Teacher Discussion Forums

Hi there, Sally does a great job of giving a super comprehensive list for helping new ESL students. I'd only add to her list to set the student up for 30 min to an hour daily w earphones to listen to simple, easy reader books on tape where the student also has the book to follow along with the read ...

Hi, Simon Says is a fun game to use in practicing common phrases, esp simple commands like "write your name," etc. I also have other games and activities related to your question on my website, some are free downloads at www.bilinguallearner.com Hope this helps! ~~~Like us on our Bilingual Learner F...

Hi Smpace, I taught 4th/5th/6th grade for several years and weekly spellinng quizzes are fine. I also recommend a weekly mini-math quiz to see if students have mastered your objective/s for that week- maybe just 4-5 questions. I always had my kiddos reading a novel as well and would give a weekly qu...

Hi Little Lamb, I have a beginning ESL Diagnostic Test on my website (below) that is appropriate for adults or kids. Check it out and see if it is what you are looking for! Hope this helps, Steph Check our exciting news and promotion in our lastest post on exploring teaching techniques during our up...

Hi LeiXiong, One of my favorite spelling vocabulary activities is to have a stack of index cards with a picture of the word on the front and the word written on the back. Show each student a card picture and if they can spell the word without looking at the back of the card, they get to hold the car...

Hi Little Lamb, I, too, had the exact same problem when I started teaching English abroad. I was never able to find any good diagnostic tests that were free or cheap so I had to just make them up myself, through a lot of trial and error. Thus, I really sympathize with you. You can check at the diagn...

Hi Istari, I find that many of the same warmup activities for kids work just was well for adults. Currently, I like to start my classes by: - reading aloud to the class the date/activities planned for the class while they listen for my pronounciation, then we read it together chorally, then someone ...

Hi Katel, You might try having students complete a non-speaking/non-writing task by following your oral directions. For example, ask them to draw a picture of a banana (or something else simple that anyone can draw easily so you are not assessing their art abilities) and if they draw it correctly, y...

Hi Mgallen, I use games and activities all the time with my elem and middle school students- I find there's no better way to motivate them. You can go to my website below and on the landing page is a free downloadable page of activities that you can use with your elementary students. Good Luck! Ste...