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Academic life

92 articles
The unconventional guide to testing your students’ English
4 min read 4 min

Do you have students who think English tests are a simple stamp of approval at the end of a course? We thought so. On the other hand, you’ve probably ...

Seven games to play with your teens (that they’ll actually love)
4 min read 4 min

While teenagers have a talent for looking at the adults in their lives with keen suspicion, it’s a sure bet that suggesting a game in class will turn ...

Six super-flexible vocabulary guessing games
4 min read 4 min

Because there will never not be vocabulary to practice, these quick activities are perfect for anytime. Think to warm up your class, change pace befor...

Reduce teacher stress with these 7 daily mindfulness tips
5 min read 5 min

Despite the trappings of modern life, it turns out our brains are still largely animal-like in the way they respond to stimuli. Consider when you reco...

Great activities to prep in 5 minutes or less
5 min read 5 min

Do you wish you had more time to prep for your lessons? Or not known how to fill an unexpected bit of time at the end of class? Maybe you’ve had to su...

Teacher interview series: Is a career in teacher-training for you?
6 min read 6 min

The education sector has many pathways for teachers. Here, we invited teacher-trainer Anne de Leon to talk to us about her work, and give advice to te...

Academics answer: What is blended learning?
5 min read 5 min

Education is constantly evolving, introducing teachers to new or different techniques to employ in class. Here, we invited the EF academic team to tal...

Got an unmotivated student? Try these 12 tips
5 min read 5 min

No matter how cohesive the class, there’s usually one student who just isn’t, let’s say, feeling it. But what can you do with an unmotivated student? ...

Older and wiser: What I’d tell first-year teachers
6 min read 6 min

As recent graduates and intrepid career-changers take their first steps as teachers, we thought it was the perfect moment to collect advice from more ...

Seven ways freelance teachers can create their own staffroom
4 min read 4 min

Flexible class times, varied work environments, and location independence are some of the benefits freelance and online teachers enjoy. However, while...

How to prepare for a strong start to the school year
4 min read 4 min

We know the beginning of a new school year can be nerve-racking, but remember, it’s also a chance to make a fresh start. There’ll be new students, new...

David Bish breaks down blended learning
4 min read 4 min

We sat down with EF senior academic David Bish to find out more about blended learning and how it’s used in the classroom.David, how would you introdu...