Helen Franks’ Post

🌍📖 Exploring Setting & Conflict in "If I Ever Get Out of Here" – An MYP English Language Acquisition Lesson 📚✨ This week in 7th grade, our MYP English Language Acquisition students delved into setting and conflict as key elements of the narrative arc in Eric Gansworth’s powerful novel, If I Ever Get Out of Here. 🎤🛤️ 🔍 The Learning Focus: Students identified the setting (time, place, and atmosphere - The Tuscarora Rez, NC, USA) to understand how it shapes the characters' experiences and struggles. We explored internal vs. external conflicts, analyzing how protagonist Lewis navigates cultural, personal, and societal challenges while trying to find his identity and place in the world. 🌐 💡 Through class discussions, small group analysis, and guided reading activities, students: - Connected setting to the emotional and psychological states of the characters. - Analysed how the conflicts drive the plot forward, and how they reflect broader themes such as identity, community, and belonging. 📚 Why it matters: This lesson fosters critical thinking, encourages empathy, and helps students make personal connections to the text, all while enhancing their language acquisition skills. It’s not just about reading—it’s about understanding why the story matters, who the characters are, and how they overcome obstacles. 💪 Looking forward to diving deeper into this beautiful narrative with our students as we continue to explore the themes of resilience and self-discovery as the main character, Lewis, fights prejudice against Native American culture. 🌟 #MYP #EnglishLanguageAcquisition #MiddleSchool #Reading #IfIEverGetOutOfHere #LiteratureAnalysis #StudentEngagement #TeachingLiteracy #ConflictInLiterature #EducationalGrowth

Decibel This is one of my more enjoyable teaching term. Back to my Alma mater teaching English Language to Sec 2 and 3 classes. I’ve been to all girls school to deliver enrichment programmes, and generally they are attentive, participative and not disruptive. But this is the first time I had to teach the syllabus regularly to my 2 classes over a term. I’ve been fortunate that they are the 2 better classes, so it’s a huge bonus in terms of not having dealing with classroom management such as misbehaviour, lack of attention, noise. At times, the more well behaved ones would help me shush the noisier ones so I could teach:) Because I was generally a hardworking and respectful student, I placed that expectation when I do my delivery across schools. Most times, it does not happen. I attribute it to younger students, mixed gender and generally less focused generation. And I do get affected when there is a lot of noise, both literal and figurative. Of course, girls tend to be sensitive and hence there could be a different set of issues. But again I was fortunate these did not surface here. I love languages, so there was that motivation to deliver the content from spoken interaction, listening comprehension, comprehension to drama to these girls. Though I found the exam question style to be very different and tougher than my time, I was a tad disappointed that they did not score as well, given they were the better classes. I think it could be due to the general lack of listening skills across the younger generation nowadays. And perhaps what the HOD, who did not come from an IJ background, observed, a sense of haughtiness🤭 I do get it that coming from an all girls school, we may carry that aura. Though I would add, the confidence to speak up. Last week, we had a whole Sec 2 cohort in the hall attending an external vendor Shakespeare programme. And they were not noisy at all. I shared this observation to another teacher and she says this is normal. So I reckon the comfortable decibel level I enjoyed in my 2 regular classes is not just pure luck, it’s actually a given across the school when it calls for it:) #englishlanguage #allgirlsschool #teaching #reflections

We're almost at the end of our first semester and July is always a good moment to think about the coming term and getting ready for new teaching opportunities in 2025. With this in mind, we've created three brand new courses for English language teachers who want to develop specific teaching skills: 1 - Unlocking the Teaching of Pronunciation at All Levels- 19th July (4 hours) 💻Synchronous/online (run by Paulo Machado) 2 - Boost Your Teaching Skills- 23rd-26th July (30 hours) 👥Face-2-Face (run by Magali Pantoja & Claudia Oliveira) 3 - How to Teach Grammar More Effectively- 26th July (4 hours) 💻Synchronous/online (run by Paulo Machado) All courses faciliated by either Valéria Benévolo França or Thiago Hime But you may ask yourself, why take a Teacher Development course at Raise D Bar? 🎯You'll learn with highly experienced and top teacher educators, who are highly recognised in the field 🎯You'll have a chance to share and collaborate with colleagues on the course 🎯You'll start the 2nd school term with new skill sets & expertise, adding value to your CV (certificates given on all courses)* For further course details, fees and registration click on this link: https://lnkd.in/dQpvV9Mn Sign up now and we look forward to seeing you all very soon! * Full attendance required for certificates to be awarded #EnglishTeaching #TeacherTraining #ELT #TeacherDevelopment

🌍✨ Unlocking the Power of Language! ✨🌍 As an English teacher, I have the incredible privilege of guiding students through the rich tapestry of language and life. Every day in the classroom feels like stepping into a world of endless possibilities. From the moment a student hesitates, grappling with a new concept, to that exhilarating breakthrough when they articulate their thoughts with confidence—each step is a reminder of why I love what I do. I strive to cultivate a space where exploration and creativity flourish. We tackle everything from timeless themes to modern issues. One of the most rewarding aspects? Witnessing the transformation that occurs when students realize that language is not just a tool for communication, but a gateway to understanding the world around them. The connections they build—across cultures, ideas, and perspectives—are truly inspiring. What stories or experiences have shaped your journey in learning or teaching languages? #EnglishTeaching #LanguageLearning #Education #Literature #TeachingPassion #StudentGrowth

