Three Benefits of Blogging for English as a Foreign Language Teachers

Blogging for ELT
In a companion article post we discussed, “Five Reasons that Every EFL Teacher Should Blog”. In this article post, we’ll continue with the overall theme of blogging for English and foreign language teaching professionals with three initial benefits of blogging for ELT. Using Blogger or Word Press as free platforms for blogging, you do not need to have extensive knowledge and computer skills to set up, operate, post to and enjoy your own personal blog.


Photo: In Colombia, I have taught (and blogged about) English to university students, adults, English teachers and Embera Indians in the rain forests of the Choco

Benefit 1: Blogging Attracts Competent, Like-Minded Professionals
Just who are you writing for then? Well you, of course, first and foremost. However, when you write and post passionately on a topic a funny thing usually happens, you’ll soon attract others who share similar outlooks, goals, triumphs, problems, trials and tribulations as you do. They will in turn, share with you on how they cope with similar occurrences on their end, what they think, and what’s worked – or not – for them in their situations. You’ll know, in no uncertain terms, that you’re not alone.

Benefit 2: Blogging is an Excellent Way to Document Your Experiences
Do you now keep a diary, a teaching journal or an ELT scrapbook? How about your EFL learners? If you or they do, or you have thought about doing so, your blog can serve as your own personal space. There you can document “the good, the bad and the ugly” of your English language teaching situation on a daily or weekly basis. It can serve as an indicator of your growth as an ELT professional and a private person as well. It will document your changing thoughts, opinions and ideas for growing and improving in your profession, as well as your life.

Benefit 3: Blogging Forces You to Grow
Wherever you are now, whatever it is that you do, blogging will be a constant aid in your personal and professional development. You’ll need to learn new skills, update others and eliminate outdated thinking and practices. You’ll read more, research more and write more. You’ll also laugh more, learn more and hopefully, cry less due to having an outlet to share when you need it. Are you now living in a new, different or foreign country? Great! Then blog it. Remember, you can also add digital photographs, digital sound clips and even videos to your blog. Blogs are not just for writing in any more.

Finally, The Blog`s the Thing …
So there you have them. Three distinct benefits blogging can give to English or foreign language teaching professionals. Add to these the “Five Reasons that Every EFL Teacher Should Blog” and you’re out of excuses not to get started now. How about it? Now are you ready to start an ELT blog of your own? What are you waiting around for?


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, prolific writer, expert author and public speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 120 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Five Reasons Why Every English as a Foreign Language Teacher Should Blog

Deeper and Deeper into the 21st Century
As we delve deeper and deeper into the 21st century, blogs and blogging are becoming an essential tool for English and foreign language teaching professionals world wide. Why is this happening? Here are eight reasons why every English or foreign language teacher should have a blog. Two popular platforms are Blogger.com and Word Press.

Reason 1: Blogging Promotes Online Writing Skills
Welcome to the twenty-first century. The internet has all but superseded virtually every other form of media. Reading and writing for the web is no longer a luxury. It is an essential item for practicing professionals from many different fields. By reaching further and further into your own world for blogging inspiration, you’ll almost automatically be building your own skill sets in multiple areas of your personal and professional life.

Reason 2: Blogging and Writing Consistently Builds Language Proficiency
Whether you’re an English as a foreign language teacher or a foreign language learner, blogging and writing will definitely aid you in building your language skills. You’ll need to read more, brush up on your English grammar, spelling and vocabulary on a regular basis. This will in turn, be essential in building your English or foreign language proficiency.

Reason 3: Blogging Provides an Outlet for Sharing
Have you had things happen in your class room that you’d like to tell others about? What about the humorous things that learners say or ask? Are there strange, unusual or interesting occurrences in your EFL classes? Wouldn’t you like a way to consistently share these with your fellow EFL teachers worldwide? By blogging you most certainly can.

Reason 4: Blogging is Addictive and Fun
Often people find that when they’ve adapted to writing or blogging on a regular and consistent basis, it becomes additive and more enjoyable. You do it because you want to and not because you have to. Then, when you start getting regular feedback and comments from regular readers and subscribers, your sense of pride will help you to keep the information flowing.

Reason 5: Blogging Builds Grammar Knowledge
Keep spell check and grammar check turned on in your computer or word processing software and you’ll continually be challenged to update your knowledge of grammar and structure in English or the foreign language you’re using to blog. You’ll also start looking into new ways to express yourself, without being repetitive or redundant. Those little green lines will quickly become your improvement markers.

