ESOL Queen

Over the years, I’ve written lots of posts on this blog, but I’ve rarely shared much about my own journey. So, here’s a little look at what led me into teaching—and why I would recommend ESOL as a career.       My interest in teaching English to international students began when I was a teenager. My family regularly hosted students from other countries visiting the UK, particularly from Germany, China and Hong Kong, so I grew up with many international friends. I really enjoyed studying French at school and later had the opportunity to work as a short-term English teaching assistant in France while studying for my A Levels.  This experience led me to pursue a degree in English Language and TEFL at Swansea University, where I achieved a First-Class degree. After graduating, I decided to take my Cert TESOL course in Bournemouth.                       The Cert TESOL course taught me how to teach English with co...

Hi everyone, Thank you so much to everyone who has visited my blog, shared my resources and spread the word about my blog! What started as a small lockdown project in 2020 with just a few views each month has now expanded to over a 1000 visits per month, which is really exciting! I often receive many requests to edit my resources. Unfortunately, with the restrictions on Bloggler I can only upload resources via Google Docs, which makes access to 'edit' documents a bit tricky, as it would mean everyone could edit at the same time. If anyone knows a solution to this, I would be really grateful for ideas 😀  Whilst, I will do my best to respond to you, I currently do not have a lot of time to answer all the requests due to my current work commitments.  However, you can find the majority of my resources on the website ISLcollective under the name of Squeen , with the options to download and edit as you wish.  You can access my materials here: English ESL worksheets, activities...

 I've created two new PowerPoints for zero/ low literacy students to use on Zoom, this time focusing on colours and clothes (using British English). I have tried to break up the vocabulary into simple phonics patterns (CVC/ CVCC etc.) and to use words relevant to my students everyday lives.  I have struggled to find adult appropriate and phonics friendly materials for very low English learners who have zero / low literacy skills which uses British English. Whilst there is a lot of amazing American resources out there, I do feel it is important to familarise my students with British English words, as that is what they are most likely to encounter when shopping in Britain. Therefore, I have decided to include words like "jumper" instead of "sweater" and "trousers" instead of "pants".  Do you struggle with the differences between British and American English when teaching low level/ beginner English? What approach do you take? I'd love to re...

 I've been very busy over the last few weeks preparing my students for their ESOL and Functional Skills writing exams. As this year I am teaching Entry 1 and Entry 3 students, a lot of my new resources will be made for these levels, but can easily be adapted to higher or lower students.  Both the ESOL and Functional Skills writing exams require students to write specific types of texts with a specific purpose. Therefore these writing activities aim to reflect the tasks my students might come across both in exams and also everyday life.  The Entry 1 activities have been specifically scaffolded to show students an example of a note or letter and then prompt creativity by encouraging students to use their own words and write their own personalized letter. A lot low level students struggle with writing their own thoughts and ideas, so I make sure I spend a lot of time gathering ideas with them as a whole class before doing the gap fill and independent writing tasks.  Her...

 I've been asked by a few Primary and secondary School teacher's recently about resources and materials for EAL students (English as an Additional Language) who have just started school in the UK and have low English levels. Whilst I am not an EAL specialist, I do think absolute beginner (low literacy) ESOL materials can be relevant to both teenagers and adults. For primary school children there are a lot of other great resources out there as well.  Do you teach EAL or ESOL? What websites do you use? Please post in the comments box below 😀 Here are my best free websites if your students have low/ zero literacy skills in English or their first language: Teach ABC English  https://www.teachabcenglish.com/ Shaw English Phonics  https://shawenglish.com/tag/phonics-2/ Scottish ESOL Literacy  https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/33697.html New to ESOL  https://esol.excellencegateway.org.uk/content/etf308 Bogglesworld ESL  https://bogglesworldesl.com/phonics.htm ...

