Innovations in EFL Teaching: Hiring for the Modern Classroom

The landscape of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements and innovative teaching methodologies.

As educators seek to create more engaging and effective learning experiences, the adoption of blended learning and gamification has become increasingly prevalent. These innovations are not only transforming the classroom but also influencing the recruitment strategies for EFL teachers.

Modern Teaching Methods in EFL

Blended learning, which combines traditional face-to-face instruction with online learning activities, offers numerous benefits for EFL teaching. It allows for greater flexibility, enabling students to learn at their own pace and access resources from anywhere. This method also supports personalized learning, catering to individual student needs and enhancing overall engagement. In an EFL context, blended learning can facilitate language practice through interactive online exercises, virtual discussions, and multimedia content, making the learning process more dynamic and effective.

Gamification

Gamification involves the integration of game elements into educational activities to boost student motivation and participation. In EFL teaching, gamification can transform mundane language exercises into exciting challenges, promoting a more interactive and enjoyable learning experience. By incorporating elements such as points, badges, and leaderboards, teachers can create a competitive yet collaborative environment that encourages students to actively participate and improve their language skills. Gamification not only makes learning fun but also helps in better retention of knowledge through repeated practice and instant feedback.

Influence of Modern Methods on Recruitment

The adoption of blended learning and gamification in EFL teaching necessitates a shift in the skill sets required for teachers. Modern EFL educators need to be technologically proficient, adaptable, and innovative in their teaching strategies. They must be capable of using digital tools effectively and integrating them seamlessly into their lesson plans. As a result, recruitment efforts must focus on identifying candidates who possess these skills and are enthusiastic about leveraging technology to enhance learning outcomes.

Attracting Tech-Savvy Talent

The integration of modern teaching methods can attract younger, tech-savvy educators who are well-versed in using digital platforms and gamified learning tools. Job descriptions for EFL teachers now often highlight the need for expertise in blended learning and gamification, appealing to candidates who are eager to apply their technological skills in an educational setting. This shift not only broadens the pool of potential applicants but also ensures that the recruited teachers are well-equipped to meet the demands of contemporary EFL classrooms.

IT Recruitment Copenhagen

In the context of EFL teaching, IT recruitment plays a crucial role. Copenhagen is renowned for its innovative approach to education and its strong emphasis on integrating technology into teaching. The city’s recruitment landscape reflects this, with a growing demand for educators who can effectively utilize modern teaching tools. Schools and language institutions in Copenhagen are increasingly seeking candidates who are not only qualified in EFL teaching but also proficient in using digital platforms and gamified learning techniques. This trend highlights the importance of IT recruitment Copenhagen in shaping the future of EFL education in the region.

IT Recruitment Services

IT recruitment services are instrumental in supporting the hiring process for modern EFL teachers. These services specialize in identifying and attracting candidates with the necessary technological skills and teaching expertise. By leveraging their extensive networks and industry knowledge, IT recruitment agencies can connect educational institutions with highly qualified educators who are adept at using innovative teaching methods. This collaboration ensures that schools can find the right talent to implement blended learning and gamification effectively, thereby enhancing the quality of EFL education.

Moreover, IT recruitment services provide valuable support in streamlining the hiring process, from candidate sourcing to screening and interviewing. Their expertise in both education and technology sectors enables them to understand the specific needs of EFL institutions and match them with suitable candidates. This tailored approach not only saves time and resources but also improves the overall effectiveness of the recruitment process.

Case Studies and Examples

Several schools and institutions have successfully integrated modern teaching methods and adapted their recruitment strategies accordingly. For instance, a language school in Copenhagen implemented a blended learning program and recruited teachers with strong digital skills through a specialized IT recruitment agency. The result was a significant improvement in student engagement and learning outcomes, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach. Testimonials from teachers and recruiters further underscore the positive impact of innovations on the hiring process, highlighting the importance of embracing these changes.

Conclusion

The incorporation of blended learning and gamification in EFL teaching is revolutionizing the classroom experience and shaping recruitment strategies. Educational institutions must adapt to these innovations by seeking teachers who are technologically proficient and innovative in their teaching methods. By leveraging IT recruitment Copenhagen and collaborating with IT recruitment services, schools can find the right talent to meet the demands of modern EFL education. Embracing these changes will ensure that students receive a high-quality, engaging, and effective language learning experience.

