In the ever-evolving field of ESL teaching, keeping up with fresh, practical ideas is essential. Blogs are a fantastic resource for teachers, offering insight, lesson plans, and innovative strategies from experienced educators around the world. Whether you’re looking to integrate technology, films, or personalized teaching approaches, here are some of the top blogs you should explore to enhance your ESL teaching practice:
1. Chia Suan Chong’s Blog
Chia Suan Chong is a recognized figure in the ELT community, offering a blog rich with insights on intercultural communication and the latest trends in language teaching. Her blog is an invaluable resource for teachers who wish to understand the cultural dynamics in their classrooms, as well as offering tools for effective communication between diverse student groups.
Why It’s Useful: Great for teachers working in multicultural environments and those interested in the intersection of culture and language.
- Website: Chia Suan Chong’s Blog
2. Film English
Film English, run by Kieran Donaghy, is one of the most innovative ESL resources available. It uses short films as the basis for lesson plans that promote critical thinking and language acquisition. The blog includes hundreds of free resources that help teachers incorporate media into their ESL classrooms.
Why It’s Useful: Perfect for teachers who want to engage students through visual and audio learning.
- Website: Film English
3. Leoxicon
Leo Selivan’s blog, Leoxicon, emphasizes the importance of lexis (vocabulary) in language learning. He shares practical classroom activities and reflects on his teaching experiences. His blog offers various posts on lesson strategies and common teaching challenges, along with advice on lexis-based approaches.
Why It’s Useful: Ideal for teachers focusing on vocabulary building and language accuracy.
- Website: Leoxicon
4. Sandy Millin’s Blog
Sandy Millin has built an excellent resource for ESL teachers, with a blog filled with lesson ideas, classroom experiences, and thoughts on professional development. Millin provides practical advice for managing students’ progress, preparing for lessons, and using reflective teaching practices.
Why It’s Useful: Sandy’s blog is a go-to for teachers looking for comprehensive teaching strategies and reflective practices.
- Website: Sandy Millin’s Blog
5. The Teacher James
James Taylor’s blog, The Teacher James, is filled with insights into teacher training, classroom management, and lesson planning. His focus on teacher development makes it a valuable read for both novice and experienced educators. The blog offers a wealth of resources, including podcasts, videos, and articles on enhancing ESL teaching methodologies.
Why It’s Useful: It’s great for teachers interested in professional growth and teacher training.
- Website: The Teacher James
6. Vicky Loras’s Blog
Vicky Loras is known for her creative approach to teaching, with a blog that offers unique ideas on how to incorporate creativity into the ESL classroom. She provides resources and reflections on how teachers can inspire students to learn English in engaging ways.
Why It’s Useful: A creative resource for teachers who want to bring passion and imagination into their classrooms.
- Website: Vicky Loras’s Blog
7. A CLIL to Climb
This blog focuses on using Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) to teach ESL. It provides a mix of free resources, teaching strategies, and classroom ideas that blend subject-specific content with language teaching, helping students learn language in context.
Why It’s Useful: Ideal for teachers looking to combine subject learning with language instruction.
- Website: A CLIL to Climb
8. Teacher Trainer Unplugged
Though less frequently updated, this blog offers thought-provoking posts on reflective teaching practices and unplugged language teaching. It’s a great space for teachers who want to simplify their methods and focus on communication and interaction in the classroom.
Why It’s Useful: Encourages a minimalist approach to teaching, focusing on interaction and communication rather than excessive materials.
These blogs serve as a starting point for educators aiming to enrich their ESL teaching practice with fresh ideas, strategies, and resources. Regularly engaging with such content not only enhances your classroom experience but also helps you stay connected with the global teaching community. Whether you’re exploring film-based learning, CLIL, or reflective teaching, there’s something here for every ESL educator.
