Then & Now: A Teacher’s Tale of Chalk, Change, and Charging Cables

 inspired by a webinar by my friend Bobby Zlatkov

Today's students bring more technology to class than we did as a whole. Their attention spans? They Google more quickly than I can say "open your books." Assume that they can quickly transition from TikTok to quiz mode, but only if the Wi-Fi is strong.

In the past, educators carried a red pen, overhead transparencies, and unwavering determination. Like mules, we would lug stacks of photocopies around and hope the one functional printer wouldn't jam—spoiler alert: it always did. You were essentially an influencer if you had colored chalk.

Students used to use their Nokias, which felt very high-tech at the time, to play Snake, take (some) notes, and sit (mostly) still.

These days, smartwatches that vibrate like slot machines compete with me.

There were no online resources, smartboards, or "click here to assign" when I first started teaching. I created worksheets from scratch, complete with clipart, if I wanted one. I worked as a tech support, researcher, editor, and graphic designer for a computer that sounded like it was getting ready to take off.

These days, teachers must be everything, everywhere, at once: content producers, Zoom specialists, feedback machines, and subliminal psychologists, all while navigating apps with names that sound like Pokémon evolutions.

Things have changed. Neither worse nor better. simply changing. Additionally, I'm incredibly impressed by how adaptable we've become, even though I occasionally miss the simplicity of the past (and the paper smell of freshly copied worksheets). From "write on the board" to "share your screen," we've managed to stay afloat somehow.

Inspiring this reflection was a recent webinar led by my friend and colleague Bobby Zlatkov, who reminded me that behind every update and upgrade, a teacher is still doing their best to make it all work.

Funways to use letter cards in EFL lessons

Letter cards are a simple yet highly effective tool in the EFL classroom. They are versatile, engaging, and perfect for learners of all ages and proficiency levels. Whether you are teaching a group class or a private lesson, these cards can help students improve their vocabulary, spelling, and phonics skills in a fun and interactive way. Here are three creative ways to use letter small cards to enhance language learning.

1. Word Formation Races

One of the most exciting ways to use letter small cards is through word formation races. This activity encourages students to think quickly and apply their spelling knowledge in a dynamic way.

How to play:

• Divide students into small groups or pairs.

• Scatter letter cards on a table or floor.

• Call out a word, and students must work together to find and arrange the correct letters as fast as possible.

• The first team to correctly spell the word wins a point.

This game is excellent for reinforcing spelling, phonics, and word recognition. You can modify it for different levels by choosing simple three-letter words for beginners or more complex vocabulary for advanced learners.

2. Scrambled Word Challenge

This activity helps students improve their problem-solving skills while reinforcing vocabulary and spelling.

How to play:

• Prepare a set of words related to the lesson topic.

• Mix up the letter cards for each word and give them to students.

• Students must unscramble the letters to form the correct word.

• For an extra challenge, set a timer and see who can solve the most words in a given time.

This activity is ideal for both individual learners and groups. It not only enhances spelling skills but also encourages critical thinking and collaboration when played in pairs or teams.

3. Phonics Matching Game

Phonics is a crucial aspect of language learning, especially for young learners or beginners. Letter small cards can be used to reinforce letter sounds and improve pronunciation.

How to play:

• Prepare a set of letter cards and corresponding picture cards (e.g., “C” and a cat picture).

• Spread out the letter and picture cards face up.

• Students take turns matching the letter to the correct picture based on the initial sound.

• Once a match is made, students can say the word aloud and practice pronunciation.

This activity is perfect for playfully introducing phonics and can be easily adapted by focusing on vowel sounds, digraphs, or even word endings.

Letter cards are an invaluable tool in the EFL classroom. They offer a hands-on, interactive way to build students’ language skills while keeping lessons engaging and fun. Whether used for word formation, spelling challenges, or phonics practice, these activities help reinforce learning in an effective and enjoyable way. Try incorporating these ideas into your next lesson and watch your students' enthusiasm for language learning grow!

Dice, Dictionaries, and Dialogue: Board Games for Language Learning

Tired of the same old grammar drills? Are your vocabulary flashcards starting to feel like ancient artifacts? Let's inject some fun into language learning! Board games aren't just for rainy afternoons; they're powerful tools for reinforcing grammar and engagingly expanding vocabulary. Ditch the worksheets and roll the dice!

