Category Archives: Fab ideas

Questions to get to know your new students

Posted on 12/08/2020 by fabenglishteacher

What’s the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to you? 2. What would you like to be doing in 5 years’ time? 3. How would your biggest fan describe you? 4. And how would your worst critic describe you? 5. … Continue reading →

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Social Distanced teaching

Posted on 07/06/2020 by fabenglishteacher

I wrote recently about the challenges of post-confinement teaching and promised you some ideas. They’ve taken a while coming, things haven’t been easy, as you’ve probably guessed; no handouts, no group or pair work (without students yelling at each other … Continue reading →

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Working from home – like Mr D, quick lesson based on Roald Dahl’s writing shed

Posted on 03/05/2020 by fabenglishteacher

Look carefully, describe in detail, would you like to work here? What do you think could/might/should/must be on the desk? Who do you think would work in a place like this? (Your English teacher?!) Would you like to?

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What is the difference between travel & tourism? – A TED talk comprehension activity

Posted on 01/12/2019 by fabenglishteacher

  I was looking through some TED talks today, which I often do when I want some inspiration (for life as well as class!) and came across this brilliant guy who travelled from Washington D.C. to Antarctica. I thought I’d … Continue reading →

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Paper Chains – an ELT activity

Posted on 24/11/2019 by fabenglishteacher

Not just for Christmas decorations – although why not, if you use festive colours! Cut up a pile of rectangular pieces of coloured paper – say 15cm x 5cm and write a word on each one, you can use them … Continue reading →

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How to sew a button and other useful lessons to teach in ELT class

Posted on 12/11/2019 by fabenglishteacher

The great thing about teaching English is that it’s just an excuse for learning lots of other stuff. This week I’m sure my students went away having actually learnt something useful, here’s what we did: Ask the students how to … Continue reading →

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Portmanteau words

Posted on 10/11/2019 by fabenglishteacher

I love these! You know words like brunch, smog, and our favourite at the moment – Brexit! Rather than teach a lesson on brexit I thought it would be more fun to do one on portmanteau words, there are loads, … Continue reading →

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Mood boosters for fast Finishers

Posted on 30/06/2019 by fabenglishteacher

It’s been a while since I posted so I thought I’d offer you a little gift for being so patient with me. I love using Fast Finishers activities (the book is a bit of a giveaway!!) and here are some … Continue reading →

Posted in Fab ideas, fast finishers, last minute plans, wellbeing | 1 Comment

A listening (drawing) & writing activity

Posted on 04/03/2019 by fabenglishteacher

I have this brilliant student called Aurelien, actually I have lots of brilliant students but this boy often comes up with ideas that I use in class or share with other students. The other day Aurelien and his partner came … Continue reading →

Posted in Blethering, Fab ideas, Fab YL ideas | 1 Comment

Things to do with a paper clip

Posted on 31/01/2019 by fabenglishteacher

You’ve probably seen activities like this before, as many things as you can think of to do with a cabbage, a brick etc. Apparently (or so I tell my students!) NASA use this creativity test in their selection process, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Fab ideas, Fab YL ideas | 1 Comment