Partner article

Christmas Vocabulary: ESL Taboo Cards

Another set of popular vocabulary game based on Taboo. This time, Christmas vocabulary. You know the drill, download, print, cut, and let your students have some fun while learning.

Download here>>>>>christmas-forbidden-words1
 
While you plan your holiday activities, enjoy this timeless classic.
 
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Other Forbidden Words card sets:

Travel/Holiday Vocabulary Cards

Media/Entertainment Vocabulary Card Game Based on Taboo.

Business English Vocabulary Card Game | Forbidden Words

Other resources:

Taboo Card Games

10 No-Prep and Low-Prep Fun ESL Christmas Activities

Storytelling Card Game

Last Days ESL Activities and Games : No-prep, Easy to Print

Negotiation Role-plays

Advent Calendar for ESL Students: 24 Ideas To Make Your Lesson Even More Fun!

Who doesn’t like Christmas?

This is my twist on a traditional advent calendar.

You will need a Christmas stocking, 24 slips of paper and your creativity!

Continue reading Advent Calendar for ESL Students: 24 Ideas To Make Your Lesson Even More Fun!

15 Back to School Activities: Icebreakers, Warm-ups, and Energizers

Fun and easy-to-use back to school activities

1) Learn your students’ names

New class, new faces, new names – a mess. This back to school activity has saved me multiple times. You can learn 30 new names in minutes, kids have fun and they painlessly learn new adjectives. Start by explaining how difficult it is for teachers to learn students’ names and that you need their help. At the end of the activity let them test you- they will be thrilled. Students need to introduce themselves by an adjective that starts with the same letter as their first name. You start by giving an example: My name is Al, so I am Artistic Al. The first student has to repeat your name after you – You are Artistic Al, and add their own –  I am Hilarious Hannah. The second student repeats the previous names and adds their own, and so on. At the end of the round, ask the first student(who had the easiest task) to say all the names backward. Finally, say all their names quickly(with or without the adjectives). Congrats, you’ve learned your new students’ names!

2) Oh, really?

Put the students in pairs and tell them they will have a conversation. The first student has to start with a short sentence, like this:

Student 1: I play tennis.

The other student responds: Oh, really?and adds extra information( a word or a phrase).

So it should be like this: Oh, really? I play tennis every day.

Student 1 continues: Oh, really? I play tennis every day with Serena Williams.

Student 2 responds: Oh, really? I play tennis every day with Serena Williams in Monaco.

Student 1 responds: Oh, really? I play tennis every day with Serena Williams in Monaco while feeding dolphins.

And so on. Can they keep up?

The student who will form the longest grammatically correct (and at least a little bit coherent) answer wins.

3) Questionnaire

Have your students write a questionnaire. Chose a subject(summer holiday, school, hobbies, general personality questions) or let them decide. After that, students circulate the classroom and ask their questions. They should talk to 4-5 people. When they finish, ask them to share any interesting answers, it usually leads to lively discussions.

Unfinished sentences ESL speaking activity is great for revising grammar, as a warm-up or a conversation starter.

It can be used with groups of various sizes as well as in one to one classes.

4) Unfinished sentences

Unfinished sentences ESL speaking activity is great for revising grammar, as a warm-up or a conversation starter. It’s a perfect back to school activity.

It can be used with groups of various sizes as well as in one to one classes.

Finish the sentence. Tell your story.

1. I was very surprised when__________________________________________________.

2. What I value most about my friends is_____________________________________.

3. I really regret_______________________________________________________________.

4. One of my favourite childhood memories is_______________________________.

5. I could never_______________________________________________________________

5) Find someone who

You can easily find tons of these worksheets online or just put together a couple of ideas.

Find somebody

-who doesn’t like chocolate.
-who is vegan.
-who has a tattoo.
-who speaks more than 2 languages.
-who’s never flown before.
-who wants to be famous.
-who has a special talent.

6) Vocabulary race

This is probably more suitable for younger kids. Put them into two teams, divide the board into two sections, give them a topic and let them run a relay with the marker to write as many words on the topic they know.

7) Get physical- Gordian knot

This activity doesn’t involve any language practice but it is great for kids who don’t know each other, to break the ice and create a positive atmosphere. It also shows you how the students communicate, who is a natural leader and how they deal with problems, so it’s quite useful.

