Dr Shannon Lewis

Lewis believed in a different approach to that of teaching English as a set of grammar structures into which vocabulary could be placed. He shifted the emphasis through 180 degrees, suggesting that the basis of language should be ‘lexis’, i.e. groups of words which are naturally put together (collocations). By learning about the lexical chunks of language these could be used for real communicative tasks rather than striving for grammatical mastery.  [Read more]

Vast tracts of unspoilt wilderness make Finland a top destination for trekkers and those seeking to get back to nature. The best remedy to bones chilled by the snow and ice is a nice long spell in a sauna; however, if you are going ‘native’ then during your sauna you need to go and have a roll in the snow or take a plunge in an ice hole in a nearby lake. Finland is home to a big hunting, shooting and fishing fraternity, but if this is not to your taste then coastal areas offer some excellent sailing during the season of the midnight sun. Finland has two official languages: Finnish and Swedish, the latter being spoken by about six percent Finland’s population of five million. English is widely spoken, particularly in tourist areas and in the capital Helsinki. Prospects for teachers...  [Read more]

  Here's a teaching idea that focuses on two very specific aspects of the present simple tense, one of which will be making statements about a habit and a routine. The other will be conjugating the verb into the 'he', 'she' or 'it' form. Here we'll present students with a picture. They will see various objects in the picture. Based upon the presence of these objects in someone's room, the students will have to make an observation such as 'She drinks coffee,' 'She plays the guitar,' 'She watches television,' 'She doesn't smoke.' Again, it's very specific used for the 'he', 'she' or 'it' form and habits and routines. At the end of the activity, the teacher will have the pairs or the small groups report back their various findings. Another idea for the present simple tense will be the...  [Read more]

Teaching Styles We all learn in different ways, and similarly, as teachers we tend to have different ways of teaching which come more naturally for us. As teachers, we need to be aware of what our particular style is, but we should then try to adapt the way we teach to fit the needs of our students as well. There are many different categorizations of teaching styles, but rather than discuss the ways styles are categorized, I will simply summarize the ones most commonly referred to. Probably the most traditional one is the direct instruction style. Direct instruction is very teacher-centered, and provides for little if any student-teacher interaction or group interaction. The teacher is the focus of attention and provides all the information necessary for the student to excel in...  [Read more]

  The Republic of Indonesia consists of 17,508 islands, has a population of approximately 230 million people, and is the world's 5th most populated country. This vast country touches the Pacific and Indian Oceans while bridging the continents of Australasia and Asia. The Indonesian Archipelago is 5,200km in length, and is located entirely in the tropics. A culturally and linguistically diverse country, around 500 languages and dialects are spoken by its people. Indonesia is also a scenic country with many stunning beaches and islands, active volcanoes and thick, dense jungle. For many, the main attraction of Indonesia is the lifestyle and customs of its peoples. For those that decide to take a TEFL course in Indonesia, you will experience a colorful, dynamic country with a huge...  [Read more]

Children's Books in the English Classroom What native speaker didn’t have the chance to learn to read with bright colorful pictures and fonts larger than your chubby fingers? You felt like the smartest child in the world when you finished that big 50-page book. You were a super sleuth detective because if you didn’t know what a word meant you could figure it out through the illustrations. You were the fastest reader in the world because you turned the pages so quickly you didn’t even notice there wasn’t that much written on each page. I think our English students should also have this great opportunity to have the same self-esteem building experience. Children’s literature is great pedagogically because it uses a vocabulary appropriate for beginning English learners. Sentence...  [Read more]

  This video covers the difference between 'desert' and 'dessert'. As these two words have a similar pronunciation and spelling, their usage is often confused. This is such a commen mistake made by both native speakers and English learners that we simply have to cover it. The pronunciation of the words is slightly different so most mistakes occurr in writing. Let's take a look at the two words. 'Desert' spelled with one 's' refers to a waterless, dry and empty area. A suitable example would be: Crossing that desert is dangerous. 'Dessert' spelled with double 's', on the other hand, has a very different meaning. It refers to the sweet course usually served at the end of a meal, such as cake or ice-cream. A good example would be: I had some ice-cream for dessert today. Keeping this...  [Read more]

Songs in the Classroom The use of songs in the ESL classroom can be a fun and innovative way of covering a range of English language topics. Songs can be used for vocabulary, grammar, dictation, pronunciation (stress and intonation), phonetics, speaking, writing, listening, integrative skills, and many other ESL points. Furthermore, songs can invite the non-native speaker into the English speaking culture. For instance, pop music gives the learner a taste of what is trendy at the moment. Meanwhile, the lyrics to classic rock songs can give a sense of history and the attitude of the country at the time of recording (for example, “Give Peace a Chance,” John Lennon, 1969). Additionally, children’s songs are crucially important for the young learner as they are an easy way to encourage...  [Read more]

