LINKS
A random collection of
websites, blogs and whatevers which I often take a look at and/or suggest to
fellow teachers (and some to students).
IATEFL
The International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language website. It supports teachers in their development, has Special Interest Groups, and organises an inspiring, exhilarating annual conference .. this is our association. Thousands of teachers from all over the world are members, mainly in mainstream education but also many working in private language schools. Check it out.
The International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language website. It supports teachers in their development, has Special Interest Groups, and organises an inspiring, exhilarating annual conference .. this is our association. Thousands of teachers from all over the world are members, mainly in mainstream education but also many working in private language schools. Check it out.
MATEFL
The website of the Malta Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language. This website has interesting articles plus a comprehensive range of links for teachers (and learners) to explore. A must, especially if you’re based in Malta.
The website of the Malta Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language. This website has interesting articles plus a comprehensive range of links for teachers (and learners) to explore. A must, especially if you’re based in Malta.
EFL Monitoring Board Malta
The website of Malta’s EFL Monitoring Board. Here you can find out most of what you need to know about the EFL industry in Malta eg statistics, what you need to do in order to teach EFL in private language schools, lists of schools, past papers of exams held by the board, etc. It’s part of the Ministry of Education and Employment and straddles this Ministry and the Ministry of Tourism.
In 2012 the Board organised a successful international ELT conference and repeated this in 2013. Another is planned for October 2014 – definitely worth attending.
The website of Malta’s EFL Monitoring Board. Here you can find out most of what you need to know about the EFL industry in Malta eg statistics, what you need to do in order to teach EFL in private language schools, lists of schools, past papers of exams held by the board, etc. It’s part of the Ministry of Education and Employment and straddles this Ministry and the Ministry of Tourism.
In 2012 the Board organised a successful international ELT conference and repeated this in 2013. Another is planned for October 2014 – definitely worth attending.
BBC and British Council
The British Council’s and BBC’s wonderful free website full of resources for teacher development, articles, ideas, worksheets, techniques – it’s got the lot and it’s quality.
The British Council’s and BBC’s wonderful free website full of resources for teacher development, articles, ideas, worksheets, techniques – it’s got the lot and it’s quality.
Lindsay Clandfield
Six Things: a collection of miscellany from the world of English Language Teaching I really enjoy everything Lindsay Clandfield produces –I think he’s one of the most refreshing practitioners we’ve seen in the industry during the last ten years. Always iconoclastic, creative, collaborative and frequently inspirational. This is a project he actually stopped doing in 2010 but it’s full of interesting ideas simply to browse through. Thanks, Lindsay.
Six Things: a collection of miscellany from the world of English Language Teaching I really enjoy everything Lindsay Clandfield produces –I think he’s one of the most refreshing practitioners we’ve seen in the industry during the last ten years. Always iconoclastic, creative, collaborative and frequently inspirational. This is a project he actually stopped doing in 2010 but it’s full of interesting ideas simply to browse through. Thanks, Lindsay.
Macmillan
Another superb website for teachers. This one is run by Macmillan, the publishers, and there is an annual subscription fee for individuals of UKGBP42. It’s certainly worth it – thousands of quality resources, constantly updated.
Another superb website for teachers. This one is run by Macmillan, the publishers, and there is an annual subscription fee for individuals of UKGBP42. It’s certainly worth it – thousands of quality resources, constantly updated.
Russell Stannard
Russell is such a prolific writer on education technology. You simply must see this award-winning website where (for free) Russell takes you through easy-to-follow steps as he teaches you how to use a vast range of tools available today to help teachers and learners in the classroom. I’ve learnt so much from using these videos. And believe me, folks, if I can understand and learn how to use these tools, anybody can!
Russell is such a prolific writer on education technology. You simply must see this award-winning website where (for free) Russell takes you through easy-to-follow steps as he teaches you how to use a vast range of tools available today to help teachers and learners in the classroom. I’ve learnt so much from using these videos. And believe me, folks, if I can understand and learn how to use these tools, anybody can!
