Teachers' articles, thoughts and opinions

The transition between Primary and Secondary school can be daunting for numerous reasons and sometimes it feels like there are no straight-forward answers available. During my time as a classroom teacher and tutor to pupils both at the beginning and end of their seconary school journey, the most frequent statements and questions I hear are: "Will my child be able to cope with the pace of secondary school English?" "How do I make sure my child m...

As with every new school year, all teachers face the same challenge: to prepare everything so that lessons do not descend into chaos. Regardless of what kind of teacher you are, whether you teach in a school or in private lessons, preparation is essential. Teachers who work in a school or college may have a little more leeway for preparation as they usually know what the curriculum will be. A private tutor's curriculum is based on student demand...

Picture yourself lounging by the pool, book in hand, lost in an exciting new world of words. Can you think of a better way to enjoy the sunshine? Summer reading isn't just about entertainment. It's a tradition that dates back centuries, and there's no better time than now to immerse yourself in it. The beauty of summer reading is that it can be as varied as the readers themselves. You might choose a light-hearted romance to complement the sunny ...

Welcome, young scientists of Key Stage 3! Today, we are diving into the marvellous world of chemistry lessons with a collection of safe and exciting experiments. Science should be fun, and what better way to learn than by getting hands-on with some thrilling chemical reactions? In this blog, we will explore five safe and easy-to-do experiments that will ignite your passion for chemistry and leave you awestruck by the magic of science! Dancing ...

If you've ever tried to learn a language, you'll know how difficult it can be to learn the vocabulary. It's also really difficult to remember the vocabulary once you've learnt it! But why is this? Well, it's usually because we stop using it!  The human brain remembers things much more easily if it's using them regularly. If we try to remember things that we don't use, the brain struggles to retain them. The PIN number on your bank card that...

As a native Spanish speaker, social communicator, professional journalist, American high school exchange student, and wife of a Brit, I have experienced a lot in my journey of learning a new language. From my own experience, I firmly believe that immersion is the best way to acquire a new language. I hope that each one of us will have the opportunity and means to invest in ourselves by living in a new place and immersing ourselves in its culture...

Embarking on a new language is a thrilling odyssey, one that unlocks a universe of possibilities and expands your horizons. English, in particular, as the lingua franca of the globalised world, has the power to increase your professional prospects and personal experiences. In this blog post, my aim is to give insights into mastering English as an English as a foreign language tutor, and offer valuable tips to propel you towards excellence in the...

The moment you decide to learn a new language, a flurry of questions are bound to take center stage in your mind. One such crucial query that often leaves language learners bewildered is - should I focus on conversation or delve deep into the grammar? To help you on your linguistic journey, let's break down the pros and cons of these two dominant learning methods and pinpoint the best route for language acquisition. 1. Can you learn a language ...

According to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), people with an insufficient level of physical activity have a 20% to 30% higher risk of death compared to those who achieve a sufficient level of physical activity.  Nowadays, taking sports and fitness classes is not a matter of vanity to achieve a better physical appearance, it is really a matter of personal health, necessary to achieve a healthier lifestyle. It is true that f...

Learning a new language can be both exciting and challenging. But when it comes to language lessons, what's the best way to learn: Should I follow traditional grammar classes or try conversational ones? That's where everyone gets confused, and to answer this question we are going to break it down step by step. Can you learn a language exclusively through regular conversation? Yes, you can definitely learn a language through regular conversation...

If you´ve decided to take on private lessons in programming, you may have already learned that every programming language used involves the concept of a variable. What is a variable? A variable is the name given to a computer memory location where some data is stored for processing. There are some programming languages in which we need to define a variable before we use it and there are some programming languages in which we don't need to ...

The fact that your child has expressed a desire to learn music is very good news: music is a creative art that allows them to express themselves freely. In addition, they can acquire some skills that will help them grow, such as having a better memory, better concentration or knowing how to work in a group. So, don't hesitate to sign them up for some good music lessons! But how do you make sure you are choosing the right music tutor for your chi...

When embarking on a journey to learn a foreign language, the choices of language lessons can be overwhelming.  Aspiring learners often find themselves torn between regular conversation-based classes and traditional grammar-focused ones and I was one of them while approaching English. In this blog post, we will delve into the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches, aiming to determine the most effective route to master a foreign lan...

Modern language learning techniques used in private language lessons and in schools have created a divide between conversation classes and grammar classes. Assuming that traditional grammar classes lack the tools to teach conversation, language methods these days have often catapulted to the opposite extreme: conversational skills without conscious teaching of grammar.  Can you learn a language exclusively through regular conversation...