English Language Teachers (ELT): Under The Covers

What is the Lecture Method? Lecturing is the formal,  teacher-centric, oral presentation of information to a large group of learners. We look at the pros and cons of this approach to teaching as we analyze a boring lecture, an interesting lecture, and a new exciting type of lecture class!  #LectureMethodOfTeachingMeritsAndDemerits #LectureMethodOfTeaching #TheLectureMethodOfTeaching In t...

We look at 5 steps to give clearer classroom instructions proposed by Jim Scrivener in his book 'Learning Teaching'. In language classes teachers have to give instructions for activities in a new language even though their learners may not have a very good command of the language. This means that teachers need to use classroom language which is natural but clear, simple and familiar to learners so...

In this episode of ELT Under the Covers, We dive deep into the evolving world of English language teaching. We explore the key differences between ESOL and TEFL, discuss the intricacies of government qualifications, and tackle the challenges of traditional assessment methods. We also examine the impact of technology in the classroom, including AI and chatbots, and speculate on the future of langua...

What is the Engage Study Activate teaching method? The Engage Study Activate (ESA) teaching method emphasizes active learning in a meaningful context. This method is based on the idea that students learn best when they are actively engaged in the learning process and when they are exposed to authentic and meaningful language use. The ESA method is often used in the Communicative Language Teaching...

What is the Practice Presentation Production Teaching Method? The Practice-Presentation-Production (PPP) teaching method is a method for foreign language instruction that emphasizes the gradual development of language skills through a sequence of activities. This method is based on the idea that language learning is a process that involves practice, presentation, and production. The PPP method is...

What is Communicative Language Teaching? Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) is a teaching method that emphasizes developing learners' ability to communicate effectively in the target language using authentic language in real-life situations. It focuses on holistic development of language skills such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with the goal of producing competent and confident...

What is The Silent Way? The Silent Way is a language teaching method developed by Caleb Gattegno in the 1970s that emphasizes learner autonomy and minimal teacher talk. The method is based on the idea that the teacher should remain "silent" as much as possible, allowing the students to discover language for themselves through visual aids and their own experimentation. This approach aims to foster...

What is the Suggestopedia Teaching Method? Suggestopedia is a 1970s teaching method that uses suggestion and psycho-physiology to create a relaxed and motivating environment for language learning. The method aims to help learners overcome psychological blocks and tap into their unconscious resources for learning. The teacher uses a variety of techniques, including drama, storytelling, and positive...

What is Community Language Learning? Community Language Learning (CLL) is a student-centered teaching method that promotes language learning through interactive communication within a supportive community setting. Developed by Charles Curran in the 1960s, CLL emphasizes the use of the target language to encourage students to actively engage in the learning process. The teacher acts as a facilitato...

What is the total physical response method? Total Physical Response (TPR) is a language teaching method that uses physical movement and gestures to facilitate language learning. It involves the teacher giving commands in the target language, and students responding with physical actions. This method gradually introduces new vocabulary and grammar structures, and focuses on the development of liste...

What is the Audio Lingual Method (ALM)? The Audio-Lingual Method, also known as the Army Method or New Key, is a teaching method for foreign languages that emphasizes the use of repetitive drills and patterns to teach language skills. This method is based on the idea that language learning is similar to habit formation, and that language can be acquired through repetition and practice. The focus o...

What is the Direct Method? The Direct Method, also known as the Natural Method, is a teaching method for foreign languages that emphasizes the use of the target language as the primary means of instruction. This method is based on the idea that language is best learned through direct and natural exposure to the language in use, rather than through translation or analysis of grammar rules. The Dire...

What is the Grammar-Translation Method? It is a traditional approach to teaching foreign languages that emphasizes the translation of texts from the target language into a student's native language. Historically, this method has been used to teach classical languages like Latin and Greek, but it is also used to teach modern languages, especially in academic settings. As part of a GTM curriculum, s...

