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How to write a spooky story: tips and tricks for English language students

Halloween is the perfect time to let your imagination run wild and create a spooky story that will send shivers down your readers' spines. If you're a student learning English, or an ESL teacher hoping to inspire and enthuse your students, writing a Halloween-themed story can be a fun way to practice your English skills. In this blog, we'll guide you through the process of writing a spooky story step by step, from brainstorming ideas to polishing your final draft. Let's get started!

Navigating global issues: United Nations topics to spark discussion for English language learners

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. For English language learners, discussing the key issues addressed by the UN can be an enriching exercise that enhances both language skills and global awareness. For United Nations day on 24th October why not use some of the discussion points in this blog to spark meaningful conversations and deepen understanding of these critical topics.

Climate change and environmental sustainability

Climate change affects every corner of the planet. The UN has been actively working to mitigate its effects and promote sustainability. Here are some prompts to spark a conversation on this urgent issue:

Key points to discuss:

The impact of climate change: How does climate change affect different parts of the world? Discuss rising sea levels, extreme weather events and their consequences.
Sustainable practices: What are some sustainable practices individuals and communities can adopt to combat climate change? Consider renewable energy, recycling and conservation efforts.
Global cooperation: How important is international cooperation in addressing climate change? Look at agreements like the Paris Accord and the role of the UN in facilitating these agreements.

Discussion questions:

• How has climate change affected your country or region?
• What can individuals do to reduce their carbon footprint?
• Why is it important for countries to work together to tackle environmental issues?

Global health and well-being

Global health and well-being are vital for sustainable development and international cooperation, underpinning the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here are some ideas to start conversations around this topic:

Key points to discuss:

Health crises: Discuss major health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in managing these crises.
Access to healthcare: What are the challenges to accessing healthcare in different parts of the world? Explore issues like healthcare infrastructure, affordability and availability.
Mental health: Why is mental health an important aspect of overall well-being? Discuss stigma, access to mental health services and the impact of mental health on communities.

Discussion questions:

• How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we think about global health?
• What are the biggest healthcare challenges in your country?
• How can we improve mental health awareness and support?

Ehsan Gorji is an Iranian teacher and educator with 18 years of experience in English language education. He collaborates on various ELT projects with different language schools around the globe. Ehsan currently owns and manages THink™ Languages and also works as a TED-Ed Student Talks Leader.

Learning has always been an interesting topic to explore in the language education industry. Every week, a lot of webinars are delivered on how learning another language could be more successful, lots of articles are written on how to maximize learning, and many discussions take place between teaching colleagues about how they could surprise their language learners with more amazing tasks and games. In our lesson plans, too, we put learners into focus and try to write learning objectives that will benefit them in the real world.