The CEFR is a standard for measuring language proficiency. It helps language teachers accurately gauge students’ English levels as well as their own.
Author: Kristine Totanes
Hello there! My name is Kristine, and I'm an ESL instructor who has a zest for both teaching and learning. A U.S.-born Filipino American who teaches ESL to expatriates and short-term students living in the Philippines, I've learned how to reconcile seemingly opposing cultures and foster my own sense of identity through my own cultural and national heritage. I've also gained a wider appreciation of other people’s beliefs and cultural values–and even become a better teacher as a result.
As the founder of The English Blog, I long to connect with teachers from all cultural backgrounds and walks of life. Besides sharing my own experiences and tips on ESL teaching, I hope to gain insights and advice from fellow English teachers around the world. As a lifelong learner, I'll never stop expanding my circle and improving my craft as a teacher, so please don't hesitate to send me a message through The English Blog and say hello!
Thriving as an Introverted ESL Teacher
I am an introvert, and I am a teacher. As paradoxical as that may sound, introverted teachers enjoy a wealth of benefits that many extroverted teachers may not have, such as the ability to easily connect with quiet, introverted students and the kind of creativity that comes from planning lessons in their “caves of solitude.”…
How to Model Dialogues in the Classroom
Having spent countless hours in the ESL classroom as a teacher, I have learned the importance of modeling for students, especially for those at the beginner level. So, what exactly is “modeling”? Yes, it is most commonly known as the work of a fashion model, but, in the ESL classroom, it is known as a…
Why Teach English as a Second Language?
With the Western world’s growing political, economic, and cultural influence on the rest of society, it should come as no surprise that English is increasing in usage as a global lingua franca. According to Mark Robson (2013), Director of English and Exams at the British Council, 1.75 billion people around the world speak English at a “useful”…
ESA Teaching Methodology
Whether you are teaching a 1:1 writing class or a group conversation class, you have come to class with a plan, also known as a “lesson plan,” a guide for what you will teach your students and how you will teach them. While the rigidity of your lesson plan’s structure may depend on a host…