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Academic life

90 articles
What we stand to learn from the world’s largest English test
5 min read 5 min

Each year, the results from the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) are published as a benchmark for measuring, tracking, and ranking adult English ...

Best practices when using technology in class
3 min read 3 min

Sometimes using technology in your classroom can be a little intimidating.  As the rapidly evolving world of technology becomes accessible to more and...

13 ways to use a voice recorder in class
4 min read 4 min

Previously only carried by reporters in press hats, thanks to smartphones, voice recorders are now in everybody’s pocket. Whether you choose to use yo...

How to create excellent handouts – 10 tips
4 min read 4 min

The classic handout is one of teaching’s most used resources. But what makes a good handout? Here, EF’s Marc Kets gives his top 10 tips for taking you...

20 simple questions to evaluate your lesson
3 min read 3 min

Teachers usually have a gut feeling about their lessons. (Which may swing between commiserating over ice cream and Netflix, or singing to the skies ab...

19 ways to challenge yourself as a teacher
4 min read 4 min

In education, we often talk about how to challenge our students—but what about ourselves as teachers? In a teaching career, it’s normal to find yourse...

10 tips for bigger, better productivity
4 min read 4 min

A teacher’s work is never complete: New lessons, students, semesters, years, and subjects continually roll along  unphased by how busy you already are...

Three in-class approaches to increasing student confidence
5 min read 5 min

Another day. You walk into the classroom.Students have occupied the back seats, but the front ones are practically empty.Some students speak so quietl...

How personality frameworks improve your teaching
5 min read 5 min

Personality frameworks have been around for several decades, though personalities since the dawn of time. Developed by psychologists, thinkers, and wr...

Academics answer: What is task-based learning?
4 min read 4 min

Education is constantly evolving and introducing teachers to new or different techniques to employ in class. Here, Giorgio Iemmolo explains one of the...

How to teach mixed conditionals
5 min read 5 min

Mixed conditionals are one of the more difficult and confusing grammar points to teach. Those of us who have tried have most certainly encountered bew...

How to write award-winning ELT materials
3 min read 3 min

Our academic team is no stranger to innovation – and now, our course book Fast Track 5 has been nominated for an ELTon award. When creating materials ...