Our company directors, George and Daisy, just returned from Mazatlan, Mexico where they met with Lynne and many volunteers of Friends of Mexico. This contact greatly enriched their one week stay. Friends of Mexico is an organization committed to improving the teaching of English in the elementary schools. Assisting those living in the poor communities of the world is an important part of Learning English with Laughter’s philosophy, so George and Daisy were delighted to meet Friends of Mexico’s enthusiastic members. The URL for this organization is: http://www.friendsofmexicoac.org

At this time Friends of Mexico has provided a covered play area in one school. This gives the children a place out of the sun and dust in the dry season and away from the mud during the wet season. They are also working to provide a choice of nutritious snacks, rather than junk food, in the small kiosk that seems to be made of Coke signs.

Read full article >>>

Pictures from Mexico

ESL BINGO!

One of our customers recently wrote to me with some feedback on our bingo games. I thought her comments were so typical and highlighted some misunderstandings and problems with ESL bingo.

Her comments were --

It took a long time for my students to learn how the game is played but once they did they had a lot of fun.

This is a very typical comment and illustrates a ms-conception. If native speakers were to play the same bingo game, it would be simple because we understand the vocabulary and the rules. And if we had questions about the rules, we could easily consult the rules and clarify our concerns.

However, for a native speaker, the situation is very different. They don't understand the vocabulary, not the rules, where are in a foreign language. So, it is going to take some time to set up, and probably the first game will be difficult, but after that, our experience is students can't get enough!

Here are some pointers and suggestions for playing bingo:

    * Prepare before you start. Before class, review the vocabulary and make a note of any difficult words. Before actually playing the game, introduce the words. This can be made into a game as well. Instead of simply telling students the definitions, say something like, "If you are going to win, you will need to know these words. Here are some clues for winning." or "I'm going to tell you 3 clues, are you listening?"

    * The first game MAY be difficult, but preparation will
help. With proper preparation, you will see a huge change on the second or third game. They are so eager to win they will learn the rest of the vocabulary themselves.

    * Students love to help each other, and love to be the one that 'knows.' Use this to your advantage by allowing students to work together for the first game. Depending on the group, you may want to allow some helping and working together on the second game as well. After that, students should have a grasp of the game and some of the vocabulary to play without sharing or helping.

We have found Bingo to be an excellent supplemental activity for ESL students. If played at the end of the class, students leave their English class feeling positive and look forward to coming back. 

ESL Bingo Games >>>

Cutting Costs on Children's Curriculum

The world has entered a period of difficult times. Millions of people have lost their jobs, companies that have had many years of success are closing their doors and people around the world are looking for ways to reduce their expenses. This article suggests some ideas that could reduce the costs of providing essential English second language materials to your children.

Most ESL materials are prepared to meet the needs of a diversity of cultures. It is a financial necessity for companies that are publishing printed books and selling them worldwide to include a wide variety of content. Due to the differences in cultures not all content can be appropriate for all countries. Many children in some Asian countries begin English classes at the age of three. The emphasis is on learning facts and producing perfect work. Alternatively, in the South American countries the children start learning English between the ages of seven and ten if it is offered at all. The emphasis is on building positive social relationships through language, music and art.

ESL Curriculum for Children!

• Print as many copies as required.
  
• Printing and writing practice are incorporated into every lesson.
• Phonics is reinforced with pictures.
• Stories are told in simple rhyming verse.
• Games teach and practice Listening Comprehension
• Role Play and Group Discussions for practicing oral language skills.

ESL JOBS!

Welcome to our new ESL JOBS section which has proved to be very popular with our subscribers. Below are jobs posted on
March 10/09. For updates every day, please visit our website for daily updates.

• TEACH ENGLISH IN ROMANIA (Transylvania)     March 8th, 2009 11:03 PM Rent, utilities paid for. Growing school of 250 students, 10 friendly staff. An excellent opportunity for outreach. Approximate 15-18 hours of teaching per week + meetings. More >>>

  Nanchang Public University in Jiangxi province     March 8th, 2009 11:03 PM International roundtrip flight ticket provided. Free accommodation (equipped with TV, kitchen, washer, internet and bathroom)... More >>>

  TEFL JOBS IN THAILAND (available now)     March 8th, 2009 11:03 PM Many TEFL jobs in great schools throughout Thailand are available now! Contracts will begin in MAY and are for at least 10 months with a 30,000+ monthly salary. More >>>

  English Teacher Needed ASAP     March 8th, 2009 11:03 PM As a teacher, you will be responsible for: interacting with children and encouraging their growth as English speakers; using POLY curriculum to maintain and improve students English language proficiency... More >>>

  Beachside Position in Yangyang, South Korea     March 8th, 2009 11:03 PM Native English Speaker with a good command of the English Language. Be a citizen of one of the 8 major English speaking countries... More >>>

  University Languange Education Center -- KOREA     March 8th, 2009 11:03 PM 3 Positions University Language Education Center Afternoon Block Shift 2.3 Mil. Location : Jinju. Start Date: 2009-03-20... More >>>