You need an even number of students for this. The students stand in a tight circle. Tell them to close their eyes. Then they put their left hand in front of them and try to grab any free hand they can find. Eyes still closed. Repeat the same with the right hand. Eyes open. They should be intertwined – hence the Gordian knot. Without letting any hand go, they should untangle the knot and form a circle. Sometimes there are two or three smaller circles when they grabbed a hand right next to them. That’s ok, they will work it out after a couple of attempts.

8) Conversation questions

This speaking activity contains 50 ESL conversation questions for teenagers and adult learners. (16+, B1+). It is best for small groups or as a pair-work.

Conversation questions

9) One minute talk

This is a very simple, no-prep activity.  In pairs, students give each other a topic to talk about and they have to talk uninterrupted for a minute. It is more difficult than it sounds, especially with dry topics such as door, socks, or air. If your students lack imagination, you can use these ideas: One Minute Talk Cards.

10) What do they have in common?

This is mostly an activity you can use with new students, but it can be also used in larger classes where the students don’t know each other that well. Put students who don’t know (or don’t know well) each other into pairs and tell them to find out 3-5 things they have in common and 1-2 things they don’t have in common. Let them talk to more people. After that, discuss with the whole class what surprising or interesting things they’ve found out about their classmates.

11) Online quizzes

If your students like technology, you can use some fun interactive activities. You can find a list of 10 great sites here: 10 Websites To Make Your Lessons More Engaging And Fun.

12) Hypothetical questions

These conversation questions are more suitable for more advanced students as the questions are hypothetical, so it requires a knowledge of conditionals and a certain level of creativity. These can be also used for online classes.

Click here.

13) Vocabulary: taboo

A timeless classic! If you have time, you can make your own, if not try these:

Media/Entertainment Taboo Cards,
Travel/Holiday Vocabulary Cards
Health Taboo Cards
Food Taboo Cards.

14) Get them to know each other

A timer, fifteen questions and a lot of fun. A classroom appropriate variation of speed dating. Arrange the desks so that two students sit at one desk facing each other. Give each a set of “speed dating” questions. You can download a set here. Set a timer for a couple of minutes, and when the time’s up one student moves and another sits in their place.

15) Mini presentations

ESL conversation topics for intermediate and upper intermediate students. You can use the slideshow and share your screen on Zoom or other app when teaching online. Just click on the full screen option in the top right corner of the slideshow.

Click here.

More ideas for back to school activities

Buy Now

English Speaking Practice: 20 Conversation Topics

These conversations topics and questions will help any learner practice and master speaking English. Age or level of English doesn’t matter, what matters is practice, practice, practice.

So here you go, find a speaking partner, choose a topic and have fun!

1. Current situation

How are you doing?

How’s the job?

How’s the family?

How was your weekend?

2. Job / Work

What do you do?

How long have you worked there?

Do you like it?

How are your coworkers?

What’s the best / worst thing about being a (their job)?

3. News

What do you think about (current news story)?

Did you hear about (news story)?

How much do you follow the news?

What do you think doesn’t get enough news coverage?

What gets too much attention in the news?

How do you get your news?

4. Sports

Do you like (sport you like)?

What teams do you follow?

What was the last game you went to?

What do you think about (popular player / team that is doing well)?

Do you play any sports?

Who do you think will win the (major sports event)?

5. Not too distant future

What are your plans for the weekend?

Where are you planning to go for your next vacation?

Do you have anything exciting going on this week?

1. Free time

What do you do in your free time?

How much free time do you have?

What do you wish you had more time for?

2. Music

What kind of music are you into?

What music did you like when you were younger?

What’s your favorite band / singer?

Have you been to any concerts recently?

What’s your favorite album?

3. Movies

What type of movies do you like?

What’s your favorite movie?

Who’s your favorite actor / actress / director?

What’s the last movie you saw?

4. Food

What’s your favorite food / ethnic food / restaurant / thing to cook / seasonal food?

Do you like cooking?

How do you usually find good restaurants?

What weird foods have you tried?

5. Books

Do you like reading books?

What types of books do you like?

What’s the last book you read?

What’s your favorite book?

What book is overrated?

Are there any books you would really recommend I read?

6. TV

What shows do you watch?

What do you think about (popular TV show)?

