Introduction Most teachers have experienced this moment. You finish reading a story. You pause. You ask an open question. It’s a good question. You thought about this long and hard. It should invite lots of responses. But nothing happens. The room stays quiet. A few students avoid eye contact. Someone eventually gives a short, careful […]
Why Some Stories Kill Discussion (And Others Create It Instantly) Read More »
Introduction: When stories become “time-fillers” We have all done it. It’s Friday, you’ve come to the end of a section in the dreaded textbook that your school insists you use, the students are tired and bored of endlessly trying to improve their English. So, you bring in a short story. And everyone loves stories, right?
How English Learners Misuse Stories (And How Teachers Can Fix It) Read More »
Introduction Teachers often say they want to use stories in class. And why not? It’s a great idea. But then they search for short stories online suitable for ESL classes, download a few PDFs, and bring them into the lesson with good intentions. The idea feels right. Stories are motivating. Stories are “real English”. And
What Makes a Short Story Actually Work in an English Class? Read More »
Introduction Many English learners think describing a person or a place means listing facts. So you often hear things like: My father is tall. My father wears glasses. My father has black hair. Or when describing a hometown: My hometown is small. It is near the sea. There are many shops. There is nothing wrong
How to Describe a Person or Place Without Sounding Boring Read More »
Introduction Planning engaging English lessons can feel overwhelming — especially when time is short. I know the feeling. Many teachers want to use stories in the classroom, but worry that story-based lessons require hours of preparation. The good news? They don’t. With a clear structure — and the right mindset — you can build an
How to Build a Story-Based English Lesson in 20 Minutes Read More »
Introduction Teaching vocabulary and grammar is one of the biggest challenges in the language classroom. If you are a teacher, you know that this can be a nightmare to deal with. Many learners can memorise word lists or complete grammar exercises, but they still struggle to use English naturally when speaking or writing. In my
Using Storytelling to Teach Vocabulary and Grammar Naturally Read More »
This is the second lesson in the new ManWrites series — The Hobbies & Free Time Series – “Let’s Talk About…” Each lesson in this series explores a popular hobby or interest through an easy-to-read short story, followed by practical classroom activities. Learners can read, discuss, and share their own experiences while improving their English
Let’s Talk About Gardening — talking about hobbies and interests in English Read More »
Welcome to the second lesson in my new A Day in the Life… series. This is a growing collection of short, story-based lessons all about different jobs and working lives. Each lesson takes you inside a typical day at work, showing what people really do, how they talk, and what challenges or rewards their job
Introduction Meeting new people and starting conversations can feel daunting—especially when English isn’t your first language. Many ESL learners feel shy, anxious, or unsure how to begin. But often, it’s not just about confidence—sometimes you simply don’t know what to say. Your mind goes blank, your tongue feels tied, and the right words just won’t
Breaking the Ice: Effective Strategies for ESL Learners in Social Settings Read More »
“How much progress is my child making in English?” It’s a question I used to hear all the time. And let’s be very clear, it is a fair question to ask. Parents want to know, and have the right to know, whether the money, time, and effort they’re investing in their child’s (often expensive) English