January 18, 2010
Words of the Decade
One of my favorite characteristics of the English language is how we create, mangle, adapt, distort and just plain make up words. Many of these come from popular movies, celebrities, political figures or economic or cultural changes. "Truthiness" for example, was a word that had to happen. It originally came from...
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Posted by mmorf at 07:16 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
November 19, 2009
The Ultimate Universal Language - Food
Every nation and culture is rightly proud of its food. The style, taste, seasoning, and of course...
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Posted by mmorf at 02:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
September 21, 2009
Twenty Questions
To inspire discussions or writing for English learning students, I have found open-ended questions to be a good place to start.
I have found that a little introductory discussion can help a student with a context and a framework to continue developing...
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Posted by mmorf at 09:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
September 16, 2009
Put It In Writing
I have had many English learners who have had very good speaking skills but when it comes to writing...
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July 18, 2009
Just What the Doctor Ordered
Those of us who study language have realized that there are two approaches to language; how it should be used correctly - and of course....
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Posted by mmorf at 12:13 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
July 12, 2009
Arabic, Pashto, French or Dari, Anyone?
Most TESOL instructors get their training and background in the civilian world, but when it comes to learning the less common languages like Arabic, Pashto, and Dari, you might be advised to look...
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Posted by mmorf at 09:50 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
June 16, 2009
What's Your Ideal International Job?
Is there a particular place you'd like to live? Is there some specific attribute that you'd like to experience - or share....
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Posted by mmorf at 11:18 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
May 25, 2009
Tell me a Story
Everybody like to hear stories - and when learning a language, there is nothing better than HEARING a story to learn how native speakers not only speak....
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Posted by mmorf at 12:10 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
March 29, 2009
Who Is The Real Foreigner?
So who's the real foreigner?
Have you ever noticed that in just about any ESL context, someone is the foreigner?
Whether the teacher or the student, someone....
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Posted by mmorf at 08:35 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
February 27, 2009
British VS American English
Learning a new language is always a daunting challenge. The English language is difficult enough to learn even without the usual differences in accents and regional variations. And then there is the never clear, and always confusing set of differences between British and American….
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Posted by mmorf at 10:20 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
February 18, 2009
Swimming with the Dolphins
In many resorts in warm climates, one of the options is to swim with the dolphins. This is sort of like running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain - except much safer - and in water.
I mention it in relation to language learning because...
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Posted by mmorf at 02:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
February 13, 2009
Happy New Year!
All around the world we have just celebrated the coming of a new year. In the Chinese calender, we have just entered the year of the ox. This is a perfect metaphor for the language learning experience. The ox does its work slowly but steadily.
This is the time of year to reflect and look forward. Where have we been? And where are we....
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Posted by mmorf at 11:05 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
February 03, 2009
Voices From The Past - Abbot & Costello and Bono to Lincoln
All of us as learners of any language learn from those who came before us. We absorb words and ideas from every singer, writer, friend or neighbor we encounter.
So what can we learn from historical figures? From comedy teams to political leaders we can learn....
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Posted by mmorf at 10:51 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
January 25, 2009
Finding Your Voice
Colleagues,
Most students of other languages lack confidence in public speaking of the new language. Shyness is a major barrier to making a language your own.
In essence, the main principle is practice, practice, practice.
But what is a safe and practical way to to do this?
Thanks to the internet there are . . .
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Posted by mmorf at 02:41 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
January 17, 2009
Simple Does Not Mean Easy
Hello Friends,
In many ways, English is a very “simple” language. But simple does not mean easy. The English language has only 26 letters. You'd think a language with so few characters would be easy to master. ...
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Posted by mmorf at 03:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
March 25, 2008
Teaching Spots - North Korea
Hello Readers,
North Korea may not be the most obvious place to start looking for a teaching job, but every once in a while, there are job opportunities available there. Living in North Korea is not ...
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Posted by crueckert at 02:35 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
November 18, 2007
Teaching Spots-Beirut, Lebanon
Hello Readers,
As the capital (and largest city) of Lebanon, Beirut is home to approximately 1 1/2 million people. Lying on the Mediterranean Sea with an average temperature of 10-20+ degrees celsius, it is no wonder that it was recently rated 9th top city ...
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Posted by crueckert at 05:09 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
October 05, 2007
Teaching Spots-Marrakesh
Hello Readers,
Have you ever wanted to explore northern Africa? How about the "Red City" or "The Land of God", otherwise known as Marrakesh, the second largest city in Morocco? Set in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, Marrakesh not only has the largest market (or souk) in all of Morocco, but it also has the largest square in all of Africa.
While the official language of Morocco is Arabic and the de facto language is French, there are millions of people...
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Posted by crueckert at 02:27 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
September 01, 2007
Teaching Spots-Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh
Hello Readers,
With a population of 80,000,000 people, it might be surprising that Vietnam (or the "Socialist Republic of Vietnam" as it is officially named) has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world. However, while the earning power of individuals is better than what it used to be (just $1 per day), it is still quite low. That being said, there is a high demand for ESL teachers...
