http://www.yaelf.com/swot.shtml Interesting facts about the English language.
Continue reading...Teaching and Learning
MooT
http://www.mootgame.com This is a trivia game based entirely on the origins of words in the English language. The inventor of the game also has a mailing list where he sends quizzes out on a regular basis.
Continue reading...Word Lists for Storytelling
When you are reading English stories to ESL children, sometimes it helps to review the words that you are going to cover ahead of time. Print out these word lists and cut them up to be used as flash cards or parts of a game. Day Becomes Night by Richard...
Continue reading...Canada Quiz for Nursery School Kids in Japan
If you print out the file that is linked below, you can use this activity to introduce Canada. (This activity was for children in Japan.) Which one is Canada’s flag? Which one is a map of Canada? Which one is Canada’s most popular sport? Which one shows what Canada looks...
Continue reading...Hyakunin Isshu: Teaching Foreign Students about Japanese Culture
The one hundred poems collected in the Hyakunin Isshu are an important cultural treasure in Japan, both for the beauty of the Heian era poems themselves, and also for the creative interpretations shown in the Edo period artwork that is now almost synonymous with the poems. However, while they can...
Continue reading...Warm Up Activities for ESL Classes
Here are some ideas of warm up activities for ESL classes. Intensive Speaking and Listening Ask the students a series of questions based on a topic, and then get all students to listen to the answers. When all students have answered the questions, quiz the students on their comprehension and...
Continue reading...English Songs for Kids
Here are some songs that I learned when I was a kid. Thought I might share them with you… You can also download a pdf file of all of these songs. Pretty Songs Edelweiss Edelweiss, edelweiss Every morning you greet me Small and white, clean and bright You look happy...
Continue reading...Hyakunin Isshu: My Interpretations
ONE HUNDRED POETS, ONE HUNDRED POEMS (Note: The translations are mine, and they are heavily dosed with my own interpretation of the poems, so don’t take them too seriously.) 1 天智天皇 秋の田のかりほの庵の苫をあらみ わが衣手は露にぬれつつ Tenchi Tennou Aki no ta no kariho no iho no toma wo arami Waga koromode wa tsuyu...
Continue reading...How to Study Kanji
Prepared for the Canadian Association of Japanese Language Education in August 2001 Use Kanji Proficiency Test Materials The Kanji Proficiency Test is based on the school years in Japan and it is recognized by Monbukagakusho. Level 10 is the lowest, representing the first grade of elementary school, and it includes...
Continue reading...Japanese Study Tips for JET Participants
Prepared for the Toronto JET Pre-Departure Orientation (June 2001) Why Study Japanese? It can’t be emphasized enough that your understanding of Japan and its culture will not be complete without an understanding of the Japanese language. The better you understand the language, the better you will be able to make...
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