TESOL Italy

🌟Our next Live! Connect Around the World event is coming up! Chat with your global colleagues, share classroom practices, and build your network on 17 January with special guest, Diane Larsen-Freeman, professor emerita of education and linguistics, research scientist emerita, and former director of the English Language Institute at the University of Michigan.

👩‍🏫No Such Thing as a “Best Practice”
Teaching is a complex process. As such, any innovative practice is affected not only by what is taking place within a particular classroom, but also by what is happening beyond it. Due to this internal/external dynamic, a teacher will always be uncertain about the effect of introducing a “best practice.” This uncertainty does not mean teachers should avoid experimentation or innovation. Rather, it highlights the importance of thoughtful adaptation and ongoing reflection. In this session, we will explore what it means to implement practices flexibly, examine why no single method works in all contexts, and revisit Earl Stevick’s riddle alongside N. S. Prabhu’s claim that there is no best method. Participants will leave with a renewed perspective on innovation as an adaptive, context-driven process rather than a fixed set of answers.

This event is free for both TESOL members and non-members.

📆 17 January
⏰ 8:00 a.m. ET (1:00 p.m. UTC)
🔗 Register:https://bit.ly/4aXI44f

📣 New webinar for teachers!

Is silence part of your communication toolkit?

Often mistaken for a lack of communication, silence is actually a profound form of connection. It’s the space where active listening occurs, and where attention is felt even without words.

✔️ Join us for an interactive webinar with Chantelle Walsh as we explore how silence can transform school environments, enhancing emotional safety and support deep learning.

Let’s rethink silence as a powerful tool in education! 👇

🔖 The power of silence
📅 7 October
🕘 2 PM (UTC+1)

🔗 https://bit.ly/3KuU0PF

🎉🍎It's Teacher Appreciation Week!

At International Association, we honor the incredible dedication, passion, and impact of English language educators around the world. Your work transforms lives, builds communities, and opens doors to opportunity through the power of language. 💬🌍

Thank you for inspiring learners, empowering voices, and shaping a more connected world—one lesson at a time. We appreciate you today and every day. 💙

👀Keep your eyes out this week for special discounts, giveaways, and resources from us!

Training Opportunity Abroad – Erasmus+ KA122 VET Program
27 Aprile 2025In Evidenza, News
We are pleased to announce a free training opportunity abroad within the framework of the Erasmus+ KA122 VET program.
Participants will have the chance to gain valuable international experience and develop their professional skills.

Extended date for applications to 12 May 2025

https://tesolitaly.org/training-opportunity-abroad-erasmus-ka122-vet-program/

www.tesolitaly.org

🌍 TESOL Italy Opportunity: Join the Erasmus+ KA122-VET Project! 🌍

TESOL Italy is pleased to announce the Call for Selection for the Erasmus+ KA122-VET project, "Formiamoci in Europa". This exciting initiative offers short-term mobility opportunities for English language educators and trainers to enhance their skills, explore innovative methodologies, and foster international collaboration.

📌 Destinations:

🇮🇪 Ireland
🇵🇹 Portugal
🇸🇪 Sweden
🇩🇰 Denmark

📌 Duration:

7 days of training + 2 travel days (Ireland, Portugal, Sweden)
5 days of training + 2 travel days (Denmark)

📌 Who Can Apply:

- Members of TESOL Italy’s Executive Committee, Local Groups, or active members of the Association.
- English language educators operating in Italy.

📌 Deadline: Submit your application by 2 May 2025 via PEC to [email protected].

📌 Requirements:

- European-format CV, motivational letter, self-assessment form, and valid ID.
- Commitment to organise dissemination activities post-mobility.

📌 Benefits:
- Expand your expertise in training, digital teaching, and international networking.
- 80% reimbursement of eligible expenses post-mobility.

Don't miss this chance to grow professionally and contribute to TESOL Italy’s mission of excellence in English language education!

The participation is reserved exclusively for those who are already members of TESOL Italy.