Finally, To Blog or Not to Blog?
So there you have them. Five reasons why every English or foreign language teaching professional should blog. Add to these that blogging is also a great way to keep up with current events and developments in the fields of language learning and education, and you’re practically out of excuses not to get started. How about it? Are you ready to start an ELT blog of your own? In a companion article post, “Three Benefits of Blogging for English as a Foreign Language Teachers” we’ll go further in depth on the theme of blogging for ELT.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, prolific writer, expert author and public speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 120 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Unique Ways of Evaluating Foreign Language Learners

Testing, Evaluation and Assessment in EFL

You know the looks you’re going to get whenever you “announce” an upcoming quiz, test or evaluation. Whether these are administration-mandated, curriculum-included, make-up or “recuperation-type” exams, English and foreign language learners alike, loathe them. Why not try some different, unique evaluation methods to help beat the “test-taking blues” which afflict virtually all EFL / ESL learners?

Here are Seven Different Testing, Assessment and Evaluation Types You Might Want to Consider:

• Traditional Exams
One all-too-often-used method of evaluating learner knowledge and language skills is by using standard examination forms. These can be prepared individually by each teacher or educational institution, be locally, regionally or globally produced. These types of evaluations, however, favor those learners who are “good” at taking tests.

• Learner-Produced Portfolios
Another popular, but less-frequently-used form of EFL learner evaluation consists of examination of a learner-produced portfolio of work at intervals during the school year or learning period. This allows for considerably more latitude for the learners to demonstrate their knowledge and language skills in ways which are more appealing to them individually.

• Expository Essays
A favored form in use in the UK and Europe, learners write detailed, annotated and foot-noted personal essays or compositions on focused topics. Their formal writing is based on what they have read up on, studied, experienced, been lectured to about or otherwise involved themselves with.

• Learning Projects
Time, resources, teacher skills and other factors permitting, individual or small group projects can be assigned which allow learners to demonstrate in-depth investigation and learning on a focused theme or topic. A variety of learning project types and methods of presenting their project can be applied, allowing for considerable latitude among a class group.

• Computer-Aided Language Evaluation
If an extensive web quest is assigned to the EFL / ESL learners, despite similar topics, websites visited, readings done and tasks involved, learners will internalize materials in completely different ways. Evaluations can also be computer-based with the examination program itself actually checking and grading each learner’s work. This is often most attractive to English language teachers who are time-strapped or teach large, multi-level groups of learners.

• Peer Evaluation
The learners themselves are often shocked at being given this option. They will prepare their own evaluations on the materials and skills they are working with. They can also suggest or recommend exam questions, evaluation activity types, length, frequency and duration of exams and evaluations. “Oh yes”, you say, “they’ll make up “easy” exams that everyone can surely pass”. No, they won’t. It’s surprising to many teachers just how thorough learner-produced exams can be.

• Learner-Prepared Presentations
You’ve planned a topic, resources and materials to be used, timing of class sessions, homework and assignments. Why not allow the learners to present what they’ve “internalized” in a presentation that they’ve selected for themselves? Most foreign language learners are often delighted to do so. They’ll usually do a much better job of preparing, studying and organizing their learning than many teachers imagine.

Eliminate the “Test-Taking Blues”

At least now you have an expanded arsenal of methods to use for evaluation of your English or other foreign language learners during the course of a school term, semester or scholastic year. It won’t completely eliminate the “test-taking blues”, but it’s a step in the right direction.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book, "If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Seven Guaranteed Ways to Fail English as a Foreign Language Class

Learning English or Other Foreign Language?

If learning English or some other foreign language simply doesn’t interest you at all, but you find yourself having to take English classes, here are seven guaranteed ways to ensure that you will fail. Add all of these to a deliberate lack of any English language practice at all, and you will soon be collecting bad grades and poor English language skills in droves.

Here are Seven Almost Guaranteed Ways to Fail English Class

• Don’t Study for the Exams
In most formal English or other foreign language classes, you’ll be required to take periodical exams or evaluations of some type. Don’t bother to study or prepare for these in any way. Try to get a zero if you can.

