ELT Young learner educator | Materials writer |
Training and resources in inquiry-based learning
26/04/2026
I spent a lovely two days in Bolzano/Bozen in South Tyrol training teachers in active learning methodologies and inquiry-based learning. Thank you to Yvonne, Monika and Karin from the teacher training department for inviting me and for the perfect organisation!
21/04/2026
I was sad to hear that ELT Teacher to Writer is coming to an end. These books really helped me when I started out as a materials writer and I still re-read sections from time to time. This is my collection on Kindle.
The books will only be available to buy until 30th of April, so get them while you can! I'll probably be adding a few more to my virtual bookshelf.
Thank you to Karen, Karen and Sue at for all the dedication over the years!
Last minute prep for our PCE tomorrow! I'm really excited about our collab with for The Inclusivity Bootcamp.
It's not too late to join us. If you're in Brighton you can register at the registration desk from 8am tomorrow.
And no, I'm not going to eat all those pastries today! Breakfast provided by .artisan.cakery
.yltsig.official
Unboxing my author copies of My friend Allie, the new primary course from DELTA Publishing. I'm so happy to receive these after two years working really hard on this project! It's been a really special project to work on, as it's a course with inclusion at its heart. Find out more about the course and view sample units on DELTA's website.
Our webcon starts in just five days time, on Friday 28th November!
Join us for three days of fantastic professional development with talks by teachers and trainers all over the world.
Register now! Find the link on our .yltsig.official Insta (please follow our new account, too!)
See you there!
18/10/2025
Ready to share my ideas on teaching shy and introverted students at the Mini-conference!
25/09/2025
✨ The YLT SIG Web Conference is coming!🌍
Are you passionate about teaching young learners and teenagers? Join us online on 28th – 30th November 2025 for three days full of ideas, inspiration, and connection. This online event brings together educators from around the world to explore fresh perspectives, innovative classroom ideas, and research-informed practice in ELT.
Expect inspiring plenary talks, practical workshops, and opportunities to connect with colleagues who share your interests. Whether you’re an experienced teacher or just starting out, there’s something here for everyone who wants to support young people on their language-learning journey.
Information and registration here! https://www.iatefl.org/event-details/ #/?id=682
🗓 Mark your calendar and be ready to learn, share, and grow with us!
29/05/2024
It's been a while since I did this. Today's main task is to write a story for a sample unit I'm working on, so I thought it would be nice to get outside before it gets too hot.
What's your favourite outdoor spot for creative work?
10/05/2024
Are your lessons lacking excitement? Struggling with student motivation and managing different learner needs? This is your very last chance to sign up for my group programme, the Inspiring Inquiries Training Pathway - we start on Monday!
Discover how to create a supportive and inclusive classroom environment that fosters student engagement. With this six-week online course, you'll gain a thorough understanding of inquiry-based learning and be equipped to deliver effective and engaging lessons in the English language young learner classroom.
Find out more about the course here:
Don’t delay! Our first live session is on Thursday 16th May but you’ll have access to the course materials and our Facebook group from Sunday 12th IF you sign up today.
Register now. https://buff.ly/4b4x8i1
09/05/2024
Are your primary students digital natives? Of course they are! So, you might be surprised to see that I don't often talk about digital tools these days. However today is different, although be warned, I'm not going to share some fancy new AI tool - the oldies are the goodies!
First, let's think about the essentials of inquiry-based learning. Imagine an inquiry wall that sparks curiosity and collaboration. Where we write the learners questions, thoughts and ideas. Often we do this as a physical display in the classroom. But we can also do it digitally with...
you guessed it - Padlet!
Padlet is like a digital version of an inquiry wall, where students can add information at every stage of their learning journey. It's versatile, customizable, and simple to use.
In the first column, students share what they already know about the topic. In the I think column, they can jot down their ideas and uncertainties. And, of course, the I wonder column is reserved for all those burning questions.
As they find information during the research stage, they can add their discoveries to a new column called I learn. It's like a digital KWL chart, but way cooler! 😎
The best part? Padlet allows students to contribute outside of class too. They can add new questions, ideas, and even multimedia elements from the comfort of their homes.
For older students, you can create separate Padlet boards for each group, documenting their entire inquiry process. They can showcase their learning through images, documents, videos, and more!
So, why not give Padlet a try for your next inquiry topic? If you want a cool topic, check out the resource pack Space 🚀🌌 https://buff.ly/3QlRA64
This is all Jo Gakonga's fault! I’m sorry for exposing your poor ears to my terrible musical skills 🙉
Wonder box, wonder box, what’s inside? Wonder box, wonder box, give us a surprise! - Have you got it in your head yet? Ok, it’s not quite as original as the LearnEnglishKids Robot Songs (wonderfully written and produced by CreativeListening) 😅
In any case, having a wonder box routine is a really nice way to generate interest and start the lesson with all the children engaged.
You might think it's just for preschoolers, but this magical box can actually work wonders with older children too.
With my wonder box, I try to be creative. Each day, there's a new surprise inside, and I challenge my students to guess what's hidden within before inviting one of them to reveal the answer. It might be some pictures, some realia, some unconnected words or a seemingly random object.
It's like a mini provocation in inquiry-based learning. It sparks curiosity and can be a useful tool to see what language students remember. Plus, it's loads of fun!
But the wonder box isn't just for the beginning of a lesson. It can also be a powerful tool during the questions stage of an inquiry.
Simply give your students slips of paper to write down their questions and drop them into the wonder box. Keep it accessible at all times, so they can add new questions whenever inspiration strikes.
If you're planning a hands-on experiment or a creative building activity, you can use the wonder box to hold all the materials. Let your students brainstorm how they'll use them, predict the results, and dive into practical inquiry.
So, whether you're exploring food, animals, or the mysteries of the universe, the wonder box is your secret weapon to spark curiosity and promote wonder in your classroom.
Ready to try an inquiry? Check out my Inspiring Inquiries Resource Packs (https://buff.ly/3JDHKZo or link in bio) to supercharge your lessons!
What would you put in your wonder box? Share your thoughts below! 👇✨
[Video shows Michelle singing and playing ukulele to a simple song]
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