IES Global

Kirsty and I bundled into a bustling classroom to check out the action.  Teacher/generally lovely bloke, James Jenkins had split the class into groups of three to each prepare a five minute lesson and it turns out me and Kirsty were in for a treat! As each group got up to give their lesson, it took me back to my training days – stressing that when teaching English as a foreign language, you should do anything but sit pupils at desks and talk at them.

It was icebreaker galore as a few groups bust out a rugby ball out, many set team contests and there was much-a mingling.  Preposition, pro-noun and pronunciation games demanded a total physical response from the class and good fun was had in the process. Watching each group get up and give bundles of energy, gave me back my enthusiasm for teaching and now I can’t wait to get back to it! Songs, chants, dances and nursery rhymes filled the room and Kirsty and I sang and laughed along.  It was clear to see that there were a lot of fantastic teachers in the room to whom Kirsty and I offered some of our top tips and best advice.; “Keep it simple, physical and fast paced.  And if all else fails there’s always ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes’!!”