Worksheet: Express Opinions and Improve Critical Thinking with Consumer Product Reviews
“A man’s most valuable trait is a judicious sense of what not to believe.” — Euripides (485-406 B.C.E.), ancient Greek playwright Why use consumer product reviews as a teaching tool? How does this exercise benefit English language learners? Which skillsets are strengthened as a result? The giving and receiving of gifts has become a central feature of Christmas, Hanukkah,...
Read MoreWorksheet: Reviewing TED Talks to Create Compelling Conversations
“Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” —Malcolm Forbes (1919-1990), American entrepreneur and publisher How can you encourage your advanced ESL students to develop their speaking skills and tap into their interest in our rapidly changing world? By creating compelling classroom assignments that respect their intelligence, engage their...
Read MoreSharing is Caring: Substituting Connectivity for Communication
“Technology is a word that describes something that doesn’t work yet.” –Douglas Adams (1952-2001), English author and satirist Is the cult of oversharing online preventing us from establishing genuine connections? Do we expect more from our phones than our neighbors? Is this natural or healthy? “I share, therefore I am” Many believe relying on instant...
Read MoreTeaching Matters: Correcting Error in the Classroom
“I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think.” -Socrates (c. 470-399 BCE), Ancient Greek philosopher What are “good mistakes?” How can we – as teachers of English – encourage students to make more of them? When can we use error as an opportunity to increase students’ confidence in their speech? Recently, we’ve stumbled onto an...
Read MoreJob Interviews: Asking Better Questions – from the Hiring Seat
“Hiring is a manager’s most important job.” –Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005), American management consultant Can you put yourself in the shoes of a manager looking to hire two new staff members? What qualities are employers looking for in a new hire? What kinds of interview questions encourage real reflection and promote compelling workplace conversations? How can a manager...
Read More