Teaching in the Digital Age: Making Technology Work for You in the Classroom
Teaching in the Digital Age: Making Technology Work for You in the Classroom “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”– Socrates In 2025, that quote perfectly captures the evolution of the classroom. Teaching without technology today is like using a landline […]
How to Plan and Conduct an Engaging Conversation Class
So, you’re stepping into the classroom, ready to teach a conversation class. You’ve already nailed the first session: expectations were set collaboratively, and together with your learners, you chose 15+ engaging topics to explore. Your classroom rules are clear, and now the real fun begins—getting your students talking. Start with the Essentials: Vocabulary First What’s […]
Embrace the Islamic New Year: A Fresh Start with Arabic Language and Culture
As the UAE prepares to observe the Islamic New Year on June 27, 2025, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the rich tapestry of Islamic history and the Arabic language that binds it. Understanding the Islamic New Year The Islamic New Year, also known as Hijri New Year, marks the migration (Hijra) of Prophet […]
Top 5 Tips for a Successful Culture Change When Relocating (2025 Update)
Whether you’re moving abroad for a global business assignment or seeking adventure in a new culture, adapting to a new country can be both exciting and challenging. In 2025, cultural intelligence and language proficiency are more important than ever. Here are five essential tips to help you navigate culture change and settle into your new […]
Effective Ways to Connect with Your Students
Effective Ways to Connect with Your Students “Good teachers know how to bring out the best in students.” ̶ Charles Kuralt Have you ever wondered why some teachers are more effective in connecting with their students than others? Moreover, how do they sustain the connectivity and maximize the opportunity for the class to create, develop […]
Why Become An ESL Teacher
It is estimated that over 100,000 positions are available for English trainers internationally on an annual basis and research suggests that China and South Korea, alone, hire approximately 1,000 ESL teachers per month. The need for qualified and proficient ESL teachers is growing continuously and that is just one of many reasons to become an […]
Starting Out As A Language Instructor- TESOL, TEFL or CELTA?
Teaching English in a foreign country is one of the best expat jobs. However, teaching English abroad can be quite complicated when you are starting out. There are different programs, courses or job boards or forums, all with the acronyms, including TESOL, CELTA or TEFL, among a host of others. This might leave you even […]
HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY MANAGE LARGER CLASS SIZES
“Each type of class has its own rewards and challenges, whether you are teaching individuals, small classes, large groups of 20 or more. Although, I wouldn’t recommend the last of these for ESL!” Claudia gives us some excellent tips on how to handle larger groups successfully: Although I have been teaching my native tongue for many […]
Learner Spotlight: Mariam A.
This month, we talk to Mariam A. Rahi, an English language teacher with 5 years of experience. She successfully completed the CELTA program with Eton Institute and shares some general thoughts about the program, including what she enjoyed and how it has benefited her teaching career. Watch the video to find out more. “…When […]
How Human Behaviour Influences Learning in the Classroom.
The affective domain is the emotional side of human behaviour; in simple English, how we feel! Three things can affect our learners in the classroom: what they know, how they feel and what they can do. As we’ve talked about before, placement tests are very useful as they give us an indication of what the […]