EF Teacher Zone
Ideas, tips, and tools for language teachers around the world.
MenuVisit EF Teacher Zone

Teaching tips

95 articles
3 Activity Adaptations to Boost Student Participation in Class
4 min read 4 min

Active participation is what makes a class successful. Engaging in discussions, sharing thoughts and joining in with activities not only allows studen...

Eight ways to use your students’ own devices in class
5 min read 5 min

Setting foot in a classroom today where students don’t have at least one piece of technology on them is nearly impossible. Accepting that our devices ...

Daily mindfulness for students: 6 activities
5 min read 5 min

At a time when school and home pressures mean it’s not uncommon to see signs of stress amongst students, mindfulness has taken an important role in he...

Fostering a Love for Reading: Strategies for Engaging Reluctant Readers
3 min read 3 min

One of the jobs of a teacher is to help reluctant readers find a passion for reading. This isn’t often easy! While a love for reading may come natural...

Nurturing a Growth Mindset in English Class: Encouraging Resilience and Perseverance
5 min read 5 min

There’s a story about a successful golfer. After he hit a hole in one, someone said to him: ‘I’ve never seen anyone so lucky in my life,’ To which he ...

The Power of Authentic Experiences: Incorporating Video into English Classes
3 min read 3 min

When we use language, we’re not just getting meaning from the words we hear. We also use visual cues to tell us what is happening. These could be the ...

Flipping the language classroom
4 min read 4 min

Learning another language may represent a challenge that every student adjusts to differently. The flipped classroom approach may be the answer you’re...

Here’s what you need to thrive as a teacher this year
4 min read 4 min

The start of a new year, new semester—even a new week!—calls for a blank slate. This New Year, focus on yourself and the longevity of your career in e...

9 tips for positive classroom behaviour in young learners
4 min read 4 min

Ever looked at your young learners and wondered if you’ve been dropped into a cage of monkeys? Naturally far more energetic, curious, and just plain (...

4-part holiday season lesson plan: speaking and grammar
5 min read 5 min

Get your class feeling the holiday cheer with this lesson combining a couple of Christmas themed activities with a New Year’s resolution wrap-up.1. Wa...

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 ...

Grammar recap: Intro to gerunds and infinitives
7 min read 7 min

As students become more proficient in English, they inevitably begin focusing on some of the trickier aspects of the language. One of those is gerunds...