A snippet of a word search puzzle with three images below of a swimming turtle, a Major Mitchell cockatoo, and a sleeping dingo

Australian animals word search puzzle

This was my first word search puzzle and a hit with every class I have given it to, either as a race within the class or as homework.

Aug 18, 2015 ESL teaching, Puzzles and games

A lantern or statue fell during the Fukushima earthquake - motivation can and often does crumble on long learning journeys

Motivation and language learning

You get all fired up and motivated when you start learning a language, but then your motivation vanishes.

Aug 7, 2015 Learning, Languages

The bay from Mount Hakodate in Japan at sunset with ferries and smaller boats sailing to and from port, the setting sun making the water glisten

30 travel idioms

Even beginners are faced with idioms if they travel to an English speaking country for a holiday. That’s why it’s important to include idioms in all levels of language courses.

Jul 30, 2015 ESL teaching, Conversation prompts

A heron pulls its neck in on a cold day in Kyoto, Japan.

On trigger warnings

Why are some people so vehemently against trigger warnings? I don't get it.

Jul 24, 2015 Chronic illness, PTSD

A bay in Western Australia - Cape Clairault - fine white sand, impossibly blue water and vibrant green grasses on the dunes

50 travel conversation prompts

The most requested topics in a conversation class with my older students is travel. Making the second or third lesson in a course about travel helps the students feel more comfortable with each other and improves speaking confidence.

Jul 23, 2015 ESL teaching, Conversation prompts