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  • A group of students  hugging a teacher
    • Teaching trends and techniques

    How to use praise to motivate your students

    By Joanna Wiseman
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Praise in the classroom is a valuable resource that every teacher has in their toolbox. It can encourage struggling students and reward learners who have been studying diligently and working hard on their language skills. But not all types of praise have the same effect. Let’s take a look at differ...

  • Children running outside together with balloons
    • Young learners

    5 quick and easy ESL games for teaching young learners

    By Joanna Wiseman

    Can we play a game? How many times have you been asked this in class? And how often do you say Yes? Young learners love to play games, and if you choose the right ones, they can have a hugely beneficial impact on their learning. As well as being fun, games can provide learners with necessary langua...

  • Two young girls sat at a school desk reading a book
    • Young learners
    • Teaching trends and techniques

    8 first lesson problems and solutions for young learner classes

    By Joanna Wiseman

    The first class with a new group of young learners can be a nerve-wracking experience for teachers, old and new. Many of us spend the night before thinking about how to make a positive start to the year, with a mixture of nerves, excitement, and a desire to get started. However, sometimes things don...

  • A class of students sat at desks in a classroom looking at their teacher stood at the front
    • Language teaching

    5 ways to reinspire your students after the summer holidays

    By Joanna Wiseman

    The new academic year is here and we're getting ready to head back to the English classroom. Yet, after a long and relaxing summer holiday, some students may feel unmotivated to return to the same class routine, especially if they have been learning English for several years. So, how can we reinspir...

  • A child sat at a desk with a pen in hand, looking up at their teacher and smiling
    • Language teaching
    • Teaching trends and techniques
    • Inclusivity and wellbeing

    Dyslexia and ELT: How to help young learners in the classroom

    By Joanna Wiseman

    When you’re teaching English to young learners, you might find that there are a few students in your class who are struggling. But sometimes it can be hard to tell why. Is it because their language level is low? Or are they finding classroom work difficult because of a general cognitive difference, ...

  • A teacher sat in a classroom pointing and smiling,  surrounded by children sat on the floor
    • Language teaching

    5 ways to keep students attention in class

    By Joanna Wiseman

    Do you ever find it hard to keep students focused and on task? Young learners get easily distracted and it can be hard to find ways to keep them engaged. So what can we do to get, and more importantly, keep our students’ attention? Here are our five top tips. 1. Plan a range of activities Young l...

  • a young boy and a young girl sat at desks in a classroom, smiling and looking at another child in front of them
    • Teaching trends and techniques
    • Language teaching

    Five ways to promote friendship in your English language classroom

    By Joanna Wiseman

    There is a strong link between well-being and friendship, which is just as accurate for children as it is for adults. Studies have found that children with stable friendships are happier, more able to cope with stress, and have higher self-esteem. Moreover, school friendships impact academic achieve...

  • Children in a classroom with their hands up
    • Young learners
    • Language teaching

    8 first lesson problems for young learners

    By Joanna Wiseman

    The first class with a new group of young learners can be a nerve-wracking experience for teachers old and new. Many of us spend the night before thinking about how to make a positive start to the year, with a mixture of nerves, excitement, and a desire to get started. However, sometimes things don’...