Scott Thornbury: An A-Z of ELT
In the last twenty years, through his writing, talks and training courses, Scott has perhaps wielded more influence on the world of ELT than any other teacher, trainer, academic or writer. He is precise, concise, insightful and totally accessible without ever being patronising. For many, he is The Guru (although he probably wouldn’t appreciate being called that). His voice is encompassing, inclusive and constructively critical.
In 2013 he stopped writing this fascinating blog (designed to complement his reference book on English language and Language Teaching terms and concepts, An A-Z of ELT). It’s still up there (December 2013) and if you’re an experienced teacher and want to go on being inquisitive and to further your understanding, try and dip into it as often as you can. This is what Scott wrote at the beginning:
In 2006 I wrote An A-Z of ELT – an encyclopedia-dictionary of terminology relating to English language and English language teaching. As soon as it was published (by Macmillan) I was already planning an update. Hence this blog. Here I will regularly post articles relating to existing entries, or with a view to creating new entries, should the A-Z be revised. You can help me, by posting responses or making suggestions as to topics that you think should be included or amendments that should be made to existing topics. I’ll be dealing with topics in no particular order, simply as the mood takes me!
And at the end …
So this is it, folks: I’m closing down the blog for the summer… and for good. After 3 years, 150 posts, nearly 7000 comments, and innumerable hits, visits, views, however you want to describe and count them, plus one e-book spin-off (but no sign of a second edition of An A-Z!), I think it’s time to call it a day.
Some of the most popular posts on this blog have been re-worked in the form of an e-book, called Big Questions in ELT, which is published by The Round.
In the last twenty years, through his writing, talks and training courses, Scott has perhaps wielded more influence on the world of ELT than any other teacher, trainer, academic or writer. He is precise, concise, insightful and totally accessible without ever being patronising. For many, he is The Guru (although he probably wouldn’t appreciate being called that). His voice is encompassing, inclusive and constructively critical.
In 2013 he stopped writing this fascinating blog (designed to complement his reference book on English language and Language Teaching terms and concepts, An A-Z of ELT). It’s still up there (December 2013) and if you’re an experienced teacher and want to go on being inquisitive and to further your understanding, try and dip into it as often as you can. This is what Scott wrote at the beginning:
In 2006 I wrote An A-Z of ELT – an encyclopedia-dictionary of terminology relating to English language and English language teaching. As soon as it was published (by Macmillan) I was already planning an update. Hence this blog. Here I will regularly post articles relating to existing entries, or with a view to creating new entries, should the A-Z be revised. You can help me, by posting responses or making suggestions as to topics that you think should be included or amendments that should be made to existing topics. I’ll be dealing with topics in no particular order, simply as the mood takes me!
And at the end …
So this is it, folks: I’m closing down the blog for the summer… and for good. After 3 years, 150 posts, nearly 7000 comments, and innumerable hits, visits, views, however you want to describe and count them, plus one e-book spin-off (but no sign of a second edition of An A-Z!), I think it’s time to call it a day.
Some of the most popular posts on this blog have been re-worked in the form of an e-book, called Big Questions in ELT, which is published by The Round.
Hugh Dellar
Thoughts, rants and ramblings on the teaching of English as a foreign language. Sometimes provocative and controversial, always thought-provoking, this blog is often inspirational. And Hugh is perhaps one of the most mesmerising speakers I’ve ever come across at an ELT event. Pity he supports Arsenal, but never mind ….. J
Thoughts, rants and ramblings on the teaching of English as a foreign language. Sometimes provocative and controversial, always thought-provoking, this blog is often inspirational. And Hugh is perhaps one of the most mesmerising speakers I’ve ever come across at an ELT event. Pity he supports Arsenal, but never mind ….. J
Jo Gakonga
A clear, easy-to-use website, particularly useful for teachers in training, new and inexperienced teachers – or experienced teachers who would welcome a refresher. Jo holds monthly webinars (training videos) which are really clear and useful. If you’re about to do a CELTA, Cert.TESOL or any TEFL course and you’re worried about grammar, I highly recommend Jo’s course on Grammar Made easy - a specialist self access grammar course for language teachers- gives you the grammatical nomenclature you'll need to teach English.
