Everything is connected
This is, probably, one of the most important posts I’ve published here. It’s pretty much a philosophy applied in teaching, but, in reality, it’s the worldview we...
Before the school year starts
If you are in the parts of the world where schools start in September and you happen to be a teacher, most likely you are already getting...
Guiding questions for GP&R Written Paper
Question 1 Question 2 Question 3
So, you suddenly teach a new course…
Life happens and, for different reasons, you may find yourself teaching a course you were not planning to do. At least not starting right now. Fear not,...
Language Change (9093) and how to approach it
When getting ready for A level exam, one inevitably notices that past papers for Language Change are available only for the last few years. It poses a...
‘Discipline with Dignity’: Quotes
The book was written by Richard L. Curwin, Allen N. Mendler, Brian D. Mendler and I read the fourth edition which is usually a good sign: plenty of readers...
Paper 4 Overview (A-Level English 9093)
The logical continuation of the post about Paper 3 is to write about Paper 4 of the A Level English language course (9093, Cambridge). The papers are...
Great [extra] books for A level English course
There is no secret that the coursebook for any A Level is not enough. I don’t know about other courses, but English Language the mark scheme clearly...
5 reasons A-Level English (9093) is my favourite course
I’ve been teaching A-Level English Language (CIE edition) for three years and it is definitely my subject of choice. Certainly, I have a bit of bias: the...
Teacher’s Etiquette 101
Some common points for the teachers who just started or are already really deep into schoolwork and need a moment to slow down and consider what they...
Lessons of 2020-2021
This school year has been a very special one, and this is not a compliment. The mess started in spring 2020 when we plunged all the way...
Teaching ESL in an international school. Here is what I’ve learnt…
My current work area is very specific: first of all, it is a multi-lingual group which is so common for international schools; second, our school uses English...