Engaging All Learners, Not Just the Confident Few One common challenge in EFL classrooms is uneven participation. While some students eagerly volunteer answers, many others—often shy, anxious, or less confident in English—remain silent. Over time, this creates gaps in learning and engagement. Random nomination, sometimes called no-hands-up questioning, is a simple but powerful strategy that […]

Teaching writing to beginning English learners (ELLs) can feel like building a house while still mixing the cement. They often have ideas but lack the fundamental words and structures to express them. The wrong approach—jumping straight into paragraphs or complex sentences—can overwhelm and discourage them. After years in the classroom and researching what sticks, I’ve […]