A clear, easy-to-use website, particularly useful for teachers in training, new and inexperienced teachers – or experienced teachers who would welcome a refresher. Jo holds monthly webinars (training videos) which are really clear and useful. If you’re about to do a CELTA, Cert.TESOL or any TEFL course and you’re worried about grammar, I highly recommend Jo’s course on Grammar Made easy - a specialist self access grammar course for language teachers- gives you the grammatical nomenclature you'll need to teach English.
John Hughes
An interesting site for teachers and teacher trainers. I particularly like John’s articles on fostering critical thinking in the classroom. Currently (2013/14) he’s writing a lot about writing materials for ELT. He also writes prolifically on Business English and using images (particularly video) in ELT. A lot of his blogs and articles tie in with what he himself has learned as a coursebook writer.
An interesting site for teachers and teacher trainers. I particularly like John’s articles on fostering critical thinking in the classroom. Currently (2013/14) he’s writing a lot about writing materials for ELT. He also writes prolifically on Business English and using images (particularly video) in ELT. A lot of his blogs and articles tie in with what he himself has learned as a coursebook writer.
Vocabulary
A free multiple-choice word game with increasing levels of difficulty. Each point you win represents a grain of rice. As of April 2013, Freerice players had ‘raised’ enough rice to provide 10 million meals in the poorest, often war-torn countries in the world. Not only is it a game with a social conscience, but it’s fun! It’s visually appealing, addictive and can really motivate learners (and you) to widen their vocabulary. I love it.
A free multiple-choice word game with increasing levels of difficulty. Each point you win represents a grain of rice. As of April 2013, Freerice players had ‘raised’ enough rice to provide 10 million meals in the poorest, often war-torn countries in the world. Not only is it a game with a social conscience, but it’s fun! It’s visually appealing, addictive and can really motivate learners (and you) to widen their vocabulary. I love it.
Online Dictionaries
Macmillan dictionary My favourite ELT dictionary: I love the thesaurus (I’m so often stuck for the mot juste) and the buzzword
Macmillan dictionary My favourite ELT dictionary: I love the thesaurus (I’m so often stuck for the mot juste) and the buzzword
Word reference
A wonderful translation dictionary with a whole range of languages.
A wonderful translation dictionary with a whole range of languages.
Visuals, games, puzzles and more
Mes-english
A great website. Full of free games, flashcards (they’re wonderful, honestly!) and much much more. Designed for use with younger learners (many are in cartoons). Teachers often use them effectively with teenagers and adults –I certainly have.
Mes-english
A great website. Full of free games, flashcards (they’re wonderful, honestly!) and much much more. Designed for use with younger learners (many are in cartoons). Teachers often use them effectively with teenagers and adults –I certainly have.
Puzzlemaker
How I love this website! I used to spend hours making crosswords and word searches for my learners to revise a particular topic area. Now – a couple of minutes and a couple of clicks and that’s all it takes. For example: you type out some items of vocabulary (eg clothes, or, with a higher level, pollution) together with a brief definition. Two clicks – and a blank crossword appears, with clues, all ready to print out. Ah……. Thank you, Puzzlemaker.
How I love this website! I used to spend hours making crosswords and word searches for my learners to revise a particular topic area. Now – a couple of minutes and a couple of clicks and that’s all it takes. For example: you type out some items of vocabulary (eg clothes, or, with a higher level, pollution) together with a brief definition. Two clicks – and a blank crossword appears, with clues, all ready to print out. Ah……. Thank you, Puzzlemaker.
Bibs and bobs
A Word A Day
"The most welcomed, most enduring piece of daily mass e-mail in cyberspace."
A free subscription service where you receive a word a day by email. The word will be of interest for one reason or another, And the author, Anu Garg, will keep you enthralled with his explanations and etymologies. If you love words, this is for you. And an added value is the daily Thought For The Day: insightful, erudite and illuminating.
A Word A Day
"The most welcomed, most enduring piece of daily mass e-mail in cyberspace."
A free subscription service where you receive a word a day by email. The word will be of interest for one reason or another, And the author, Anu Garg, will keep you enthralled with his explanations and etymologies. If you love words, this is for you. And an added value is the daily Thought For The Day: insightful, erudite and illuminating.