👉 For full details and application forms, visit our website:

ttps://tesolitaly.org/training-opportunity-abroad-erasmus-ka122-vet-program/

📌 TESOL Italy sulle Nuove Indicazioni Nazionali

Le Indicazioni Nazionali non sono emendabili perché:

– presentano forti criticità sia sul piano teorico sia su quello metodologico
– introducono un’articolazione frammentaria degli obiettivi nei cicli scolastici
– enfatizzano il ruolo delle lingue come strumento di cittadinanza globale, ma non forniscono indicazioni sul plurilinguismo, ignorando la presenza di alunni con background migratorio e la trasformazione multiculturale del sistema scolastico italiano
– la lingua inglese, eccessivamente enfatizzata, è presentata come lo strumento per lo sviluppo personale e cognitivo degli allievi, trascurando di fatto il ruolo e la funzione di tutte le lingue
– mancano riferimenti chiari agli obiettivi del Quadro Comune Europeo di Riferimento (QCER) e agli ultimi documenti prodotti sugli apprendimenti linguistici
– pur citando il QCER, e riportandone i livelli, non vengono fornite linee guida operative per garantire un’adeguata progressione delle competenze linguistiche
– non forniscono strategie didattiche per supportare gli studenti con bisogni educativi speciali, a differenza delle Indicazioni del 2012 in cui si faceva maggiore riferimento alla personalizzazione degli apprendimenti

👉 Ne chiediamo quindi il ritiro.

📎 In allegato:
Comunicazione definitiva sulle Nuove Indicazioni dalle Associazioni
– Osservazioni sull’insegnamento dell’italiano e delle lingue straniere nei materiali per il dibattito pubblico relativi alle Nuove Indicazioni 2025. Scuola dell’infanzia e Primo ciclo di istruzione -

👉 Vede le associazioni che hanno preparato e sottoscritto il documento nell’allegato.

Ho ho ho, fellow educators! 'Tis the season to sprinkle some yuletide magic into our classrooms! Let's deck the halls of learning with these festive exercises and watch our students' eyes light up brighter than Rudolph's nose. Remember, we're not just teaching; we're crafting Christmas memories that'll last longer than fruitcake. So, grab your metaphorical sleigh and let's make this holiday season at school merrier than a choir of elves on cocoa!After all, who needs Santa when you've got teachers spreading the gift of knowledge all year round?

Speaking Exercises

A1: Christmas Show and Tell
Ask students to bring a Christmas-related item to class and describe it in simple sentences. For example: "This is a red ornament. It is round."[5]

A2: Find Someone Who
Students mingle and ask each other questions about Christmas activities, such as "Do you like singing carols?" or "Have you ever made a snowman?"[4]

B1: Christmas Plans Discussion
In small groups, students discuss their Christmas plans using future tense. They can talk about gifts they will buy, food they will eat, and activities they will do[4].

Writing Exercises

A1: Christmas Card
Students write a simple Christmas card to a friend or family member using basic phrases like "Merry Christmas" and "I love you"[5].

A2: Letter to Santa
Learners write a short letter to Santa Claus, listing the gifts they want and why they've been good this year[1].

B1: Christmas Story
Students write a short story about their favorite Christmas memory or tradition, using past tense verbs[2].

Listening Exercises

A1: Christmas Song Gap-Fill
Play a simple Christmas song and have students fill in missing words in the lyrics[1].

A2: Christmas Instructions
Give students verbal instructions to draw a Christmas scene, such as "Draw a green tree with red ornaments"[3].

B1: Christmas Podcast
Play a short, simple podcast about Christmas traditions and have students answer comprehension questions[6].

Reading Exercises

A1: Christmas Vocabulary Matching
Provide Christmas-related words and pictures for students to match[3].

A2: Christmas Story Sequencing
Give students a simple Christmas story cut into strips and have them arrange the strips in the correct order[2].

B1: Christmas Around the World
Provide short texts about Christmas celebrations in different countries and have students answer comprehension questions[4].

