The regional newpaper HOY has been hosting a series of articles on the state of the University of Extremadura. I was asked to contribute and rather than offer an in-depth academic analysis, I opted to tell my story and experience of working there. First the English version: It came as a complete shock to me.…
Writing in the local paper. Local Issues with a global take. I never translate literally and the editor trims at will to make it fit. Here’s my version, then theirs. After having lived here for more than a decade, I still catch myself looking up in wonder as the last rays of the setting sun hit the Torre…
Writing in the local paper. Local Issues with a global take. I never translate literally and the editor trims at will to make it fit. Here’s my version, then theirs. One of the first questions I ask my students when I start a new course is often one of the most difficult for them to answer. And…
A new teaching adventure this week, braving the new online, virtual world. I was invited to participate in some online training with Macmillan in Madrid which was beamed to the world. The first session, Bing, Bang, Boom, Boing and Baa: onomatopoeia and the importance of sounds in the YL classroom, was a fun look at bringing…
Something a bit out of my ordinary. Should be fun, can’t think of a better way to celebrate the day. For an after the fact recap, click over here.
Open a job search for ESL job openings around the world at any time of the year and a sunny southern corner of Europe is bound to tally the most hits. A place where, if you subscribe to RP pronunciation patterns, the rain falls mainly on the plain. A place I have called home off…
Last month I was asked by one of the editors of IATEFL’s TDSIG newsletter to contribute to their Teacher Development Stories series and I came up with the following. They say you never miss the water till the well runs dry and as is often the case, they were right. For years, the institute where…
In between travels, I spend my time looking at English through another lens, that of the learner. I’m currently the Director of Studies at the Instituto de Lenguas Modernas de la Universidad de Extremadura. Onestopenglish decided to do a profile on the centre and the Continuous Professional Development program that we run. Click over here…
Teaching isn’t a competition but it’s nice to have your ideas recognized sometimes. The picture drew me into the idea… It was worth it… Click over to Cambridge’s site to see.
