English Toolbox Tips

We've created a page that explains why buying English Toolbox exercises can save you time, money and aggravation when compared to some "free" EFL sites. For best viewing results, copy and paste this URL into a new browser address window:

http://www.englishtoolbox.com/difference.html

Labels: EFL, teaching English, TEFL

A school district in India tries to improve it's students' language skills via alternate-day linguistic immersion: details here.

Labels: EFL, teaching English, TEFL

Some in Scandinavia fear it is, especially in business and academic publications. Details here.

Labels: EFL, teaching English, TEFL

The subject of our contest this week was using audio in the classroom, pro and con. Quite a few respondents bemoaned those who rely too much on the cassettes or CDs provided with some well-known textbook series: "... that's not teaching, that's just listening!" was one typical reply. Others said that using too much audio material was "lazy" on the part of the teacher. Mario P. in Palermo, Sicily, is anything but lazy: he uses a software program to record audio from internet radio. Mario scans stations from all over the world to get a range of accents, records snippets, then plays them for his students to help them with listening comprehension. We will provide the link for the software to anyone who writes us; in the meantime, we are happy to provide Mario with five free English Toolbox credits!

For our next contest, tell us how you keep in touch with family and friends while living overseas. Do you use a phone card, or Skype, or e-mail or IM (or a combination of all)? The most interesting reply will earn the sender five free English Toolbox credits, even if s/he does not currently subscribe. Send your contributions to info@englishtoolbox.com by 30 June.

Labels: EFL, teaching English, TEFL

The subject of our contest this week is giving feedback: when, where and how. Most wrote to say they gave feedback instantly as soon as a mistake was made; one mentioned that he'd had to adjust to teaching in Europe (where feedback is expected) from teaching in Asia (where it can sometimes cause a loss of face for the student). However, our favorite reply came from Marty B. in Lisbon, Portugal. Marty gives feedback on-the-spot, but he doesn't speak: he raises a small red flag. The student is then given a chance to self-correct before Marty provides the correct answer. "Everybody here is football-mad," says Marty, "and so they completely understand getting a red flag!" Clever, sir: you’ve "scored" five free English Toolbox credits!

For our next contest, we would appreciate you telling us if and how you use audio in your classes. Do you play cassette tapes or CD’s that come with standard workbooks? Do you record any native-English materials from television or radio (e.g., CNN news reports)? Do you download podcasts? The most creative application of audio -- or the best reason not to use it -- will garner the sender five free English Toolbox credits, even if s/he does not currently subscribe. Send your contributions to info@englishtoolbox.com by 15 June.

Labels: EFL, teaching English, TEFL