English Toolbox Tips

Last time, we asked if you thought it was a good idea to socialize with your students. No one who wrote in objected, and most said that they often got together outside of class for drinks, meals, language exchange or sports. However, Henry W. in São Paulo, Brazil, said that he had a firm rule against joining his students in the cafeteria where he works as an in-company trainer: "I need a bit of time alone to collect my thoughts, and I believe that they need to have the freedom to chat together in their own language without feeling the need to include me and limiting themselves to only what they can express in English. Lunchtime with your co-workers is a time to gossip, talk about sports, bitch about work, etc., and I don’t want to take that period of relaxation away from them." Nicely put, Henry: you get five free credits from English Toolbox!

For our next contest, tell us how you track your classwork and homework assignments. Do you use any special software, a written journal, or just keep a list on your PC? Send your methods via e-mail to info@englishtoolbox.com by 10 October, and we’ll pick the most interesting one and post it here. The winner will receive five free English Toolbox exercises, even if s/he isn’t a subscriber!