TEACHING RESOURCES PAGE

Conversation lessons

Daniel's latest book, "30 Hot Conversation Lessons", is finally available to download: download free English conversation lessons The sample copy of the book contains all the "how to" stuff, very useful for less-experienced teachers, plus 3 freee lessons. Want all 30 lessons? For just €9.99, you can download the whole book which has 30 conversation lessons ready to print out. I've tested these lessons with my own students and so can guarantee they work! Your private students, for example, will love this stuff! 30 Hot Conversation Lessons

Video teaching

Here are some materials I used on intensive classes with younger learners (all boys!) this summer. The idea was to get them using their English, by watching a whole film during their week-long course. There was to be language-input too, but not obtrusively. My aim was to make English more "real" for them, and to lighten the lessons a little.

My first effort was with "Star Wars I, The Phantom Menace". If you don't have a copy, you can borrow one from the Madrelingua video library... This film was chosen for a group of boys aged 10-12, and has a "U" certificate. I didn't expect them to get much of the dialogue, so the work sheets focus on their understanding of the action as it takes place, and on introducing relevant vocabulary (which I pre-taught). Sadly, I didn't have time to finish the film, so there are only four worksheets. If you choose to use them, you might want to write your own for the last bit of the film (and share them!!).

Star Wars worksheets

A few weeks later, I had a group of older boys (15-17), and I picked another militaristic shoot-em-up, "Top Gun". This time I did finish the film, and so the worksheets are complete. All you have to do is get a copy of the video, print the worksheets, and you're ready. The worksheets start by focusing on the action and later move towards focusing on who says what. Hope you enjoy the film!
Oh, by the way.. Top Gun is rated "15" and has one sex-scene, which you'll probably want to skip. It's right at the end of one of the episodes, so you can stop before and restart after without anyone noticing! Which reminds me, however busy you are, it's always a good idea to watch the section of video you're about to use, BEFORE you use it!

Top Gun worksheets

And my latest effort! Notting Hill
This material was developed with a variety of task types as part of a teacher-training workshop. You can use it with adults or younger learners - just leave out the more complex tasks as necessary.

If you have any comments about the material on these pages, please e-mail us on: info@madrelinguabologna.com