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[mushroomyakuza]

Hi guys

I've not that long ago come back from working Japan for two years. I am CertTESOL qualified, but feel while I've developed my soft skills a lot, my hard skills have kind of gone to mush, along with my brain. There wasn't a lot of focus on the hard grammar, phonics and all the rest of it where I was working, instead focusing on conversation skill.

It's been a long time since I've had to apply the same skills I did on my course, and I'm wondering if anyone has any tips on how to best refresh my memory and/or improve my general level of knowledge regarding ESL theory?

Apologies if this is overly vague and broad. Just any advice for getting my head back in the game a little bit and one or two textbooks etc. maybe to enhance my knowledge? Much appreciated.

[santi84]

Good question I am in a similar boat - I haven't taught in a classroom since early 2010 and have spent the last 2 years at home with babies. I make sure to stay active here on Dave's ( ) as well as spend occasional nights re-reading my old books (ranging from hardcore grammar for teachers to basic lessons for learners). I have a nice Larsen & Celce-Murcia textbook (thick navy blue brick, can't remember the title offhand) which I go back to every few months.

I'm not sure what sort of training you did (I did a TESL-related degree so I'm unfamiliar with the specifics of post-BA TEFL certificate programs) but just re-reading whatever theory was discussed there, as well as other updated TESL theory books is always a great idea. I have a large library of books that probably cost a fortune but they've been a great tool and are well-worth it.