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
The Radio – ESL Short Story Lesson Plan (B1–B2) When Nate begins hearing strange noises from a broken radio in his garage, he thinks it’s just faulty wiring — until the voice on the radio says his name. The Radio is a suspenseful short story lesson that combines mystery, fear, and imagination to keep students
The Radio — a short story for English reading and speaking Read More »
Introduction Love is one of the most powerful emotions we experience — and one of the hardest to describe. Whether it’s romantic love, friendship, or family affection, English offers countless ways to express how we feel. But using the right words can be tricky. Should you say I’m in love or I love you? What’s
Introduction Asking for help might sound simple, but in English the way you ask can completely change how polite, friendly, or confident you sound. In this guide, I want to show you 25 different ways to ask for help, grouped by tone — formal, casual, and urgent — each with a short, natural dialogue so you
25 Ways to Ask for Help in English (with Real-Life Examples) Read More »
Why This Matters Sharing experiences is one of the quickest ways to build connection and confidence in English. Learners often know the forms but freeze when deciding whether to say I’ve been or I went. This article explains the difference in plain language, gives memorable patterns, and includes practice tasks you can use in class
Talking About Experiences in English: Present Perfect and Past Simple Made Easy Read More »