Thrilled to share that I've completed the Teach English Now! Capstone Project 2 and earned my certificate! This course has deepened my understanding and skills in teaching English effectively. I'm excited to apply these new insights to help learners achieve their language goals. #TeachingEnglish #ProfessionalDevelopment #Education #LifelongLearning

Homework is often debated among educators, parents, and students. However, when it comes to language learning, assigning homework can be crucial in reinforcing skills and enhancing overall proficiency. 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 •Reinforcement: Homework helps reinforce what was learned in class and provides practice. •Skill Development: It encourages students to develop their reading, writing, and speaking skills outside the classroom. •Assessment: Homework allows you to assess students' understanding and progress. •Responsibility: It teaches students to take responsibility for their learning. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 •Keep It Manageable: Make sure assignments are appropriate for their level and not overwhelming. •Variety: Include different types of homework (e.g., writing, speaking, vocabulary practice) to keep it engaging. •Feedback: Provide feedback on their homework to support their learning. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 Incorporating homework into your course can enhance students’ language acquisition and prepare them for future lessons. 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 •Cooper, H. (2001). The Battle Over Homework: Common Ground for Administrators, Teachers, and Parents. Corwin Press. •Stiggins, R. (2005). From Formative Assessment to Assessment for Learning: A Path to Success in Standards-Based Schools. Assessment Training Institute. •Harmer, J. (2007). The Practice of English Language Teaching. Pearson Longman. #ESL #Teaching #ELT #Englishteaching #Teaching #Education

Achieve Exam Success With iLoveReading Educational Magazines! Are you looking for an effective way to help your student or child improve their English language skills and perform better in exams? Our educational magazines are designed to offer an effective and engaging approach to English language learning. Our magazines are packed with interactive activities, engaging model essays, and exercises tailored to different age groups and learning levels. Every issue includes exam tips and learning activities for vocabulary building, reading comprehension, composition writing skills, and oral exam preparation. This comprehensive approach ensures that students can build their skills gradually and confidently and reinforce their understanding and application of English. With age-appropriate content that piques curiosity, students remain motivated and excited to learn. The interactive nature of the exercises also makes them ideal for classroom use or as supplementary learning materials at home. Teachers and parents will appreciate how our magazines align with the latest school curriculum and examination requirements, making them essential learning resources to score well in exams. Give students the edge they need to thrive academically and gain confidence in their English language skills with our magazines! #EducationalResources #TeachingResources #ClassroomResources #Educators

📢 New for 2025: Lecture Effectively in English Responding to feedback from education professionals and trends across our sector, Atlantic is excited to introduce Lecture Effectively in English. Designed for those working in global academic and professional settings, this course meets the growing need for clear, engaging, and impactful lectures in English. As institutions strive to create diverse and inclusive learning environments, strong language and communication skills have become essential. Many educators have shared the challenge of presenting complex ideas to multilingual audiences or adapting lecture styles to connect with international students and colleagues. This course provides practical strategies to bridge these gaps—empowering educators to present with clarity, create dynamic lectures, and drive meaningful discussions in any classroom or conference room. Join us to gain the tools you need to confidently engage diverse audiences in today’s globalized education landscape. https://lnkd.in/gPbCfafm

🌟 Exciting News for English Language Teachers! 🌟 I recently discovered an incredible tool that’s a game changer for simplifying our daily tasks: Brisk Teaching! With this amazing resource, you can: Quickly create questions from any YouTube video in under a minute 🎥 Build engaging Google Sheets presentations 📊 Provide constructive feedback on student work with ease ✍️ Design entire curricula tailored to your students' needs 📚 And the best part? You can try it out with a 15-day free trial, making it a risk-free investment in your teaching toolkit! After the trial, it’s available at a reasonable price. If you're looking to save time and reduce your workload, I highly recommend giving Brisk Teaching a try. It’s the perfect solution for those of us striving to create a more dynamic learning environment while maintaining our well-being. Let’s embrace tools that enhance our teaching and give us that much-needed break! 💼✨ #ELT #EdTech #TeachingTools #BriskTeaching #Efficiency #ProfessionalDevelopment

Let's talk about transforming your student's basic English skills ideally suited for everyday conversations into rich academic language that will help them express themselves more clearly and articulate. Academic language is more than just how we discuss concepts at school, it is the foundation of effective communication on the job, in reading and processing instructions, and in building the confidence of your students to articulate ideas clearly in all areas of life. In this clip from the full workshop on Developing Academic Language, Kelly Reider introduces the impact of academic language in the classroom, unravels its core elements, and begins equipping you with practical ideas to cultivate it in your students, especially your English learners who are looking for your to model how to use the English language. https://lnkd.in/euNvvqDJ ---------------- Want to watch the rest of this workshop -- the part with the strategies? Join the Teacher's Archive and get full access to the rest of this workshop + so many other helpful resources to support you in your journey of teaching English learners.