Have you seen (TV show you like)?

What are some shows that ended that you were really into?

What show do I really need to check out?

7. Travel

Where have you been on vacation?

What did you like / dislike about (place they traveled)?

Where do you wish you could go?

What place do I really need to see?

What’s your favorite place you’ve been?

8. Hobbies

Do you have any hobbies?

How long have you been doing them?

How did you get started?

What common misconceptions do people have about your hobby?

What hobbies did you have when you were younger?

9. Learning / Studies

What kinds of things do you pick up easily?

What subjects were hardest for you in school?

What kinds of things are you interested in learning more about?

1. Where they grew up

What was your hometown like?

Did you enjoy where you grew up?

How much did where you grew up shape you?

What were some of the best and worst things about where you grew up?

2. Things they were into

What games did you play as a child?

What kind of hobbies did you have when you were growing up?

What cartoons or shows did you watch when you were a kid?

What fads or interests were you really into when you were younger?

3. Friends

Do you stay in touch with your old childhood friends?

What do you usually do when you hang out with your friends?

Do you prefer having a lot of friends or just a few close ones?

How long have you known your best friend?

How did you and your best friend meet?

4. Accomplishments

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

What awards or trophies have you won?

What is the next big thing you want to accomplish?

5. The distant future

What do you think life will be like in 10 / 25 / 50 / 100 years?

Do you think humanity is headed in a good direction?

What discovery could be made that would completely change the course of humanity?

How long would you like to live?

Other English speaking resources

One-Minute Talk: ESL/EFL Speaking Activities

50 ESL Conversation Questions for Teenagers and Adults

120 Conversation Starters

Popular Conversation Topics for (not only) Adults and Teenagers: 50 Questions

Conversation Starters: 30 Interesting Conversation Questions Not Only For ESL Students

ESL Negotiation Role plays: 12 Real-life Situations

Unfinished Sentences ESL Speaking Activity

ESL Speaking Activity: Conversation Cards

Business English Role-play Activity: Annoying Coworkers

There are certain types of annoying coworkers that can be found almost everywhere. You might be one of them. Do you know which one you are? Take this quiz.

The most frequent types are:

  • The Gossiper
  • The Wannabe Boss
  • The Talker
  • The Energy Vampire
  • The Kitchen Slob

These business English roles-plays can help your adult students practice dealing with annoying coworkers and office problems.

A1: You have an annoying co-worker who puts all her/his calls on speaker, spends a lot of time
discussing personal problems, invades your personal space, peeks on your computer screen
over your shoulder; and jumps into your conversations without invitation. You have tolerated
this behavior long enough and now you will talk to your co-worker and make an end to it.
B1: You work in an open space office and share a cubicle with an older co-worker. You have a
feeling that your co-worker does not like you but you have no idea why. You are friendly, laid
back, and chill. You spend a lot of time on your mobile phone, talking to your family, checking
your Instagram because you usually finish your work fast and are bored soon afterward. Your
co-worker wants to chat.


A2: You are a project manager who has been assigned to a new project. One of the members of
your new team is not co-operating with the other team members. He opposes every idea,
causes conflict, and is generally difficult to work with. Talk to him and solve the problem.
B2: You have worked for this company for 10 years and you feel unappreciated. You started to
work on a new project with co-workers who are not so experienced as you are and you think
your manager is incompetent. You complain a lot because things do not work as they should.
Your manager wants to talk to you.


A3: You are a good employee, you have great results and everybody likes you. The problem is
that you think your boss is stealing your ideas and presenting them as his/her own and you do
not get the deserved credit. Talk to your boss.
B3: You are the department manager of a large company. You have great employees and your
department has the best results. You know you could get promoted soon if you keep coming
up with great ideas. Your employee wants to talk to you.


A4: You maintain a healthy diet and prepare a fresh lunch for work every day. There is no
restaurant near your workplace and you have no time to drive somewhere for lunch during
your break. Last week somebody stole your lunch every day. You suspect a certain co-worker.
Talk to him/her.
B4: You started to work in a new company. There is no canteen and you have no time to drive
somewhere for lunch during your break but luckily there are free snacks in the staff kitchen
and you helped yourself to a free lunch a couple of times. Your co-worker wants to talk to you.