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Posted by crueckert at 05:07 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
July 31, 2007
Teaching Spots- Seoul, South Korea
Hello Readers,
Many future ESL teachers start their career during a time of soul-searching in another country. What better place to do this than in Seoul, Korea? As a historic capital of South Korea, Seoul is an ancient city. At the same time, it also claims to be one of the world's most digitally-connected cities in the world. If you're interested in Korean culture and language, buddhism, bathhouses, and the highly popular karaoke, then perhaps becoming a waygoogin ...
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Posted by crueckert at 03:53 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
June 25, 2007
Teaching Spots- Tokyo, Japan
Hello Readers,
Stretching 3,000 kilometers from the north to the south, Japan is a small island country with a long history and rich culture. With a population of over 35 million people, Tokyo, or East Capital, is home to ten percent of Japan's entire population. If you enjoy anime, manga, sushi...
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Posted by crueckert at 04:17 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
May 18, 2007
Teaching Spots- Ciudad de Mexico
Hello Readers!
Located in the Valley of Anáhuac, also known as the Valley of Mexico, at an altitude of approximately 7,350 feet, Mexico City sits in the center of Mexico and claims to be one of the largest cities in the world. Although most of the original city that was built by the Aztecs in 1325 was almost completely destroyed in 1521, the city as we now know it was officially established in 1524 after having been redesigned and rebuilt to Spanish urban standards.
With nearly 8,720,916 inhabitants in 2005, it is no wonder why many websites recommend...
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Posted by crueckert at 04:09 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
April 23, 2007
Teaching Spots- Guatemala City
As the capital and largest city in Guatemala and the largest city in all of Central America, Guatemala City (or Guate, as it's locally known) is located in a mountain valley in the southern part of the country that is home to the Agua Volcano. It is split between the new city and the old city, and includes approximately 20 zonas. Though some say that Guatemala city has...
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Posted by crueckert at 05:00 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
March 19, 2007
Teaching Spots- Romania
Hello Readers,
2007 brought a few new countries into the EU. One of those is Romania, the home of Dracula. While teaching in Romania might not allow for you to save loads of cash, it is no doubt an interesting place to go if you are interested in their culture, traditions, and history. Furthermore, it is, like many post-communist countries, ...
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Posted by crueckert at 05:14 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
February 16, 2007
Teaching Spots-Germany
Hello Readers,
In a recent online article, Mark O'Neil describes the current situation for English teachers in Germany. He says: "If you are a native speaker then with the right amount of luck, charm, and ability, you can be your own boss and earn a nice salary." Sounds good, huh?
Germany is not only the third largest economy in the world (after...
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Posted by crueckert at 04:43 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
January 15, 2007
Teaching Spots- Cyprus
Dear Readers,
Have you ever thought about heading south to the Mediterranean? If so, Cyprus may be the place to go. Over Christmas, I went to Paphos, Cyprus, to visit my in-laws. With over 340 days of sunshine a year, I was tempted to stay!
Cyprus is a small island located...
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Posted by crueckert at 03:36 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
December 11, 2006
Teaching Spots- Call for Comments
Hello Readers,
Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self-conscious and, perhaps, foolish. Christmas, in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself. ~Francis C. Farley
So in this Christmas season, I'm offering you the chance...
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Posted by crueckert at 03:01 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
November 11, 2006
Teaching Spots- London, England
Hello Readers,
After years of teaching abroad in non-English-speaking countries, you might feel a bit homesick for a daily dose of the real thing. If that's the case, you might want to look into teaching in the most populous city in the EU. Home to the oldest and largest metro in the world...
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Posted by crueckert at 03:40 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
October 09, 2006
Teaching Spots- Oxford, England
Hello Readers,
In the last few months, we've looked at teaching spots in a variety of cities in China. This month, let's take a look at what it's like teaching in a city in England. Nicknamed the city of dreaming spires, it's the home of Radiohead, C.S. Lewis, Lewis Carroll, and J.R.R. Tolkien, as well as the BMW Mini. Any guesses? It's the city of ...
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Posted by crueckert at 02:04 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
September 04, 2006
Teaching Spots- Chengdu, China
Hello Readers!
Do you have a soft spot for pandas? Are red hot chili peppers a part of your regular diet (or would you like them to be)? Is a slower paced life more your style? If so, then Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, just might be the place for you.
Located in southwest China, with a population of over 11 million, Chengdu...
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Posted by crueckert at 12:37 AM | Comments (18) | TrackBack (0)
July 09, 2006
Teaching Spots - Shanghai, China
Hi Readers!
Originally a seaside fishing village, Shanghai is now the largest industrial city in China. It has a population of 18.7 million people and covers an area of nearly 2,500 square miles. Like Beijing, Shanghai is another modern metropolis with a blend of traditional temples and modern high-rises. However, unlike Beijing...
