Chatty Mats

OFSTED are keen to see our pupils conversing with each other in the Target Language during their normal everyday tasks and not just speaking activities. So how do you ensure that your pupils try their hardest to use Target Language as much as possible?

Promoting Thought

"SIR! How do you say...?" or "MISS! I don't get it!" Cries that can be the very last thing you want to hear after explaining something in detail or when you know you covered the necessary vocab last lesson. It's fine for children to not understand and it's great when students ask questions but should we be pandering to pupil's needs immediately? Probably not but, the majority of the time, we just want to give ourselves an easier life. However, pupils gain nothing from us answering their questions for them so how can we get them to think for themselves first?

Bats le bleu! ¡Acción Azul! Mach blau besser!

Marking. The time drain that no teacher enjoys. Reading very similar pieces over and over, writing comments and setting targets that are potentially going to be ignored is not anyone's idea of a good time. Then, after procrastinating diligently working your way through a pile of books, you think "are the kids even going to read this?" In an attempt to make students get more from their written feedback, I've stopped correcting work and instead have gone highlighter crazy.