Wednesday 15 August 2012

Endangered Species - TEFL Global Resources

Endangered Species Resource - The Mountain Gorilla





Watch this short video from Explore and list some of the similarities between humans and gorillas?

http://explore.org/videos/player/986-human#ooid=I4YjRrMTo9KK5xGVC6gcATOZP0ReCaHG

If Mountain Gorilla's are of interest to you there are some further links on the TEFL Global Communication Resources Page.  There is also a formatted research sheet which you can download or print.


Support the Bamboo Challenge Grant! - Pandas - explore

Support the Bamboo Challenge Grant! - Pandas - explore

Tuesday 14 August 2012

An Olympian Slideshow


Fantastic Resource - Check out this link!

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/08/13/iconic-olympic-photography_n_1772754.html?utm_campaign=081412&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Alert-uk-culture&utm_content=Photo#slide=more244349

Looking at this sent a cold tingle shuddering through me.  I am sure if you want to follow up after the summer holidays with students this will get them talking.  So much could be created from it and not just sport.  An excellent source of all round inspiration!


  • Who were the students favourite sporting heroes and why?
  • What was their favourite sport?
  • Have they been inspired to try a new sport or something else new?
  • Did they have a favourite British Band - new and old that they enjoyed at the opening or closing ceremony.
  • Did they have a favourite dance or costume from either ceremony
  • A project timeline of British Music - www.dipity.com is great for creating timelines.
  • They could research British History and the evolution from an agricultural to an  industrial to a digital, globalised economy.  This could be made into a presentation collaboratively in chronological order.
  • Favourite British Fashions - they could develop a montage/collage of different fashions from different era's by different fashion designers etc etc.  They could label their freezes.
  • London's Landmarks and Icons (the black cab, the red telephone box, Buckingham Palacet etc etc)
  • Discuss and create a video journal on what they think the legacy of the Olympic Games is after London?
  • Discuss the next Olympics at Rio de Janerio.  What are they looking forward to? What do they think they will be doing?  Where will they be living? etc etc


Absolutely loads of activities could follow on from this amazing slideshow.


Memoirs of VJ Day - A TEFL Global Resource

TEFL Global Resources - Memoirs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ........and Victory in Japan...............



Hiroshima Castle as it looks in present times. Today is VJ Day according to http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/VJ-Day/.  I have compiled a TEFL Global reading comprehension resource which you can find on the TEFL Communicative Resources Page.  

Victory in Japan came at a huge cost to human life. Read and listen to the accounts from survivors of the bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The bombings occurred a month earlier after the Allies had delivered their first ultimatum. 

Listen to the voices of the Japanese people who paid for the war. These are the words that should and need to be heard: http://www.globalpeace.go.jp/en/sound/index.html

Monday 13 August 2012

A Biographical TEFL Global Resource

A TEFL Biographical Resource from a Generation Passed 


The young lady on the left was a member of my family.




What relative do you think she was? Who do you think the other people in the photograph are?



Finally, discuss members of your family and the roles they have played in society and your life.

Sunday 12 August 2012

Ice Breaking Timelines - TEFL Global Resources


Click here to access an excellent timeline resource

If your TEFL students have access to computers this is a slightly different way of preparing information on a new classmate. Get your new students to pair up and interview each other.  They can then project each others personal timelines onto a whiteboard and give a short introduction of each other to the class. The other students may ask questions. Photographs from mobiles could be uploaded.

An excellent ice breaking tool for when term starts in September!

Cathedral Photos -- National Geographic

Cathedral Photos -- National Geographic

Beautiful photographs of some well known cathedrals around the world. Browse through them and enjoy.

If you like choose your favourite photograph and try to describe it. Here are some links to help you with vocabulary.

http://www.buffaloah.com/a/DCTNRY/ch/index.html
http://www.english-for-students.com/Vocabulary-Church.html

TEFL Global Resources For When You Are On The Move

Continue Your English Learning Whilst Travelling



Check out these TEFL global resources from the British Council.  Go to TEFL Applications and Resources on TEFL Global Resources to find 20 new links to resources to practise vocabulary, sounds and pronunciation and grammar.


Tuesday 7 August 2012

Letters of Note: To My Old Master

Letters of Note: To My Old Master

I recommend that you read this.  It says a lot about how life was for the slaves the US in the 1800's and that needs to be remembered.  It is an incredible piece of writing.  The master had obviously been left with nobody to work for him. I am not altogether surprised after the way he had treated his workers.  The writer's attitude is astonishing, she was so loyal and polite to even reply to him let alone think of going back to work for him.

Blog: Of Motherhood and Mercury | Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project

Blog: Of Motherhood and Mercury | Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project

What are your views on eating whale meat that is highly contaminated with mercury?

I Am Inspired - Video, Vocabulary and Grammar Resources

I am inspired...........


I am inspired


http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/xiby-1253162-i-am-inspired by Xiby

Grammar and vocabulary activities can be found at TEFL Grammar Resources and TEFL Vocabulary Resources

Trinidad and Notting Hill -TEFL Carnival Resources

Trinidad and Notting Hill Carnivals

Carnivals are celebrated all around the world mainly after Lent. Notting Hill Carnival always happens in the last Bank Holiday in August.  It is mainly a Carnival of Mas, Music (Steelband and Calypso) and Food.This year it is due to be held on the 26th and 27th August 2012.  Here is a trailer with interviews with a Carnival Arts Designer and some musicians/singers to give you a taste of what it is going to be like.




You can find more Carnival Learning Activities in PDF format on the TEFL Communication Resources.