Incorporating reading our free blogs into your professional development is an enjoyable and highly beneficial way to improve your skills. With each post, you’ll expand your knowledge, sharpen your abilities, and deepen your appreciation of the language!
The customer isn’t always right
Is the customer always right? And what does this mean for schools and managers? Here, Gerhard Erasmus explores why the customer actually isn’t always right, and instead puts the focus on being a student-centred organisation.
Back to school? Time to consider teaching with empathy!
Anna Hasper firmly believes that a teachers’ job is so much than teaching a language; it is teaching people. Here, she elaborates on the importance of teaching with empathy and explains how this concept links to building a rapport.
TPRS and how we use storytelling
The idea that comprehensible input is a key component of language acquisition is almost universally accepted by language teachers. Here, Gerhard Erasmus looks at how to use storytelling as a basis for comprehensible input, alongside examples of how he uses it in his school.
Writing end of year reflections- be kind to yourself!
For many of us another school year has just come to an end or is ending soon. One habit Anna Hasper has developed over the years is planning in some time, at the start of summer, to write down her end-of-year reflections. Here, she explains how she takes time to think back and self-reflect, but also why it is important to be kind to yourself.
The man who planted trees
We often wonder if what we do has any effect. Sometimes we get positive feedback, but often we don’t. Here, Gerhard Erasmus looks at the story ‘The man who planted trees’ and draws out some useful lessons for teachers.
IATEFL 2024: Two months on
Immediately after IATEFL each year, the internet is full of reflections on IATEFL. However, this year Gerhard Erasmus decided to wait two months before reflecting, so that he could think about the effect that IATEFL has had on his school and his practice.
Five lessons I have learned from writing materials
Many teachers want to make the transition from teaching to materials writing. Recently, Chiara Bruzzano was asked to co-write a textbook: read her latest post to find out about the five main lessons she has learned from her experience.
Teacher recruitment and retention – A reflection on the LAMSIG PCE
One of the highlights of the year for those who can attend is the annual IATEFL conference. Here, Gerhard Erasmus reflects on the LAMSIG PCE. The theme of the day was teacher recruitment and retention with Andy Hockley and Silvana Richardson.
Why do negative comments stick?
You've just finished your lesson and you felt it was really successful. But one student’s feedback was that ‘your lesson was boring’, and that is the one comment that sticks. Sound familiar? Here, Anna Hasper explores negativity bias, and what we can do to combat it when needed.
The climate crisis – What can educators and school leaders do?
Educators and school leaders have a responsibility to work towards a bright future for their students. That future will not exist without a sustainable planet. But what can we actually do? Gerhard Erasmus explores a few practical ideas to get you started thinking about the climate crisis and implementing sustainability actions.
Is a CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL really still necessary – Part 2
The CELTA and the Trinity CertTESOL have often been considered the ‘gold standard’ in ELT teaching. But is that still the case? In the second of two blogs, Gerhard Erasmus looks at them from an organisation’s point of view, and highlights some of the responsibilities we have towards newly qualified teachers.
Yes. Sorry. No…. I’m saying no!
How many times have you said yes, when you actually want to shout no? We’ve all done it, but learning how to use no can profoundly impact both our teaching and our lives for the better. Anna Hasper delves into why it's crucial at times to say no, why it can be difficult, and some tips to grow the art of refusal.
Is a CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL really still necessary – Part 1
It has long been said that the CELTA and the Trinity CertTESOL are the ‘gold standards’ in ELT teaching. But is that still the case? In the first of two blogs, Gerhard Erasmus considers whether these qualifications still hold value for teachers, whilst Part 2 will explore whether they still hold value for organisations.
I am just one person – Said 7 billion people
We often feel disempowered because it feels like as individuals, we can have very little impact. Here, Gerhard Erasmus challenges that thinking with his own personal reflections, and gives practical suggestions of how educators can get involved within their local communities.
What is your growth focus for 2024?
Have you set yourself any new years’ resolutions at work for the new year? Here, Anna Hasper explores her own growth focus to explain why it is important for our professional growth as educators that we purposefully carve out some time in our busy lives to stop, pause and reflect on our practice.