Sources
[1] 5 Christmas Activities for Your ESL Lesson in Under 10 Minutes https://twee.com/blog/5-christmas-activities-for-your-esl-lesson-in-under-10-minutes/
[2] Christmas Speaking Activity - TEFL Lessons - tefllessons.com https://tefllessons.com/product/christmas-speaking-activity/
[3] Christmas | LearnEnglish Kids - British Council https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/category/topics/christmas
[4] [PDF] Christmas activities for all levelshttps://www.cambridgeitaly.it/file/pdf/VictoriaPenaChristmasActivities2022.pdf
[5] A Christmas lesson | TeachingEnglish | British Council https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/teaching-resources/teaching-primary/lesson-plans/level-2/christmas-lesson
[6] Christmas - All Things Topics https://www.allthingstopics.com/christmas.html

Attention, teachers of grown-ups! 'Tis the season to add some festive flair to your lessons without the fear of glitter explosions or sugar-fueled chaos. Let's jingle all the way to language proficiency with these yuletide exercises that are more satisfying than finding the end of the tape while wrapping presents. Remember, your adult learners may have outgrown Santa, but they haven't outgrown the joy of learning. So, spike your lesson plans with a dash of holiday spirit, and watch your students unwrap new skills faster than they'll devour office party snacks. After all, who says only kids get to have fun at Christmas? Let's make our classrooms merrier than an ugly sweater contest!

Speaking Exercises

A1: Christmas Show and Tell
Adults bring a Christmas-related item to class and describe it using simple sentences. For example: "This is a family ornament. It is old and special."

B1: Christmas Plans Discussion
In small groups, learners discuss their Christmas plans using future tense, talking about gifts they will buy, food they will prepare, and activities they will participate in.

C1: Christmas Debate
Students engage in a structured debate about a controversial Christmas topic, such as "Christmas has become too commercialized" or "Christmas traditions are becoming obsolete in modern society."

Writing Exercises

A2: Letter to a Friend
Learners write a short letter to a friend describing their Christmas plans and asking about the friend's holiday traditions.

B2: Christmas Story
Students write a short story about a memorable Christmas experience, using a variety of tenses and descriptive language.

C2: Holiday Op-Ed
Adults write an opinion piece about a Christmas-related issue, such as the environmental impact of Christmas celebrations or the cultural significance of holiday traditions in a globalized world.

Listening Exercises

A1: Christmas Song Gap-Fill
Play a simple Christmas song and have students fill in missing words in the lyrics, focusing on common holiday vocabulary.

B1: Christmas Podcast
Play a short podcast about Christmas traditions around the world and have students answer comprehension questions[4].

C1: TED Talk on Christmas
Students watch the TED Talk "How We Used Christmas Lights to Fight a War" by Jose Miguel Sokoloff and engage in a discussion about the power of Christmas symbolism[5].

Reading Exercises

A2: Christmas Around the World
Provide short texts about Christmas celebrations in different countries and have students answer comprehension questions[2].

B2: Christmas Poetry Analysis
Students read and analyze Christmas-themed poetry, discussing themes, imagery, and cultural references[5].

C2: Critical Analysis of "A Christmas Carol"
Learners read an excerpt from Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" and write a critical analysis of its themes and relevance to modern society.

These exercises are designed to challenge adult learners at various proficiency levels while incorporating festive themes and encouraging cultural discussions[7][8].

Sources
[1] Christmas Speaking Activity - TEFL Lessons - tefllessons.com https://tefllessons.com/product/christmas-speaking-activity/
[2] Christmas | A1 ESL Lesson Plan and Curriculum https://eslpals.com/general-english/A1/christmas-a1-esl-lesson
[3] 8 ESL Christmas Writing Activities - Totally Teach https://www.totallyteach.com/blog/8eslchristmaswritingactivities
[4] Christmas Songs Listening - Breakout English EFL Materials https://breakoutenglish.com/first-fce/christmas-songs-listening/
[5] 11 Festive ESL Christmas Lessons for Adults - FluentU https://www.fluentu.com/blog/educator-english/esl-christmas-lessons-for-adults-2/
[6] Entertaining Christmas vocabulary and speaking exercises - Eslflow https://eslflow.com/entertaining-christmas-vocabulary-and-speaking-exercises.html
[7] Christmas Speaking Activities - Breakout English https://breakoutenglish.com/advanced-cae/christmas-speaking-activities/
[8] Christmas | TeachingEnglish | British Council https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/teaching-resources/teaching-secondary/lesson-plans/pre-interemediate-a2/christmas
[9] Advanced ESL Christmas Activities for Adults - Fluentize https://app.fluentize.com/lesson/christmas-too-hard