New Year, New Me? I’m not usually one to set New Year’s resolutions, but lately I’ve been thinking it might be time to shake things up - especially when it comes to how I work and how much I take on as a self-employed online tutor. This post dives into what led me to that… Continue reading Time Management: Essential Tips from a Self-Employed Online Tutor
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B1 – Christmas mystery (modal verbs of speculation)
Forget the usual Christmas lesson plans where you talk about your favorite and least favorite gifts🎁, what you enjoy about holiday meals🍴, and all those holiday clichés🎅🏽. Try this Christmas ESL mystery lesson instead - check out a fun Waitrose ad and dive into solving the mystery of the missing Christmas pudding, all while picking… Continue reading B1 – Christmas mystery (modal verbs of speculation)
Christmas-themed C1 speaking
'Tis the season again! Time really flies, doesn't it? So, I've got a fun Christmas gift for all the Cambridge prep teachers out there - Christmas-themed speaking activities for CAE candidates. There's truly nothing better than relaxing after a busy prep time while still getting ready for that exam, all in a festive vibe! I… Continue reading Christmas-themed C1 speaking
B1 – Money Management
Money talks, and so will your students with this engaging B1 money management lesson focused on financial empowerment! Watch a video that highlights the importance of changing spending habits and the benefits of saving money. Follow this with a lively discussion on how to maximize your salary while ensuring there is something left in your… Continue reading B1 – Money Management
A2 – Reading and Writing Part 6 – Christmas Email
We are about to enter the most magical time of the year – Christmas! This season offers immense potential for countless themed lesson plans. For this reason, I would like to propose a Christmas email writing lesson that cleverly encourages students to write emails inviting their friends and coworkers to an office Christmas party. I… Continue reading A2 – Reading and Writing Part 6 – Christmas Email
C1 – Use of English Part 4 – Mastering paraphrasing
While I may not be the biggest fan of Use of English (and I know many of my students feel the same), I firmly believe that mastering it is key to success. CAE Use of English Part 4 involves sentence transformations, which challenge students on their understanding of grammar, collocations, and fixed expressions. A well-designed… Continue reading C1 – Use of English Part 4 – Mastering paraphrasing
Cambridge PET – Speaking Part 3 (work)
The Cambridge Preliminary and First exams are split into two groups - students and adults. Today, I'm focusing on the adult side and putting together a lesson where students can chat about different job options and career paths, just like in PET Speaking Part 3. This lesson is great because it lets everyone discuss the… Continue reading Cambridge PET – Speaking Part 3 (work)
Cambridge PET – Speaking Part 4 (sports)
Cambridge examiners enjoy discussing sports, and it’s easy to see why—it's a universal topic that resonates with almost everyone. To engage students effectively, introduce them to a speaking strategy that encourages them to express general opinions, share personal views, and support those opinions with examples, all centered around the theme of sports. Unfortunately, I believe… Continue reading Cambridge PET – Speaking Part 4 (sports)
Halloween-themed C1 speaking
After a two-year break, I am returning with another instalment of Cambridge Halloween-themed speaking! This easy, no-prep class combines the best of both worlds: exam preparation and the fun of discussing the holiday. This type of class is typically well-received by all students, so get ready for some spooky conversations in the style of a… Continue reading Halloween-themed C1 speaking
B2 – Technological Advancements and Innovations 🕧
The topic of innovation and constantly advancing technology is evergreen. In today's world, we frequently encounter terms like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in our daily lives. This B2 technology vocabulary lesson is a great opportunity to delve into this topic and discuss the future of technology. Even though the topic of technology is well-covered, it… Continue reading B2 – Technological Advancements and Innovations 🕧