Teaching Creative Writing

Often students see creative writing as a vehicle for expression rather than as an opportunity for teaching and learning So how does a teacher achieve the latter while encouraging the former and avoiding conflict? And what is "creative writing" anyway"? Does it really mean anything goes?

Teaching IB Commentary - Language

IB a written comparative commentary where one or often both passages are non-literary. While the passage sources will be different, commentary and comparative commentary skills are easily learnt. A simple method and accompanying checklist will prove invaluable to teacher and student alike.

Teaching IB Commentary - Literature

IB Language A (Lit) students must produce a commentary on a literary extract, one written and one oral. Language A (Lit /Lan) must produce an oral literary commentary and a written comparative commentary. While the passage sources may be different, commentary skills are easily learnt and a simple method and accompanying checklist will prove invaluable to teacher and student alike.

English Language and the study thereof

To be honest, English teachers teach three distinct but related subjects: the use of English, the study of English Literature and the study of English Language. Far too frequently, English teachers are prepared in the first two of these, but they have at best a passing knowledge of the third. The study of English language includes dialects, advertising and commercials, the language of power and so on. A knowledge of semantics, sociolinguistics, pyscholinguistics, philology inter alia is invaluable and will unlock English to teacher and student alike.

Teaching Fantasy Writing

From Narnia to Harry Potter to Middle Earth, fantasy writing is popular amongst students. Yet writing fantasy is not as easy as it appears. Too often, teachers follow a "deep end" approach and results are disappointing. Simple steps and story prompts can produce some wonderful pieces, while providing excellent teaching and learning opportunities.

Oral Activities and Assesments in the Classroom

Oral activities are not just for the language class. Unfortunately, few non-language teachers are trained in oral work. Many of their lessons are not as effective as they could be, while few provide valuable assessment opportunities. In addition, many non-language teachers may feel unprepared for or intimidated by oral activities. They do not use them to their full effect, and do not use them to provide alternative (read "whole student") assessment data. Oral activities can be rigorous, effective and above all, very teacher-friendly.

Using Small Group Discussions

Small Group Discussions should not be restricted to language classes. They are a quick, effective and teacher-friendly method of exploring new content, exploring material which has already been seen and checking understanding.

Using Pairwork

Pairwork should not be restricted to language classes. It is a quick, effective and teacher-friendly method of exploring new content, exploring material which has already been seen and checking understanding.

Teaching Macbeth

Teaching Shakespeare's great tragedy Macbeth involves more than just introducing students to great literature. It also involves considerations of classical tragedy, Elizabethan world view, Renaissance theater, the nature of the drama, early modern English and of course universal themes of what it is to be human - inter alia. It should be a wonderful experience for all. Too often, it becomes an unwelcoming grind.

First-time tutor or tutoring problems?

Tutoring can appear a quick and easy way to earn some cash, but it is not so quick nor easy. If you are considering becoming a tutor, or you are already a tutor and want to improve, or you want to start a tutoring business, you should consider a set of preliminary questions if you are to succeed.

Teacher Appraisal and Evaluation

Assessing a teacher's performance for appraisal (development, support, career progression) is not the same as doing so for contractual reasons (termination, promotion, salary enhancements). While overlap exists, many problems in schools and much of what contributes to the current public debate is due to the blurring of the distinction between the two.

A Sample Common Core lesson

Teaching and learning is context-dependent, thus who, where and when matter and standard or one-size-fits-all or textbook-driven lessons are not appropriate. Common Core forces teachers to plan lessons and to take into account who they teach, what their students know, what they are like and so on. Yes, Common Core forces a significant change for many teachers and in many schools.