Last week, my daughter graduated high school. Phew! After 12 long years it is finally over! There were some days I never thought it would happen but I’m so proud that she made it. Now the fun begins – Schoolies celebrations and parties, and for my daughter, the beginning of a gap year. Many teens …
What are soft skills and how do they help teens succeed after school? Read More »
What is a ‘modern’ education? For the students of today, a ‘modern’ education revolves around technology – plain and simple. From a very young age, even in preschool, children are exposed to some form of technology and begin to learn the skills that they need to use computers, I-pads and the like. However, I would …
Take a moment to think about this famous quote. Consider your own schooling – what did you learn that you don’t use anymore? Do you find yourself doing things differently to how you were taught in school? For me, personally, the processes and skills I learned in school have become embedded in everyday practice – …
Education consists mainly in what we have unlearned – Mark Twain Read More »
Getting your teenager to read more books can be a rewarding endeavour that fosters their intellectual growth and love for literature. Here are some strategies to encourage them to read more: Lead by Example: Show your teenager that you value reading by setting a good example. Read books, magazines, or other reading materials yourself, and …
Shortly after I graduated as a high school English teacher in 1995, I bought this book: I can’t recall why – maybe I was looking for books to include in my class library or as suggestions for a new class text. Now, almost 30 years later, I’ve set myself a challenge to find some of …
Homeschooling has been on the rise in recent years for several reasons. While the specific motivations for homeschooling can vary from family to family, here are five common factors contributing to its increasing popularity: Customised education: Homeschooling allows parents to tailor their child’s education to their individual needs and learning styles. This customisation can lead …
I love this time of year, don’t you? The smell of new books, the excitement of shopping for new school clothes or uniforms, packing your bag for the first day. While these are all positive feelings associated with getting ready for a new school year, sometimes the start of school can cause anxiety, for both …
5 Tips to Start the School Year Off On the Right Foot Read More »
As a teacher I was often asked, ‘What makes a good student?’ My answer was simple: A good student is someone that shows up to class, listens, does their schoolwork and asks for help when they need it. The best students, in my opinion were motivated to help themselves. They weren’t necessarily the most academic …
10 Ways to Foster Intrinsic Motivation in Teenagers Read More »
Teaching can be a demanding and stressful profession, so it’s crucial for teachers to prioritize self-care to maintain their well-being and effectiveness in the classroom. As teachers in the northern hemisphere look to return to school in about a month’s time, we continue our blog theme for teachers with this post: 5 Self-Care Tips for …
Teachers are busy people – they don’t always have time for themselves, let alone trying to plan lessons around their home commitments, children, pets or partner! So, any resources out there to help them can only be a good thing, right? Sometimes these resources are out-of-the-box and this is fine for most subjects. But there …
It’s summer vacation time in the northern hemisphere and families all over Europe and the USA are sweltering! 🙁 – just awful! If you’ve got your kids inside to escape the heat, you’re probably wondering what to do that doesn’t involve a device? Why not try puzzles? I’m not just talking jigsaw puzzles (although these …
5 Reasons Why Solving Puzzles Makes Kids Smarter Read More »
One of the most common questions I get asked as an English Language teacher, is what students can do to help get ahead and improve their fluency in English. When I was teaching face-to-face before the pandemic, I noticed two types of students in my classes: those who just turned up and only answered when …
5 Tips to Help English Language Learners Succeed in Exams Read More »
Five fun activities to boost your child’s academic skills over the summer break.
This morning, I received a book that I ordered online, ‘Tales from Shakespeare’ by Charles and Mary Lamb. Written by brother and sister and originally published in 1807, it is a retelling of some of Shakespeare’s most famous plays in language and form accessible to young readers. As Charles and Mary wrote in the Preface, …
Five Reasons Why Kids Should Still Study Shakespeare (Even if Only a Little!) Read More »
I have to admit something to my readers: I never studied Geography at school! :0 I came to it very late in my career as a teacher – only 2 years ago! When I did my teaching degree, History and English were my majors, but if I could have my time again, I’d actually choose …
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