  TEACH ENGLISH IN SPAIN (Tenerife)     March 7th, 2009 04:03 PM We are looking for full-time and part-time English teachers. EU passport preferable. Initial training on our teaching techniques will be given. We are a closely knit team that has been together for nearly 6 years... More >>>

  Teach in Munich, Germany     March 7th, 2009 04:03 PM accelingua is a professional language-service provider and our international team of specialists possess outstanding professional qualifications. We put our heart and soul into providing first-class service to our customers. More >>>

  TEACH IN THAILAND (AYC Thailand )     March 7th, 2009 04:03 PM AYC Intercultural Programs Thailand is looking for enthusiastic and responsible native English teachers with Bachelor degree for our next academic year, which will start at the beginning of May, to teach conversational English in Thailand. More >>>

  Korea`s #1 ESL Employer For Secure Contracts     March 7th, 2009 04:03 PM As the world faces severe economic recession, including Korea, now more than ever is it crucial for esl teachers to choose the right teaching job with the right esl employer. More >>>

  Volunteer ESL Teacher -- THAILAND     March 7th, 2009 04:03 PM Small school in Bangkok Thailand is looking for a volunteer. Esl Teacher to teach English to only about 100 children. More >>>

  Business English Trainer in Stuttgart wanted -- GERMANY     March 7th, 2009 04:03 PM For our projects in the area of Stuttgart, we are looking for a qualified candidate to fill the freelance position of English Language Trainer (m/f). More >>>

  Public School Positions with the National Ministry of Education     March 7th, 2009 04:03 PM These are excellent ESL teaching opportunities for teachers who are looking to spread their wings and gain invaluable and transferable teaching experience in public schools in Korea. More >>>

  Female Kindergarten Teacher Wanted (half day work, full-time pay)     March 7th, 2009 04:03 PM Monthly salary : NT$ 50,000. Accommodation : NT$ 5,000/mo. Medical Insurance : Provided. Paid Vacation/Year: 14 days + all national and public holidays... More >>>

  Teach English in Vietnam     March 7th, 2009 04:03 PM Hold a CELTA or equivalent TEFL course or be willing to undertake one in Ho Chi Minh. Be available for a 12 month contract period overseas. More >>>

  ESL TEACHERS NEEDED IN TAIWAN APPLY NOW     March 7th, 2009 04:03 PM Candidates must be a degree/associate degree holder – any discipline. Must be a native English speaker... More >>>

  Middle school in Wenzhou, Zhejiang     March 7th, 2009 04:03 PM The salary is 5000-6000 rmb salary, 18-20 teaching hours per week. School requires teachers to sign 1 year contract. School will supply Free accommodations, 8000rmb round trip ticket and 2200rmb travel allowance... More >>>

  ESL Jobs Available in Tainan     March 7th, 2009 04:03 PM Great opportunity teaching Business English in Taipei, Taiwan, EIE, Effective International English a highly respected school of business English is currently looking to expand its team of skilled instructors. More >>>

  TEACH ENGLISH IN MUNICH, GERMANY     March 4th, 2009 03:03 PM accelingua is a professional language-service provider and our international team of specialists possess outstanding professional qualifications. We put our heart and soul into providing first-class service to our customers. More >>>

  Beachside Government Learning Center Hiring in Gangwon, South Korea     March 4th, 2009 03:03 PM 2.5-2.9 Million/ 22 hrs per week/ 4 weeks vacation: Government Education Center on the BEACH... More >>>

Newsletter Archives!

Beginners Games package

• Activity 1 -- Do you have, Does she have 10 Picture Activity cards with questions and answers.
  
  
• Activity 2 -- Singular and Plural question and answer exercise
  Oral and written singular and plural exercise with pictures.
  
  
• Activity 3 -- Complete the Sentence
  Written question and answer exercise.
  
  
• Activity 4 - Group Question and answer exercise
  Do you, are you question and answer exercise.
  
  
• Activity 5 - Group Questions and answer exercise
  Printed cars for group question and answer exercise.
   
  
• Activity 6 - What did you do on the weekend?
  Oral and written Small Group Activity.
  
  

• Activity 1 - Picture Cards
  9 Picture cards with 4 questions each for students to practice the past tense. 
  
• Activity 2  -- Written Exercise
  Writing Activity for the past tense -- fill in the blanks.
  
  
• Activity 3  - Oral Picture Exercise
  Question and answer picture cards -- 9 picture cards - 3 questions each. Includes vocabulary and answers. 
  
  
• Activity 4 -- Oral Question and Answer Exercise
  5 pictures with 7 questions each. Can be done orally in groups, with the whole class or as a written exercise.
  
  
• Activity 5 -- Role Play
  Using 14 role play cards students have a conversation in small groups about their friend 5 years ago.

This Newsletter is brought to you by Learning English with Laughter Ltd.!
http://www.efl-esl.com The author can be contacted at:
brian@efl-esl.com or by visiting:http://www.efl-esl.com/contact.htm
No part of this document may be reproduced without the permission
of the author. (C) Learning English with Laughter Ltd.  2009 All rights reserved.