After an observed teaching practice lesson, there is a moment that most teacher trainers will recognise. The trainee has taught. We have taken pages of notes. There will be feedback, discussion, reflection and action points. And somewhere in that process comes the judgement: to standard. Or, sometimes, not to standard. At some centres I have…

I created two lesson plans around exactly the same topic, trending TV shows and movies, but using two very different approaches. 📌 Lesson 1: Task-Based Learning (TBL) Students complete an information-gap task using Netflix Top 10 lists to create the ultimate weekend watch line-up. The lesson is built around negotiation, decision-making and justifying opinions, with…

One of the questions I hear most often from CELTA trainees is, “Where do I start?” It usually comes a few days before their first teaching practice, when they’re staring at a blank lesson plan, a coursebook, and far too many tabs open in their browser. Many trainees instinctively begin by creating PowerPoint slides, searching…

Don’t follow the plan; follow the learners This morning, while walking Vida, my dog, I realised that teaching has a lot in common with it. Every walk starts with a plan. I know roughly where we’re going and how long we’ll be out. Within five minutes, the plan has usually changed. Vida wants to stop…

Last week, on day one of a CELTA course, I asked the usual opening question: “What brought you here?” I’ve heard the standard replies more times than I can count. Career shifts. A love of languages. Plans to travel. The need for a qualification. All fair enough. Then one trainee said, “I want to help…

I’ve been noticing something lately. Someone finishes their CELTA, posts the certificate (fair enough, it’s a big achievement), and almost immediately the conversation turns to “What’s next?” DELTA. Another course. The next qualification. And honestly, I get it. That energy – the motivation to keep going, to keep improving – is something I genuinely admire.…

What dogs can teach us about student behaviour I recently came across a simple idea about dog behaviour that lingered longer than I expected: Growling is not aggression – it’s early communication. Dogs don’t growl to escalate a situation. They growl to prevent escalation. It’s a signal: something isn’t right. And when that signal is…

I’ve been reflecting on how students are using generative AI.I’m not against AI at all. When used purposefully, it can be an incredible tool for learning, creativity, and problem-solving. But I’m also seeing a worrying trend: the more our brains know they can rely on an external tool for information, the less they feel the…

When I first started working as a trainer, I was part of a centre. Work was provided for me, but more than that, I was part of a community. I remember chatting with fellow trainees after sessions, sharing frustrations, celebrating small victories, and learning from each other’s experiences. There was always someone to turn to,…

Yesterday, I attended a really interesting workshop on Academic Integrity. It was great to see how much thought and effort the school is putting into helping students use AI responsibly – not banning it, but guiding them towards understanding what ethical use means. There’s a lot of work being done to prepare students for a…