Free thoughts

FREE THOUGHTS Teacher-Talking-Time (TTT) 1 One of the main impressions I get from overhearing people’s teaching is that teachers tend to love the sound of their own voices. I very often hear the teachers in…

FREE THOUGHTS Person-centred teaching 1 What is the problem with a teacher saying they are student or learner-centred in their teaching practice? 2 The issue is that nobody walks into your classroom as just a…

FREE THOUGHTS Hierarchies 1 Are you in the correct place in the hierarchy that exists in your school? 2 Not if your abilities are threatening to other people. 3 But if you are good, don't…

FREE THOUGHTS The brilliance of Paulo Freire 1 Paulo Freire was once discussing how education systems work. 2 Freire said that in most education systems we ask students questions like "What is the capital of…

FREE THOUGHTS Group think 1 Few communicative situations are more unnatural than one person addressing a group of people who are compelled to sit and listen. 2 This is the essence of what teaching is…

FREE THOUGHTS Teachers knowing nothing 1 I recently had a stunning insight into my experience of education. 2 Say I’ve been in some form of education for around 24+ years. In all time, there wouldn’t…

FREE THOUGHTS The stupidity of correction codes 1 Lots of people in EFL use correction codes on student writing primarily because other people seem to be doing it rather than because it’s an idea that…