Our TESOL course in Ban Phe, Thailand is validated by the Thai Ministry of Education as is therefore recognized for teaching English in Thailand and also for teaching English worldwide. All of our TESOL courses meet the highest standards and our highly qualified and friendly staff will make sure you have a fantastic experience both during the TESOL program and in your free time. Ban Phe is a quiet and typically Thai fishing village that is situated about 2 hours southeast of Thailand's capital city, Bangkok. Ban Phe is ideally located as it fronts one of the many lovely beaches in the Gulf of Thailand. This friendly and charming seaside town is very Thai in style and thus provides an interesting glimpse into typical Thai lifestyle and culture. Ban Phe is home to a number of superb Thai...  [Read more]

Our course in Arizona is based in the city of Phoenix, the modern and lively state capital. Its location within the boundaries of the Sonoran Desert means the city enjoys a warm and dry climate throughout the year, and it is also ideally situated for enjoying the many amazing national parks to be found in this part of the country. Whether you are a fan of the great outdoors, or prefer more laidback pursuits, you are sure to enjoy your time on our TEFL/TESOL course in Phoenix, Arizona. The modern history of Phoenix began with the founding of the city in the 1860s, and since that time it has grown into the most populous state capital in the whole country. The city continues to grow year on year as thousands of people move here from right across the country in search of a more comfortable way...  [Read more]

Chiang Mai, the capital of North Thailand and once the capital city of the Lan Na Kingdom is the home of the TEFL International course in northern Thailand. Chiang Mai was founded in the thirteenth century, and is one of the oldest cities in Thailand; it’s recognized as having an independent cultural personality it its own rite. Outside the city, Chiang Mai is surrounded by beautiful scenery of mountains, rivers, meadows, waterfalls, forests and valleys, stemming from the foothills of the Himalayas. Chiang Mai offers a different experience for TEFL International TEFL Courses in Thailand.  Many feel that Chiang Mai is an essential part of any journey to Thailand. Located more than 700km northwest of Bangkok, Chiang Mai has in excess of 300 temples, with an impressive 121 within the...  [Read more]

Cape Town is a modern city with a combination of cultures, urban living and natural beauty all dominated by the magnificent Table Mountain National Park. Whether you are into art, food, music, sports or all these things you are going to feel right at home in Cape Town. Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa and is known as the “Mother City”. The region that is now Cape Town was first noted by Portuguese explores in the fifteenth century and the city is great place to explore the history and culture of South Africa. Surrounded by gorgeous natural landscapes, Cape Town is also home to some beautiful cultivated natural spaces such as botanical gardens and public parks. With an abundance of outdoor space it is not surprise that sports are a popular past time in Cape Town and South...  [Read more]

For those who want to teach English as a foreign language abroad, some countries require teachers to have a recognized degree. Without this degree, many potential candidates are considered out of the running for potential positions before they have had the opportunity to even apply. If this applies to you, then Siam Technology College’s International Program, Bachelors Degree in TESOL, is the perfect opportunity. Siam Technology College offers you the chance to work and earn money in Thailand, while working towards your degree in an educational facility fully accredited by the Thai Ministry of Education. We offer the chance to obtain an extremely marketable BA in TESOL + Diplomas in Language Acquisition, Phonology, Morphology and Syntax and TESOL Methodology, with the following unique...  [Read more]

The world's fifth largest country has a great deal to ignite the imagination of the traveller. Tropical rainforests, the Amazon basin, pristine beaches are just what comes with the territory. Once one adds in the people, who are often extremely friendly, and the buzz of the big cities, you can guarantee that you are entertaining the experience of a lifetime. The official language is Portuguese, and the population of one-hundred and seventy millions has plenty of space in the three-point three millions square miles of landmass. Seventy percent of the population is Roman Catholic. Of the remainder there is a significant proportion of evangelical Christians, but also, interestingly, of native animists - those that believe earthquakes, trees, mountains, etc. all have spirits associated with...  [Read more]

Cultural Sensitivity in the Classroom The topic we have decided to address is cultural sensitivity in the classroom. Living in Toronto is extremely different from living anywhere else on this earth. One reason why, is the cultural diversity of Toronto. Even in today’s workforce there is a massive amount of cultural diversity that is why having cultural sensitivity in today’s classrooms should be a huge asset. Canada is a country that is now relying on immigrants coming to our country to help run the economy. It is an extremely good thing that people from different cultures are trained to speak English before they come to Canada or having them take an English learning course once they arrive in the country. By doing this, they are given an equal opportunity in Canada. Luckily we were...  [Read more]