• Miss English Classes Often
In addition to not preparing for your English as a foreign language classes, you can just skip the classes altogether. Often there is a limit to the number of classes that can be missed and still have the possibility of passing. Exceed this limit and there you are, failing English classes can be just that simple. So fail early and avoid the late semester rush.

• Don’t Ever Ask Any Questions
Okay, so you’re in English as a foreign language class. “Yadda, yadda, yadda”, the teacher is explaining grammar. You don’t really understand but don’t ever ask any questions in class and you won’t disturb the EFL teacher. This will really help you to fail.

• Try NOT to Participate in English Class
You don’t want to disturb the English teacher, do you? So don’t raise your hand or volunteer to answer any questions in English class. No only that, but you shouldn’t participate in English class activities at all. Dialogues, games, practice activities and other dynamics shouldn’t concern you.

• Never Read or Use the English Class Course Book

If your English as a foreign language classes require the use of a course book, you may have to buy one but you certainly don’t ever have to open, read or use it in any way. Maybe you can even sell it to some other learner for next semester.

• Forget About Doing Homework and Assignments
Look, your free time is yours to do with as you please, why use it studying and practicing English? Don’t worry about doing homework. Forget those English class assignments. If the EFL teacher is pushy about checking books and collecting assignments, you could just copy the work from one of your buddies.

• Disrupt the Other Learners in English Class as Much as Possible
If some “authority” like the school Principal or your parents absolutely insist on your being in English class, then the least you can do is to make your presence known by disrupting English class activities as much as possible. Laugh, joke, talk with other learners in your first language, whatever you might feel in the mood for. This will help you to fail as quickly as possible.

In All Probability You Will Fail English
If you strictly follow these seven ways of approaching English classes, you can rest assured that in all probability you will fail English as a foreign language this term and every term. Encourage your classmates to do the same and you can help them to fail English classes too. Guaranteed.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book, “If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

¿No Habla Ingles: Should Immigrants to an English-Speaking Country be Required to Learn English?

The “Need” for Spanish?
When an AP news Wire service website recently posted an article on the fact that in certain cities in the USA, Spanish is replacing English as the lingua franca, hundreds of online reader comments ensued at “The Theologian’s Café”. The article, entitled “In Miami, Spanish is Becoming the Primary Language” detailed how English-speaking American citizens were moving out of the region as the need for Spanish began to encroach on their ability to function in the area, find work and conduct their everyday affairs.


Nearly 500 Comments from Readers
On the one hand, some readers felt that the US is a country of immigrants, a “melting pot”, so that acceptance of the Spanish language was the proper way to go. Other readers commented that the US should be more of a bi-lingual or multi-lingual country. But other readers opposed the apparent “takeover” of Spanish in the predominantly English-speaking USA, further citing that using their own first language (L1) is fine, but immigrants should at least make an effort to learn English. One reader even commented, “If I moved to Spain, I’d learn Spanish”.

Chinatown, Little Italy, Jackson Heights
Another strongly-emphasized point was that although the origins and culture of the USA are English-based, many cities with high immigrant populations have historically exhibited “clusters” and ethnic neighborhoods where the use of the English language was minimized or practically non-existent. The are many cities with a “Chinatown”, “Japan Town”, Little Italy, German-speaking, Polish-speaking, Russian-speaking, Spanish-speaking or other foreign language, religious or ethnic-based cultures where residents may use their original first language on an everyday basis. In New York City there are scores of “ethnic, religious and language or culture-based neighborhoods like “Jackson Heights” where Colombians predominate. These same or similar “pockets” exist in Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston and San Francisco, even Paris and London among many other cities across the USA and world wide, for example.

Additional Factors to Consider
Opinions expressed also took some additional factors into consideration. “I could understand older people not learning English”, said one comment, “…but younger immigrants should make an effort to learn the language”.

Comments from non-Spanish-speaking residents brought out the fact that many of them, “no longer felt comfortable” living in an environment where Spanish was becoming a requirement.

What Do You Think?
So what do you think readers, should non-English-speaking immigrants to the US or other English-speaking country be required to learn English?

If you move to the province of Quebec, in Canada, for example, Canadian immigration laws require you to learn French within one or two years. From personal experience I can tell you that if you immigrate to France and don’t learn to speak French, you’re in a lot of trouble, in more ways than one.

Would you try to learn a new language if you relocated to a foreign country where English, or your first language, wasn’t the lingua franca of the country? Should learning a new language be mandatory or voluntary?

