An introduction to Montessori 101

An analysis of Montessori philosophy and benefits

The Montessori Method consists of a carefully developed set of materials to create the proper environment for children at each stage of their development

Some solutions to the challenges of teaching in Thailand

Some ideas on how to make life easier for yourself

Don’t take complaints or awkward suggestions to your local head. Go to them with easy to understand positive solutions instead. And don’t push your case or demand an immediate response.

Games for large unruly classes

Should games always have a pedagogical value? No.

Some of these appear in different versions and with different names on Dave’s ESL Café, but most of those were designed for smaller classes in countries like South Korea and Japan and don’t work very well with larger groups in Southeast Asia.

Phonics for teenagers and adults

Why should students feel intimidated?

Phonics for absolute and false beginners? Yup, and even up to intermediate level too. And beyond if your students benefit from it.

A basic model for teaching kids

Try something that really works

This a very logical and easy-to-use starting point for teachers that are new to working with kids or want to improve their skills in this area.

Quotes from the discussion board

These are the hilights

Here are some of the top quotes from members of various teacher discussion boards taken from over the past twelve months or so. Let's call it the best of the teacher's room

Thai teaching assistants

Angels from the planet Xerox or Satan's snitch?

They are as much a part of a teaching package as subsidized health insurance, the occasional sports day and possible unpaid test-marking. We want to hear about yours. When asked to make photocopies does she say "coming right up oh great white-skinned one" or does she beat a path to the dean's door to remind him that slavery has been abolished?

Notes on a semester

What can you do when teaching starts to get you down?

How can I or any teacher that feels he's underachieving turn things around? I doubt there is any magic formula, but I've come up with a few ideas. Many of them are blindingly obvious but it's often the easy points we miss during difficult classes.

My tears and your legacy

A letter to President-Elect Lee Myung-bak.

Recently the laws of South Korea were modified to improve the vetting process in the hiring of foreign English teachers. Analyzing my blood and urine for specific diseases and pre-existing conditions is one thing.