Personal ELT

08/11/2023

Such great advice on how to give a talk from the people who help prepare Ted Talk speakers. Just remember there is no one best way; there's your way - and as long as you have something valuable to say and are authentic and passionate, your audience will be supportive.

For more than 30 years, the TED conference series has presented enlightening talks that people enjoy watching. In this article, Anderson, TED’s curator, shares five keys to great presentations: Frame your story (figure out where to start and where to end). Plan your delivery (decide whether to mem...

04/09/2023

This is a fantastic initiative by the University of Central Lancashire to offer free English language teacher training to support the English language development of refugees and forced migrants. If you know anyone who's looking for a career change or who's interested in learning another skill and to change the lives of others, please share.

Aspiring English language teachers can apply for a free training course at UCLan as part of a regional initiative to increase TESOL in Lancashire and Cumbria.

18/06/2023

Never underestimate the power of practice. Speaking is a skill, just like playing a sport or driving a car. If you want to get great at it, whatever level you're currently at, practice is the key!

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who c...

23/04/2023

Some interesting lessons here for the classroom and for educational leaders. How well do you feel you've established warmth and trust amongst your team and even your learners? How does this view of leadership sit with non-western notions of leadership? I think there's a cultural bias here that needs to be acknowledged and discussed. What are your views?

In puzzling over whether it’s better to be feared or loved as a leader, Machiavelli famously said that, because it’s nigh impossible to do both, leaders should opt for fear. Research from Harvard Business School’s Amy Cuddy and consultants Matthew Kohut and John Neffinger refutes that theory, ...

16/04/2023

Keeping, losing and adapting your accent in different contexts and for different audiences is something most of us do either consciously or unconsciously. The reasons for doing so are complex, connected to our identities, who we want to be and who we want to be seen as, as well as our desire to fit in to our cultural and linguistic surroundings. How aware are you that you code-switch? And what do you say to your English learners when they express their desire to speak 'like a native'?

Your subconscious sense of identity can influence how much your accent changes.

06/01/2023

I love being a communication trainer and working with talented young people. It's meaningful, rewarding and always inspiring to witness young people push themselves out of their comfort zones.

“Meet our trainer Krista! Here is some feedback from a workshop she delivered to Furness Academy. ”

13/12/2022

Appreciating diversity and creating opportunities for social inclusion are key to supporting international students. More here -

Steps that tutors can take to better support students who are non-native speakers of English and ensure they feel included and able to play an active role in their university community

24/11/2022

Despite having lived in the UK since 1998, I'm asked on a weekly basis where in America I'm from. As a Canadian, it can be deeply frustrating but it's also a starting point for conversation and learning. Accents provide a wonderful, rich opportunity to deepen our cultural and linguistic awareness, to make friends and to share our experiences of the world. Do you feel the same way or do you feel your accent is perceived in a way that is limiting your opportunities?

In England, the southern accent is seen as neutral and aspirational, but we rarely pause to ask why, says Guardian deputy Opinion editor Kirsty Major

03/01/2022

New blog post up now. Why I’m encouraging all of you to fail in 2022!!

“New blog post up now! Why I'm encouraging you all to fail in 2022! https://t.co/10BfKQGYnw”

04/11/2021

Enjoy your celebration!

02/11/2021

Asking good questions …. it’s as crucial for good leadership as it as for good teaching … and basically good human relationships. This, combined with good listening, can change your perception and others’ perceptions of you. So go on, be honest… how good are you at asking good questions and really listening to the response?

Most leaders need to get better at it.