Post your comments, opinions and ideas please!


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book, "If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

More Foods to Be Wary of When Traveling Abroad

Travel to Try New Foods
We said in the previous companion article that travel and teaching English as a foreign language abroad are some of the most interesting and mind-altering experiences we can have. We travel to meet new people, to experience new cultures, to see bold new sights and to try new foods. We need to be wary of some “exotic” foods though. You want to avoid turning your dream trip into a nightmare. Truly the quantities of bacteria, protozoa, molds, fungi and parasites that can be ingested through food and drink are mind-boggling.


Here Are Three More Foods to Be Wary of When Traveling Abroad

• Raw, Uncooked Foods
Here we go again. Guess what one of the reasons for cooking foods is? Yup, you’re right. One of them is to kill germs, protozoa, bacteria and other unwanted micro-organisms that are in the things we eat for food. Unless you’re sure of the source and treatment of what you’re about to eat, be very wary of seviches, escabiches, sushis, sushimis and other raw, uncooked or partially cooked foods while abroad. And don’t think that just because it’s “pricey” or served in a “good” restaurant or hotel, that it can’t “get you”. One of my worst cases of shellfish poisoning was when I ate from a seafood bar at a well-known Atlantic City Resort.

• Stale Foods and Condiments
How old is the “salsa” that you’re about to pour on your food? Has it been sitting there since it was made yesterday, last week or even, gulp, before…? If condiments are sitting out they are subject to insects, bacteria and molds. The longer they’re “out” the “deadlier” they can become. Bread, rolls, jellies, marmalades and jams, among other condiments are always suspect in my book. This is especially true when abroad where health and food standards may be “compromised”.

• Local “Delicacies”
We’re all tempted to try some local “delicacies” while abroad. Never mind how they tease you, insist on knowing what it is you’re going to be eating. How it’s prepared and how “fresh” it is or how recently it was prepared. I’m also extremely prejudiced against any dish made with blood or with blood products in or on it. In the Holy Bible books of Genesis 9:4 and Leviticus 7:26, Jehovah God distinctly says, “And you must not eat any blood in any places where you dwell, whether that of fowl or that of beast”.

Take heed. Be safe. Watch what you eat and drink.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book, "If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Foods That Can Make You Sick When You Travel Abroad

We Travel to Try New Foods
Travel and teaching English as a foreign language abroad are some of the most interesting and mind-altering experiences we can have. We travel to meet new people, to experience new cultures, to see bold new sights and to try new foods. We need to be careful though, some foods can make you really sick, turning your dream trip into a nightmare. The quantities of bacteria, protozoa, molds, fungi and parasites ingested from food is truly amazing.



Here Are Four Food Areas to Be Wary of When Traveling Abroad

• Water
The old saying, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink” That’s because ole horsey knows that water is most often unsafe for you to drink on foreign soil. Water supplies in many countries are subject to a multitude of factors you don’t want to know. Drink only bottled, treated (by you) or boiled (preferably by you) water when traveling abroad.

• Water-based Juices
Didn’t we just say, “don’t drink the water”? Well, if your lemonade or other juice is made with local water, you don’t know where the water comes from – and maybe you don’t want to know, either. The same holds true of ice and ice cubes. You can’t be sure what the water source was they are made from.

• Fresh Salads
Again, “don’t drink the water” holds true. Yes, even for fresh salads. What do you think they “washed” the vegetables with? If you don’t know or can’t be sure, you’d better not eat that garden salad. I don’t care how “good” it looks. You could be expressing your regrets later the same day quicker than you can ask, “where’s the toilet?”

• Street Vendor Foods
Are you kidding me? You’re not actually going to eat something from the cart of that slovenly-looking guy on the corner, are you? Hey, I know that you’re here to have new experiences and to try new things. But is a tour of all the local toilet facilities and emergency rooms on your list too? If not, then be very careful about what you put in your mouth (in more ways than one, too).

Be Wary When Traveling Abroad
By all means travel, explore new regions, see new sights and wonders, learn and grow. Just remember to be wary of these seven foods mentioned here when traveling abroad. That way you help yourself to be assured of good health when traveling and eating abroad. In the companion article to this series, “Foods to Be Wary of When Traveling Abroad”, we’ll detail some additional “delicacies” to watch out for. See you then.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.