American TESOL Institute's Lexical Press Blog

Beyond “Hello”: 50 Creative Icebreakers to Spark English Learning in Young Minds

The first moments of an ESL class with children can set the tone for the entire learning journey. Ditch the tired introductions and spark excitement with these 50 novel icebreakers!…

tesol May 20, 2024

American TESOL Institute

Sculpting Language: Enhancing ESL Vocabulary with Towie Balls

In the realm of language learning, memorization is a crucial skill. However, rote repetition can be monotonous and ineffective. Enter the Towie Ball, a creative and engaging tool that taps…

tesol May 18, 2024

American TESOL Institute

The Art of Effective Teaching: Beyond the Textbook

What makes a truly effective teacher? While there's no one-size-fits-all answer, research consistently reveals key principles that lead to better student outcomes and inspire a lifelong love of learning. 1.…

tesol May 17, 2024

American TESOL Institute

Expanding Beyond Gardner: Other Dimensions of Intelligence

Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences revolutionized our understanding of human intellect, but it isn't the only model exploring the diverse ways people think and learn. Several other types of…

tesol May 11, 2024

American TESOL Institute

Psychosocial Development and ESL: Nurturing Language Acquisition Through the Stages

Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development outlines eight stages individuals pass through from infancy to adulthood. Each stage involves a unique challenge or crisis that shapes our identity and influences…

tesol May 11, 2024

American TESOL Institute

Telegraphic Speech: A Stepping Stone in Language Development

Telegraphic speech, also known as "text message speech," is a stage in early language development where children use simple two-word phrases to communicate. It resembles a telegram, conveying the essential…

tesol May 11, 2024

American TESOL Institute

Hacking Your Mind: Psycholinguistics and the Effortless Path to English Fluency

Learning English as a second language can feel daunting, but what if you could tap into the hidden power of your subconscious mind? Psycholinguistics, the study of how our minds…

tesol May 10, 2024

American TESOL Institute

Breaking Down the Barriers: Strategies for Effective English Pronunciation in TESOL

For TESOL learners, achieving clear and confident English pronunciation can be a significant hurdle. Several factors contribute to these challenges, but the good news is, there are practical solutions educators…

tesol May 10, 2024

American TESOL Institute

Demystifying the Lexical Approach: Building Blocks for Language Acquisition

The lexical approach offers a refreshing perspective on TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). It shifts the focus from memorizing grammatical rules to acquiring meaningful chunks of language,…

tesol May 10, 2024

American TESOL Institute

Connectionism: A New Perspective on Language Learning

Connectionist philosophy presents an alternative viewpoint on how we learn language. Unlike traditional theories emphasizing rules and memorization, Connectionism proposes that we acquire language through complex networks of associations, shaped…

tesol May 10, 2024

American TESOL Institute

Demystifying Intelligence: Exploring the Theory of Multiple Intelligences

For decades, intelligence was often measured by a single score, the IQ. However, Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences challenged this notion, proposing that there are eight distinct intelligences, each…

tesol May 10, 2024

American TESOL Institute

The Psychology of Motivation: Understanding What Drives Us

Motivation is the force that propels us towards goals – it explains why we initiate actions, persist through challenges, and strive to achieve. Understanding different types of motivation, their sources,…

tesol May 10, 2024

American TESOL Institute

Project-Based Learning: Beyond the Classroom

Project-based learning (PBL) is a dynamic educational approach that empowers students to go beyond traditional textbooks and lectures. Instead of simply absorbing information, students become active participants in their learning…

tesol May 10, 2024

American TESOL Institute

3 Ways to Manage Classroom Discipline Positively

Classroom discipline is a constant challenge for educators, and establishing effective strategies is key to creating a positive learning environment. While traditional disciplinary measures are sometimes necessary, there's growing emphasis…

tesol May 10, 2024

American TESOL Institute

Mechanisms in Motion: 90 Everyday Devices That Unlock Emotional Intelligence in the ESL Classroom

“Mechanisms in Motion” invites educators to re-imagine the everyday objects that fill our homes, streets, and smartphones as living metaphors for how the human mind handles stress, conflict, and growth.…

tesol May 1, 2024

American TESOL Institute

Unlock Student Potential with Classical Conditioning in ESL

Classical conditioning, established by Ivan Pavlov, pairs a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a response. This powerful learning principle has innovative applications in English language instruction. Let's…

tesol April 28, 2024

American TESOL Institute

Bridging the Gap: Understanding Sociolinguistics in the ESL Classroom

For ESL teachers, fostering effective communication goes beyond grammar and vocabulary. Sociolinguistics, the study of the relationship between language and society, equips teachers with valuable insights to create a more…

tesol April 24, 2024

American TESOL Institute

Psycholinguistics, Multilingualism, and the Path to English Fluency

The complex processes governing language acquisition, use, and fluency are multifaceted, drawing on an intricate interplay of cognitive mechanisms, social contexts, and individual experiences. Psycholinguistics and multilingualism, as fields of…

tesol April 24, 2024

American TESOL Institute

Choral Repetition: Building Confidence and Language Skills in the ESL Classroom

Choral repetition, a foundational technique in ESL instruction, involves the teacher modeling a language element(sound, word, phrase, or sentence) followed by the students repeating it together in unison. This seemingly…

tesol April 24, 2024

American TESOL Institute

Understanding the Building Blocks of Language: Parts of Speech

Words are the fundamental building blocks of language, and they fall into categories known as parts of speech. Understanding these categories helps us understand how words work together within a…

tesol April 24, 2024

American TESOL Institute

7 Steps to Teaching Reading to ESL Students

Teaching reading to ESL students is a rewarding process that requires specific strategies. Here's a step-by-step guide and a collection of techniques to build students' comprehension, fluency, and critical thinking…

tesol April 24, 2024

American TESOL Institute

8 Best Ways to Teach Vocabulary for ESL Learners

Effective vocabulary instruction goes beyond memorizing definitions. ESL teachers must facilitate meaningful interactions that allow students to internalize and actively use new words. Here are 8 excellent classroom-ready approaches: Visuals…

tesol April 24, 2024

American TESOL Institute

AI-Powered ESL Pedagogy: A New Frontier in Language Education

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing numerous fields, and education is no exception. In the realm of ESL (English as a Second Language) instruction, AI offers the potential to create a…

tesol April 22, 2024