Teacher Resource  
 

Teaching the Bible in the ESL context


When accommodating their request to read the Bible, we can work verse by verse and I can quiz them on the tenses of the verbs used. For example, we can pick a favorite miracle in the Bible, then I can ask them to write it out as if we were watching the miracle happen with the disciples two thousand years ago. The next paragraph can use tenses to describe past actions, and finally they can write a paragraph of what it would look like if Jesus were to perform that same miracle in two months. For example, sentences may look like this: Jesus walked on water. Jesus is walking on water. Jesus will walk on water. This approach would not only meet both of our ESL goals but help us to really examine the Biblical passages we are reading. I will be careful not to add or subtract anything from God's word.
–Aronda Kerns
 

The “Manciel” Talk Show


Students with a strong grasp of English grammatical knowledge who have had little exposure to freely using the knowledge to communicate are simply itching to “free talk.” As a means of facilitating a free talking activity and to teach about your own culture (consequently practice listening skills) create a talk show in your classroom. Introduce the talk show with your name and compare it to Oprah (most students know her name and can immediately draw from prior knowledge and understand the activity). Then, use the theme of the talk show to have students prepare questions about any given subject. For example, questions about the teacher’s home country or life in the new foreign country he/she resides in. This activity can be integrated into any main lesson as a way of facilitating student participation. When switching from teaching the main lesson to hosting the talk show you can simply go on a “commercial break.” When you pose a question to students you can invite them as guest on the talk show to share their answers. This gives students time to prepare an answer, is entertaining and interactive.
 

ESL Printables


This site requires a free membership however, you will soon find that it is a valuable resource for ready made worksheets created by real teachers.
 

EFLclassroom


Here you will find a megasite for new and seasoned ESL/EFL teachers, from "lessons in a can" to professional development, to free software resources, this site has it all!