Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español (Google Translate) Introduction Vocabulary is foundational to language competence. Yet the ways learners practise & internalise new vocabulary often fall short of the complex demands of actual language use. Traditional techniques such as pre-taught vocabulary, memorisation of decontextualised word lists, or single-sentence definitions neglect the fact that… Continue reading Making It Stick: Towards more effective vocabulary practice in language learning
Category: Instructional design
Why teaching needs to be more scientific & what that really means
Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español (Google Translate) Introduction In an activity concerned with care, relationships, & creativity, talk of science can sound clinical, rigid, or even irrelevant. Many teachers & school leaders reasonably ask: Can research really capture the complexity of teaching? Doesn’t experience matter more? Shouldn’t we trust our professional instincts?… Continue reading Why teaching needs to be more scientific & what that really means
Reconciling task-based & genre-based approaches in language teaching
Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español (Google Translate) Introduction Much of the pedagogical discourse in English language teaching has positioned Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) & Genre-Based Instruction (GBI) as separate, distinct, & sometimes competing theoretical & instructional views. However, this dichotomy may be misleading. In practice, both approaches address different, yet complementary dimensions… Continue reading Reconciling task-based & genre-based approaches in language teaching
The transformative potential of open educational resources in English language teaching: Benefits for organisations, teachers, & students
Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español (Google Translate) Introduction Imagine a world where every English language teacher has free access to a rich library of teaching materials; textbooks, videos, assessments, & interactive tools; without concerns about cost, copyright, or inflexibility. Imagine students worldwide starting their courses fully equipped with engaging, personalised resources tailored… Continue reading The transformative potential of open educational resources in English language teaching: Benefits for organisations, teachers, & students
Methodology: An introduction to Genre-Based Instruction
Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español (Google Translate) Introduction: Why Genre Matters in the Classroom Imagine walking into a classroom where students are not just writing for grades, but crafting texts that mirror the real world; explaining scientific phenomena, arguing social issues, narrating personal experiences, or reporting historical events with confidence & clarity.… Continue reading Methodology: An introduction to Genre-Based Instruction
Arguments for ELT publishing reform
Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español (Google Translate) Introduction The English Language Teaching (ELT) publishing industry suffers from significant systemic & structural issues that have raised concerns among educators, institutions, & curriculum developers. While publishers continue to produce materials used by millions of learners worldwide, there is increasing evidence that current practices in… Continue reading Arguments for ELT publishing reform
Understanding language as whole texts
Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español (Google Translate) Introduction Language is more than just words & grammar, it is shaped by context, purpose, & social function & the way we use language depends on what we want to achieve. Every conversation, written text, or spoken exchange follows patterns that help us communicate effectively.… Continue reading Understanding language as whole texts
We need to talk about vocabulary instruction
Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español (Google Translate) “You shall know a word by the company it keeps.” – J.R. Firth (1957) Introduction J.R. Firth emphasised the importance of context in understanding vocabulary & that words are best learned in meaningful contexts rather than in isolation. Words tend to appear in predictable phrases… Continue reading We need to talk about vocabulary instruction
Transfer appropriate processing in language learning: A fundamental principle
Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español (Google Translate) Introduction Effective language learning means engaging in meaningful tasks that develop the knowledge, skills, & attitudes that are necessary for real-world communication. Transfer appropriate processing (TAP) is a fundamental principle in instructional design that ensures learning activities develop the competencies students need to participate in… Continue reading Transfer appropriate processing in language learning: A fundamental principle
Meaning first: Why connecting form and meaning is essential for language learning
Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español (Google Translate) Introduction Language learning is far more than memorising vocabulary & grammar rules; it is about understanding & using language meaningfully in real-world contexts. For learners, this involves making connections between linguistic forms & their functions in communication. Whether students aim to join discourse communities, handle… Continue reading Meaning first: Why connecting form and meaning is essential for language learning