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From ELT Teacher to published ELT Writer

From ELT Teacher to published ELT Writer

Tips for getting your materials published! Last week, Jim Fuller invited me onto one of his wonderful Sponge Chats. Jim’s questions got me thinking again about my own journey into ELT publishing. I’ve already written a post on getting started in writing materials, from ELT Teacher to ELT Materials Creator , so here I thought I’d share my thoughts on how to get those materials published. Get to know your local publisher reps. Don’t forget the rep! These are the…

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From ELT Teacher to Teenage Teacher

From ELT Teacher to Teenage Teacher

Lessons my teenage learners have taught me! After years in academic management, going back into the teen classroom was an eye opener. Teenage learners had changed; they were somehow more sophisticated, more aware and much more ready to take on the world. I soon realised that this would be a steep learning curve. Here are some of the things my teenage teachers taught me.   1 Show an interest in our lives and tell us about yours too! One of…

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From ELT Teacher to YL Teacher

From ELT Teacher to YL Teacher

With my CELTA in hand, I was ready for my first teaching job. My timetable included 9 – 12 year-olds. No sweat! I’d worked on play schemes for children and so I imagined teaching them would be the same. How wrong I was! All my new CELTA techniques just didn’t work and I was soon shouting for help. Here are some of the things I wish I’d been told before I started: 1 Learn your students names and use them!…

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From ELT Teacher to ELT Teacher Trainer

From ELT Teacher to ELT Teacher Trainer

While we were all struggling to move online in March 2020, Rachel Jeffries, Pedagogical Lead at Cambridge University Press Spain led a wonderful webinar on Assessment and Primary School learners. Rachel began the session by introducing us to Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle, encouraging us to place the Why? at the centre of everything we do. Now let’s fast forward to my recent work with a group of pre-CELTA English language teachers. They work in a private language school and their…

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From ELT Teacher to ELT Materials Creator

From ELT Teacher to ELT Materials Creator

I’d love to create my own materials. How can I get started? After a teacher messaged me to say, “I’d love to be able to create my own materials. How can I get started?”, I posted the question on LinkedIN. The post had over 2,000 views and some very valuable comments. Here’s a summary of the suggestions. follow ELT Professionals who regularly upload worksheets and lesson plans; Nik Peachey, Peter Clements, Harry Waters or Silvina Mascitti for starters. Silvina also recommends freeed.com for materials. sign up for training:…

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From ELT Teacher to ELT Teacher

From ELT Teacher to ELT Teacher

Aunque no lo parezca, hemos estado muy a gusto contigo. Although we may not show it, we’ve been really happy with you. No, the second ‘ELT Teacher’ in the title isn’t a mistake. I’ve worked as an ELT professional since 1989. I’ve been a teacher, senior teacher, young learners coordinator, Director of Studies, Director of Education and Director of Education & Operations and in my other life I also write coursebooks. So, when one of the publishers approached me with…

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From ELT Teacher to Events Organiser

From ELT Teacher to Events Organiser

On 7 May 2021, FECEI announced that the Ñglish Conference had won the TOP award for ‘la Buena Metodología / Satisfacción de Clientes‘ (Sound Methodology / Client Satisfaction). Here’s the post I wrote in February, shortly after the conference. Ñglish Conference 6 February 2021 At 15.05, Saturday 6 February, six tired IH Coordinators* met around a Zoom table. ‘I’m starving – let’s make this quick!’ said one. ‘What a shame we can’t have lunch together.’ replied another. ‘We will, one…

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