A5: Your co-worker is rude and thinks that she does not value your opinion. You think that
she is irresponsible and unreliable. Talk to her and express your concern.
B5: Recently, you have been overworked, your diary is full, and you have no time for personal
life. You are about to have a breakdown when your co-worker stops you to have a chat.

Download PDF: office problems role plays


Vocabulary game

Role-plays

Speaking Activities

 

Other role plays:

ESL/EFL Speaking Activity: Role Play Debate

Role-play: Making Polite Requests

At The Restaurant: ESL Pair Work and Role Play Lesson

ESL Role Play Worksheet: Travel/Holidays

 

 

ESL Communication Activity: Science Role-Plays

Can we teach communicative competence without critical thinking? Is the topic of vaccination or chemtrails too controversial?  Try this ESL role-play on science and let me know what you think.

Continue reading ESL Communication Activity: Science Role-Plays

12 Useful ESL Websites and Blogs That Inspire Me

Here is a list of 12 useful ESL  websites that inspire me.

Blog de Cristina

Cristina’s blog offers a vast array of resources including listening tasks, discussion topics, grammar and vocabulary exercises, various lesson plans and many other activities.

ESL Brains

A group of teachers creates video-based lessons mostly for adult learners but I’ve used their lessons with my teenage students with no problem. 

ESL Conversation Questions

Conversation questions, ice breakers, role plays,  lesson plans.

English Current

Lesson plans on various topics, grammar activities, quizzes and more.

Headsupenglish

ESL news lessons, mini-lessons, skill builders.

Lesson Plans Digger

Very useful and creative teaching materials and ideas.

Onestopenglish

I guess everyone knows this one. Most of the resources are available only through a paid subscription, but there are also many free lesson plans and activities. 

TeachingEnglish

Another well-known website with plenty of English teaching resources which include kids, teens, and adults. They also offer training courses and resources for teacher development.

TEFLtastic

Here you can find more than 2000 worksheets on a variety of topics.

Tim’s Free English Lesson Plans

Tim’s resources include vocabulary, writing, exam preparation, conversation classes, ted talk lessons and more.

Teach This

Worksheets, games, activities.  Most of the resources are accessible via paid membership, but there are some free resources available.

Linguahouse

ESL worksheets and lesson plans. This website also offers mainly paid resources and various types of subscriptions, but they have also plenty of free resources.

Resources we publish on EFL Ideas focus on:

.

Taboo Card Games

Role-plays

Speaking Activities

 

This is an updated version of a previously published article.

ESL/EFL Resources: Worksheets, Lesson Plans, Communication Activities and Games

Our new ESL/EFL resources are now available at our shop.

Check our our bundles of vocabulary activites, role-plays or communication activities.

If you want to save even more money, share our products on social media or refer to a friend for even more discount.


In this bundle, you will find five role-play activities dealing with topics such as:

  • Climate change
  • Car emissions
  • Recycling
  • Eating meat
  • Nuclear power

AND twelve role-play activities based on real-life situations. Topics include:

  • Family
  • School
  • Friends
  • Work

These two activities are our most popular ESL EFL resources.

  • 120 Conversation Starters
  • One-Minute Speaking Activity

230+ conversation cards on various topics.
Hours of no-prep speaking activities.


These Taboo vocabulary games are immensely popular. Three are better than one.


Not sure if you want to buy anything? Have a look at our free resources.

Online Exercises

Dominoes

Balderdash Game

Video Lessons

TEDtalk Lessons

What? When? Where? Asking Questions ESL Activity

ESL speaking activity to practice asking questions.

  1. Explain the activity.
  2. Emphasis that they can only ask questions, they can’t explain the words or give synonyms.
  3. Explain that students will get a point for every word that they guess. At the end, the pair with the highest number of points wins .
  4. Divide the students into pairs.
  5. Individually consult any unknown vocabulary and encourage students to use dictionaries and look up the words.
  6.  Give students a ten-minute time limit and have them start. After 10 minutes the students swap roles.
  7. If you want them to work a bit faster, allow only a five-minute time limit.

Download the activity here.

Other pair work activities

ESL Pair Work Activity: Teenager Issues
ESL Speaking Activity: Business English Role Plays
Ridiculous Holiday Complaints: Reading And Speaking(Role-play) ESL Lesson Plan
ESL Communication Activity: Science Role Plays

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