Let's talk about money!

Next week I'm going to start a new unit with one of my students and the topic of the lesson is "money". I thought about presenting the subject through a video or something but then a part of that famous song came to my mind: "...let's talk about money, honey...". I remembered I had bought one of Simply Red's DVDs and there I could find that song, which for my surprise is called "Money's too tight to mention". The lyrics are really interesting because they bring the theme of the lesson and can also be used as a conversation activity right before the beginning of the unit. Nice!

I can't "live" without my CD player!

In the past, for a few months, I took a private French course. The course was okay, the teacher was a native speaker, but there was no audio during our lessons due to the price of the CD - I remember it was reeeeeallly expensive at that time. Anyway, something was missing. And, in my opinion, something really important was missing. Even though the teacher was a native speaker,as I already said, I felt the necessity of repeating conversations, listening to certain exercises, and so on. We simply didn't have that and I'm pretty sure that my development would have been better (actually, I still can't speak French at all) if I had had the chance to listen and listen and listen...As private teacher I have always used a CD player in class - repetitions, listening exercises, music, etc. Audio is something we cannot forget to work with in class. It doesn't only improve our students' abilities but it also makes the class more dynamic and lively. See you tomorrow, my dear colleague!

Something new for my mini school!

When I see this kind of game I get crazy! Those card games are cheap (R$ 9,99) and can be used in class as a great extra activity. This one, for example, may be used in order to practice our students' vocabulary. There are always some changes that are necessary to be made so that we may play the game during the lesson. "Slam" is a card game in which we have to form a word and the others have to change it according to the cards they've got in hands. So, for example, the first word is "BALL", it can be changed to "CALL", or "TALL", and so on. Have fun!

Enthusiasm is contagious!

After a short "vacation" I started teaching again two weekes ago and let me tell you...I came back feeling I was someone new! When we're teaching it's amazing to realize how our enthusiasm can change a class completely! Even the most difficult or boring subject may become the funniest moment. As a teacher, just like you, I've already tried hard not to show my student how tired I was feeling that day, or how sad I was because of a personal problem, but those things can affect (even a little) our performance during a lesson. Enthusiasm is everything! Showing our students that we're there, having a great time is a wonderful way to get them really motivated and happy as well. I've been away, colleague, but I'm back. Hope to see you soon!