Nicola began her career as an English Language Teaching MA graduate. She diversified her skills by transitioning to academic management, becoming a published writer of graded readers, and expanding her expertise to copyediting, content writing, and financial investments for teachers. Find her at:  https://simpleenglishuk.wordpress.com/about/  https://chilledinvestor.com/  #NicolaPre...

Shannon Felt is a teacher, CELTA/DELTA trainer, and teacherpreneur who co-founded TEFL Horizons. She manages a blog, conducts webinars, and provides online certification courses for English teachers. Shannon also hosts the "Expand Your Horizons" podcast. #TEFL #TESOL #ELT Check out more: ✔ Teacher Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXsBOoTKZz76OWuCuYZnCQRJfjWtrTrKC ✔ Explanation, A...

Bruno is an experienced English teacher and trainer for 25+ years, conducting research in Teaching Methods, Language Education, and Didactics at Katholieke Hogeschool VIVES in Belgium. He authored EFL coursebook series for Van In publishers: Breakaway, Takeaway, and High Five, and writes articles, tweets (@BrunoLeys), and blogs #TEFL #TESOL #ELT Check out more: ✔ Teacher Interviews: https://www.yo...

EduTuber OG Mark Kulek runs a hugely popular Youtube channel  @MarkKulek  that focuses on speaking practice videos for younger learners. He also produces an array of English language learning materials that you can find on his website MarkKulek.com, along with teaching teachers at a university in Japan.  #markkulekesl #Edutuber #MarkKulek Check out more: ✔ Teacher Interviews: https:...

 @EnglishwithLucy  is a British Council innovation award winning edutuber who runs a popular English language learning channel on YouTube. With over 8 million subscribers and 318 million views, the channel offers a wide range of engaging videos on grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversation skills. https://englishwithlucy.co.uk/ #TEFL #TESOL #ELT Check out more: ✔ Teacher I...

Russell Stannard is a British teacher and author known for his expertise in technology-enhanced language learning. He developed the website "Teacher Training Videos", which offers free video resources for language teachers. Stannard has authored several books, including "Computer-Aided Language Learning" and "Using Video in Language Teaching". He is also a frequent presenter at international confe...

Nik Peachey is a freelance writer, teacher trainer, and consultant who specializes in digital publishing and online course development. He has worked worldwide as a teacher, trainer, and project manager since 1992. Nik was previously the Global Head of Learning for Macmillan's online English school EnglishUp from 2014 to 2016. In 2016, he won his second British Council Award for Innovations (ELTon...

Doctor Jean-Pol Martin established the Learning By Teaching method (German: Lernen durch Lehren - LDL) for students to learn by teaching their peers. The method became widely used in Germany in secondary education, and in the 1990s it was further formalized and began to be used in universities as well, and has spread to other disciplines and other countries. Find him at https://jeanpol.wordpress.c...

Mary is a Trinity College London accredited English Teacher, currently pursuing a Master in Technology-Mediated Language Teaching and Learning and a Cambridge Delta Mod 2 course at the same time along with running an online teaching business and Youtube channel. She has been working in the International Education industry for many years, having held different roles in Language Schools around the w...

Anita Derecskei is an experienced English teacher, teacher trainer, Cambridge speaking examiner, and materials writer with a passion for learner autonomy and the use of technology in education. She has taught in various contexts, including general and business English, ESP, EAP, and to teenagers and kids, in Hungary, the UK, and Spain. As part of her role in teacher development at Preply, she trai...

Hugh Dellar is an English language teacher and teacher trainer with over twenty-five years’ experience in the ELT field. He is the co-founder of  @lexicallab9848  , which provides English language and teacher training. He has delivered training sessions in over 20 countries on topics such as the nature of English as a lingua franca, the uses and abuses of corpora, approaches to teaching...

Steve Krajewski is an experienced freelance English Language Teacher skilled in English language teaching, fluency development, vocabulary learning, and English for Academic Purposes (EAP). He has a Master's degree in English Language Teaching and is an avid writer and blogger at englishcoachonline.com/blog. Steve has also developing Komified, a mobile app for English language learners stuck on th...