1. Scrabble/Bananagrams: Word Wizardry Unleashed

These classic word games are fantastic for vocabulary building and spelling practice. Encourage students to use a dictionary or thesaurus to explore new words during the game. For grammar, you can challenge them to create sentences using the words they form, focusing on specific grammatical structures. For example, "Use your Scrabble word in a sentence with a past participle." Adapt the rules to suit different levels and create themed games based on specific vocabulary sets.

2. Story Cubes: Narrative Grammar Adventures

Story Cubes are a treasure trove for practicing narrative tenses and sentence structure. Roll the cubes and have students create a story using the images. To focus on grammar, specify the tense they need to use (past, present, future). For vocabulary, encourage them to use descriptive adjectives and adverbs to enhance their storytelling. You can also challenge them to create dialogues between the characters, focusing on direct and indirect speech. This game fosters creativity and spontaneity, making grammar practice feel like a fun adventure.

3. "Guess Who?" with a Grammar Twist

Modify the classic "Guess Who?" game to target specific grammar points. Instead of physical attributes, create cards with sentences using different grammatical structures or vocabulary words. Students ask questions related to the grammar or vocabulary, such as, "Does your person use the present perfect?" or "Does your person know a synonym for 'astonishing'?" This game promotes active recall and reinforces understanding of grammatical concepts in a playful context.

Beyond the Board

These are just a few ideas to get you started. The possibilities are endless! Think about how you can adapt your favorite board games to suit your lesson objectives. What are your go-to board games for language learning? Share your creative ideas and experiences in the comments below! Let's build a library of fun, effective language learning strategies together.

Infinitive to Instant Past: Dominoes Get Grammatical!

 

Dominoes meet grammar! Forget boring flashcards, we're playing a game that makes learning verb tenses addictive. Ready to match, learn, and win? Let's play!

Domino Verb Game Instructions

Objective: To match infinitive verbs with their past tense forms, creating a continuous chain of dominoes.

Materials:

• Dominoes with one infinitive verb written on one half and one past tense verb written on the other half.
• 8 sets of verbs with a mix of regular and irregular verbs.

Verb Sets:

1. Walk (Infinitive) - Walked (Past)
2. Eat (Infinitive) - Ate (Past)
3. Play (Infinitive) - Played (Past)
4. Go (Infinitive) - Went (Past)
5. Jump (Infinitive) - Jumped (Past)
6. See (Infinitive) - Saw (Past)
7. Cook (Infinitive) - Cooked (Past)
8. Write (Infinitive) - Wrote (Past)

How to Play:

1. Preparation:

   • Ensure all dominoes are face down and shuffled.
   • Each player draws a set number of dominoes (e.g., 5-7 dominoes). The remaining dominoes form the "boneyard."

2. Starting the Game:

   • One player starts by placing any domino face up on the table.
   • The game continues clockwise.

3. Matching:

   • The next player must match either the infinitive or past tense verb on one end of the domino chain with a corresponding verb on one of their dominoes.
   • For example, if the domino on the table has "Walked" on one end, the next player must place a domino with "Walk" on one of its halves.
   • The dominoes are placed end to end, creating a chain.

4. Drawing from the Boneyard:

   • If a player cannot match a verb, they must draw a domino from the boneyard.
   • If the drawn domino can be played, they may play it immediately.
   • If not, they add it to their hand, and play passes to the next player.

5. Passing:

   • If a player cannot play a domino and the boneyard is empty, they must pass their turn.

6. Winning:

   • The first player to use all of their dominoes wins the game.
   • If all players pass consecutively and no one can play, the player with the fewest remaining dominoes wins.

Example Gameplay:

1. Player 1 places "Eat - Ate" domino.
2. Player 2 places "Walk - Walked" domino, matching "Ate" with a new Domino containing "Walk".
3. Player 3 places "Walked - Play" domino, matching "Walked" with the new domino.
4. And so on...

Variations:

• Advanced Play: Include more verb sets and a wider variety of tenses (e.g., present continuous, future).
• Team Play: Play in teams, with teammates collaborating on their turns.
• Scoring: Award points for each domino played, with bonus points for ending the game.

Tips:

• Pay close attention to the verbs on each end of the domino chain.
• Plan your moves strategically to use your dominoes efficiently.
• Have fun!