs smoother when you can draw students' attention to where the class is looking on the page you're working on and make sure everyone is following. You're welcome to download my materials for free to use in your classroom.
Conversation Surveys Book for Low Beginners!
For years, literacy and low level one teachers have approached me at conferences desperate for low level materials. I’m so happy now to be able to offer another book, in addition to Callan’s Canadian Holidays for Low Beginner ESL, that is specifically targeted to their level.
Father's Day
I have been lucky to have two fathers: an adoptive father, who raised me until he died when I was ten, and a birth father, whom I met as a young adult. You may have seen my birth father, David, assisting me at my booth at a conference some time. What a great guy!
New Book for Low Beginner (CLB 1) !
The newest book, Callan's Canadian Holidays for Low Beginner ESL, just hit the site!
