Ecoogler - every time you do a search, help save a tree

This is an ecologic searcher that works with Google, the only difference is that with every search you donate a symbolic leaf to plant trees in the Amazon and the rest of the trees in the world. It works just as Google and gives you exactly the same results. Donating a leaf is something symbolic, because each 1.000.000 of leaves represent a donation of trees to the Aquaverde association. These trees will be used to repopulate the Amazons and the forests worldwide. Ecoogler uses Google Custom Search technology.

Ecoogler shows the same results that google.com, so while looking for what you need you will be helping to repopulate the forests.

Spanish Voices in the English classroom

Download this extremely interesting and useful PDF by James Keddie on teaching pronunciation to Spanish speakers. As well as being thought provoking - are we teaching pronunciation in the right way when we expect Spanish speakers to master the whole range of English vowel sounds - it also has practical ideas for use in class. Well-worth the read!

Web sites for Seniors and Adults

Here's an excellent site called Breaking News English that's suitable for Senior and Adult classes. It's updated every few days and features an item in the news.

Each lesson plan starts off with a news article and provides a range of interactive activities based on it. Could be used for individual or whole class work.

Another highly recommendable site is TEFLclips. This is great for whole class teaching and presents a new lesson plan each week based around video clips. And if you like the look of the site, check out the blog of the guy, James Keddie, who produces it (more about him in the next post) - very interesting stuff.

Web sites for Primary and Junior kids

Check out this DirectgovKids site. It's a UK site with authentic language - very colourful and well-designed with lesson plans, games + animations, instruction and factfiles. Good for Primary.

This web site is good for vocabulary work and whole class teaching - suitable for Primary and Junior classes.

Insett: try something different this term!

The idea was to motivate teachers to try out one of three different aspects of teaching this coming term and during the summer courses: learner diaries, cuisenaire rods and vocabulary bags.

1. Learner diaries: click here to read Nik Peachey's analysis of how, when, why we can use them in class.


2. Cuisenaire rods: have a look here to find out how to use those strange little rectangular multi-coloured bits of wood.


3. Vocabulary bags are used by a number of teachers already, here is an extensive list of activities you can try out to motivate students further. Also click here for Ceri Jones' list of vocabulary games - games which she presented at the BC Bilbao teachers' conference last September.

Have a good time experimenting! And please post any sites you come across which relate to these 3 areas.