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Posted by crueckert at 10:01 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
May 09, 2006
Teaching Spots - San Jose, Costa Rica
Greetings all,
Looking for a Dream ESL Teaching Location? – Think Unspoilt Rainforests, Tropical Beaches, and Ecotourism…
Where I live there’s been a lot of snow this Winter and I have been dreaming about beaches and sun. While I was flicking through the job listings on eslemployment.com, an ad for a job in San Jose, Costa Rica caught my eye and got me thinking of sunnier climes (for example, see HERE)
If it’s tropical beaches and lush rainforest combined with great opportunities for ESL teaching that you are looking for, then Costa Rica could be the perfect place for you. The country benefits . . .
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Posted by ESL Lesson Plan at 06:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (8)
April 23, 2006
Teaching Spots – Venice, Italy
Dear Teachers,
Ah, Venezia! Historic, unique and beautiful, aside from its famous past, Venice has not only one of the most lavish film festivals in Europe, but it also has the distinction of being Europe’s first (1932)! With a number of small historic towns easily accessible from Venice, this region of North-eastern Italy is a prime location for ESL teachers looking for work at international schools and universities, small private schools and summer camps. Though Italy does have pretty strict policies about exclusively hiring EU citizens, the general advice seems to suggest . . .
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Posted by ESL Lesson Plan at 07:33 AM | Comments (10) | TrackBack (1)
December 25, 2005
Teaching Spots – Athens, Greece
"Athens, the eye of Greece, mother of arts / And eloquence." - John Milton, Paradise Regained
Dear Fellow-teachers and Blog-Readers,
With the end of the year approaching, and all the talk about teaching in a foreign location lately, I thought I'd highlight one of the most discussed locations for teaching ESL of 2005.
Think tiny, flavorful cups of coffee. Think seaside cafes, and passionate, friendly debates at every small, checkered-cloth covered table. Think of lazy afternoons where every place closes down for a good meal followed by an afternoon nap. Think History. Think . . .
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Posted by msimmons at 02:56 PM | Comments (11) | TrackBack (2)
November 20, 2005
ESL Italian Style
"Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life." ~Anna Akhmatova
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Posted by lhobbs at 11:56 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack (2)
November 11, 2005
Teaching Spots - Zakopane, Poland
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." ~ Annie Dillard
A Slavic Garden of Eden & A Winter Wonderland
Fresh, homemade cheeses sold from baskets on the street, colorful costumes and energetic, country dancing. Horse-drawn buggies, honey vodkas and mushroom picking in the forest. Long, scenic hikes with breathtaking views and mountaintop taverns with locally made brews. Friendly faces, Belgian waffles and fresh, fruit-filled crepes around every corner.
Dear readers,
This is my picture to you of . . .
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Posted by lhobbs at 10:22 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack (1)
August 29, 2005
Teaching Spots - Terrazas, Spanish and Running of the Bulls
Hello everyone!
Are you looking for a teaching location that’s as wild as the wind, as unpredictable as it gets, and requires a certain “Pizzazz” just to get along? Then maybe you should take a look at Spain.
Madrid, the capitol of Spain, is one of the teaching hotspots, but most people who have been there agree that not just anyone will make it there. To be a successful ESL teacher in Madrid, you’ll have to . . .
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Posted by msimmons at 12:13 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (1)
August 09, 2005
Where Do You Find an ESL Job?
Hello everyone!
Thank you for all of your kind words this week.
Are you a new teacher, and trying to figure out where in the world to find a job?
Many new teachers are overwhelmed by the prospect of looking for jobs in other countries. And while it’s true that you will have to employ different techniques than if you were looking in your own country, the process really isn’t all that different. 1) Find a position that you’re interested in, 2) Tweak your resume to fit the requirements, 3) send it to them via their preferred method, and 4) follow up soon after.
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Posted by msimmons at 10:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)
July 28, 2005
Teaching Spots - Italy
Looking for New Digs?
Good morning everyone!
Do espresso, antipasto and ferraris have a certain pull for you? If you love history, good food eaten s-l-o-w-l-y, expensive automobiles and chic people, Italy might be a great place for you to teach!
Most of us have dreamed of sitting in the Tuscany sun or exploring the landmarks of Rome, but have you ever thought about teaching there?
If you are from the E.U., your chances of . . .
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Posted by msimmons at 03:00 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack (2)
June 02, 2005
Teaching Spots - Japan
Sushi Anyone?
Hello everyone!
Are you are looking for a serious cultural experience? If so, you might want to give Japan a try. While it’s true that you won’t get to spend your free time on the beach, you will get to experience a culture so different than anything you’ve likely known, that the memories are sure to last a lifetime.
Japan has an intricate and complex culture, and the language schools are no exception. For example, if you teach in a tiny school, it’s quite possible that you will become good friends with your students. In addition you’ll have some input with your lesson plans and get to use a little creativity. On the other hand, if you accept . . .
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Posted by msimmons at 11:06 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (1)
May 08, 2005
Call For Comments About Greece
Good morning all,
I'm looking for anyone who has worked or is currently working in Greece to contribute comments. Tell us what it's like, how you found your job, the amount of your salary, and oh, how absolutely wonderful it is!
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Posted by msimmons at 02:29 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (2)
