education – Mr Andrew ESL

How can we gamify our lesson plans?

Gamification is so important in teaching. If we gamify our lessons, we mask work as play. If we are playing, we don’t feel like we’re working….but we’re learning none the less. How can we do that? This is not a scientific review of implemented gamification strategies in the cycle 1 ESL primary context…we’re just talking.Continue reading “How can we gamify our lesson plans?”

The Mr Andrew ESL Method Routine: A Turnkey Approach to Lesson Planning

Kids love routine…well, maybe they don’t love it, but they like the stability of knowing where they’re going. That is why I believe that a “routine” is a big part of lesson planning and by extension classroom management. As we’ve seen before, language anxiety can create a filter that blocks input. But if the studentsContinue reading “The Mr Andrew ESL Method Routine: A Turnkey Approach to Lesson Planning”

Listen: C1 Evaluation 5

This is the final evaluation I do for my cycle 1 groups in term 2, the first term that I evaluate comprehension (Competency 1). I think it is important that I have 3 “tests” per term that comprehension is evaluated. The first two tests have covered most of half of the songs in my program,Continue reading “Listen: C1 Evaluation 5”

Motivation Part 2, part 2…Motivation part 2.2: Autonomy

In my previous post, I mentioned that Deci & Ryan talked about how the need for autonomy is one of our three basic psychological needs, and that fulfilling that need, creates a powerful form of motivation. Side-note, the other two needs making up Self-Determination Theory are the need for competence and relatedness. But we’ll thoseContinue reading “Motivation Part 2, part 2…Motivation part 2.2: Autonomy”

Motivation, part 2

Motivation….what is it, why is it, how is it, who is it? Ok maybe not who… But what is it? Psychology today describes it as “the desire to act in service of a goal”. It is one’s “will” to do something. “How” is it? It can be divided, binarily as intrinsic or extrinsic, coming fromContinue reading “Motivation, part 2”