It's been a long time in coming, but I have been so excited to go back to face-to-face teaching this week. Sure, there have been a lot of challenges, but it has been fun as well. My students are so happy to see each other in person (rather than on Zoom) and know that we are taking every precaution for their health and safety. So what's changed? Firstly, we have very strict rules for wearing face coverings, hand sanitizing  and keeping a 1 meter difference at all times. Everyone is temperature checked when they arrive (if they are above 37.5 we will send them home) and asked if they have any Covid-19 symptoms (a new continuous cough, high temperature and loss of taste or smell). We must cover our faces when in communal areas such as the hall and toilets, but we are allowed to uncover our faces when sat in the classroom (as all  the chairs are 1 meter apart). I have been provided with a face shield, which I wear in the classroom when I am near students. I have used this a lot wh...

I've uploaded more Level 1 and Level 2 ESOL and Functional Skills worksheets to my blog. Check them out here on:  https://www.esolqueen.co.uk/p/entry-3-level-1-and-level-2.html Here are a few examples: Presentations: Presentation Plan Presentation about Food Grammar: Tense Review Worksheet Writing:   Write a letter of complaint about windmills Write about a traditional story

  TEFL vs ESOL Teaching: I’m often asked what are the main differences between teaching TEFL and ESOL in the UK? After all teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) sounds pretty similar to teaching English as a second language (ESOL), doesn’t it? I’ve spent several years working for both the TEFL and ESOL sectors in Plymouth, UK. I’ve taught in two private TEFL language schools and also at an ESOL school. Nowadays, I tend to teach ESOL students from September to June and then in private TEFL school in July and August  [1] .   Generally, I would describe the main difference between TEFL and ESOL in the UK, is that students in private TEFL language schools come to learn English for a short period of time (either for a holiday or course) with the intention of returning to their home country afterwards or going on to study at a university in the UK. The ESOL sector, on the other hand is for students who have moved to the UK permanently. This could be because they...

Check out my new Entry 1 Grammar worksheets: Be with I and You in + - and ? https://drive.google.com/file/d/15KuOryO4Hud5XzON25exm5Sfk3-pVKpQ/view?usp=sharing Be with He, She and It in + - and ? https://drive.google.com/file/d/1clFwyph3GgdHxavi53n1jhfh2DZQyHiC/view?usp=sharing Be with We and They in + - and ? https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n6-xfCa3B7gzIyfXW7CXj7iDsMhZI5JV/view?usp=sharing Wh- Questions: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11c8o8jvF4xcLGmyfNTNwNZw3vAo6Fwm5/view?usp=sharing Wh- Questions and answers using be : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CWNOpGW35nNI021_i6lVUO3YDH8DdTlI/view?usp=sharing Present Simple Verb Examples and Activities: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jOMMbGew0iMmnXdESquw1JJdefq6w_PM/view?usp=sharing Be and Present Simple Word Order: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PSN0qkocrsMPULq63V4MY5-plk2Kf08K/view?usp=sharing

Check out my pages for ESOL and Functional Skills teaching materials: Pre-Entry:  https://www.esolqueen.co.uk/p/my-pre-entry-absolute-beginner-resources.html Entry 1 and 2:  https://www.esolqueen.co.uk/p/entry-1-and-2-resources.html Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2:  https://www.esolqueen.co.uk/p/entry-3-level-1-and-level-2.html I will be adding more materials over the next few weeks. Let me know if there's anything in particular you would like to see. 😀

When I describe my job to people I realise that I use a lot of acronyms and TEFL specific words which can be quite confusing if you are not familiar with English language teaching. Here are a few explanations of terms which are often used: ESOL / ESOL students : English for Speakers of Other Languages. This term is often used to refer to students who have moved to the UK because they are asylum seekers, refugees or migrant workers. EFL/ ESL students : English as a Foreign/ Second Language. This term is often used more generally for anyone studying English (as their first language is different). It is often used for students in private language schools, students who come to study and return to their country or for students who study English in their own country. EAL : English as An Additional Language. This term is used in primary/ secondary schools for children whose first language is not English. TEFL : This is a general term for someone who teaches English as a Foreign Langua...