I would like to share one of the ideas that most invigorates and informs me as a teacher. The idea of "Student Created Content" or SCC. I borrow the term from UGC or UCC, "user generated/created content" that is the motor of Web 2.0 and the internet.


What is SCC?

It is an approach that tries to simplify the teaching/learning process and equalize the power relationship that exists between…

It's not easy on the web these days. There is so much and seemingly so little time. The more search engines are perfected, the more social media evolves, the more notifications improve, we still seem way behind and fail at keeping up with "the new". Noise abounds too....

I guess like that marvelous Beckett (Godot) quote, "I can't go on, I'll go on." So for my own community EFL Classroom 2.0, I keep fighting the good…

There are 6 different flash tests which were created by Ridvan B. Sağlam for Globus Language School.  The level of the…

** Not your ordinary, endless list - just what's   
number 1.

…

I've already written many reviews about websites for learning how to type. They are quite handy and also teach students a little English keyboarding at the same time - a vital skill. 

Here's an addition - Letter Bubbles

It isn't too…

I spent a large part of a wonderful day stuck in the car. Thankful, saved by a wonderful interview with Slavoj Zizek, philosopher and iconic social critic. Catch the same interview here.

What I love about him besides him irreverence (laughed like crazy when he said that 50% of the movies he's written essays about and reviewed, he never watched!) has to be his accent. Love it! As a language lover, I love…

We all realise how essential it is for everyone, especially children, to learn to focus on the positive side of their lives. A child who learns to do that from an early age is more content, effective in dealing with challenges, a better friend and partner in life.



Being deeply persuaded of the benefits of boosting positive thinking among our students at a time when everything around them seems to cause the opposite, we have started a…

It is vitally important that we build the skills of digital literacy in ourselves, our families and our students. At this time, when there is so much growth in dependence on the Web as the primary source of knowledge and information, everyone needs to understand how to value and how to interpret what they see online, as well as how to find the best of what is available in efficient ways.



I was fortunate to be an education student at a time when much initial work…

I just finished up my school year, sending off a new group of teachers into the possibility that is teaching / education. This year in my course, my students did some reflective journal writing using my book Zen And The Act Of Teaching.

 I spent many happy afternoons reading their amazing entries about their lives in the trenches (while watching March Madness basketball - got to be…

Higher Ed Faculty,

Would love to have your students act as expert advisors in the next Flat Classroom® Project 12-2 (September - December 2012)! Here is a page that explains more about the idea -> …

My Topics

Teaching EFL A place on the Internet for teachers to share IDEAS about learning and teaching English as a Foreign Language. …

A site run by a French teacher of English with an amazing collection of animations.Here's the link. 

One of my faves can be used as a writing or speaking task, retelling the story behind it.

Downloading allowed.

** Not your ordinary, endless list - just what's number 1.

        The Making Of An Expert

I've been involved in…

If you are looking for support in working with primary-aged students (or even lower secondary) of ESL or EFL, including ways of using "Smartboards", here's a great start to get you going.



I've now compiled the "best of" links for these two categories, and am pleased to offer them to…

Original Post on My Blog

I sent this email today to respond to a posting about a principal who threatened a family with serious consequences if they stood in the way of their son completing a standardised test. The original post is here:…

Original Post on My Blog

I posted the following comments to an excellent article entitled "Teaching Counts" which was written by David B. Cohen on the InterACT blogsite: …

Previously, I've written at length on this topic, on my public blog, comparing the book and the video as teaching / learning tools.  It's a complex issue.

Here, let me lay it on the line and lay out the major reasons why, for language learning and teaching - video is in the…

Wow, time flies - almost spring (where I live) and my courses are winding up. Now making some promises to start blogging again. Been taking a break, much needed but now feel really charged up / rejunvenated and ready for some thoughtful posts about TEFL, Education and the new technological environment we are swimming…

This is just a teaser!  EnglishCentral will be launching courses soon (next week) and want you to get prepared. A fantastic and simple way to learn or teach English through professionally curated content and learning material.  Teachers simply select a course and then invite students / track students. 

Here's some information and stay tuned for a full…

You know, as a teacher, I'm often bouyed most by the great moments between me and my students, by the compliments from supervisors, by the feeling of self-satisfaction at completing a lesson as planned, and by the 100% marks my students sometimes achieve.



However, when I pause to reflect, I realise that there's MUCH more to teaching and learning than success, regardless of how alluring and intoxicating it seems. When I'm truly honest with myself as a learner and a teacher, I have…