Every so often I run a subscriber survey for my site, using the feedback to inform future resources. One thing that came back from my last survey is that teachers actually don’t notice many of the new additions to the site. This is not that surprising, since we often stick with tried-and-tested materials and don’t actively seek out new types of resources.
So, in a blatant effort of marketing, I want to point out some of the new materials I have added in the last couple of years.
Firstly, over the summer of 2023, I added a large number of starter activities, usually in the form of PowerPoint slides. These can be found in the Y7/Primary, Y8 and Y9 pages. They often involve the very fashionable retrieval practice principle so would work well for departments who have a policy of starting all lessons with a retrieval starter. In actual fact, these starters can be used as fillers, plenaries, or just as part of a lesson sequence.The full list of these can be found in the Contents pages of the site.I occasionally add new starters to this collection, for example just today I uploaded some noughts and crosses games to the Y7/Primary page.
Next, later in 2023 I began a set of ‘Correct the transcript’ tasks on the Y10-11 page. These have been well received by some teachers. Others hadn’t noticed their inclusion. I like this type of exercise, which also goes under the name ‘Faulty transcript’. Students have a print-off of a shortish text. The teacher reads aloud a version of the same text with some minor differences in vocabulary. Students must underline where they hear differences and mark in what they heard. Nothing very original; indeed, an A-level board used to use the same exercise many years ago now. Intensive listening beats superficial, true/false-style listening.
In 2023 I also added a set of Tarsia puzzle exercises to the Y7/Primary page, using Mr Barton’s template. I think I got the idea from Clare Seccombe who has some on her excellent lightbulblanguages site. I’m generally not wild about exercises which focus on isolated words (e.g. Wordsearches) , but as an occasional, enjoyable variation for pupils, why not? Incidentally, I have also added further PowerPoints, sentence builders and parallel reading tasks to the same page.
To the Y8 page I have added a set of ‘pyramid translation’ exercises (in the Conti style). Don’t forget also the set of situational dialogues on that page. I sometimes think dialogues have gone out of fashion, but they are a useful, adaptable resource
The main addition to the Y9 page has been a set of ‘mosaic translations’, a format some teachers seem to like. Just like other newer resources on the site, these are aimed at a wide range of attainment. My site was probably aimed a little too much at higher-attainers, but there are now many resources at an easier level. In any case, nearly all the resources are editable if they need simplifying.
The Y10-11 page has had many updates over the last couple of years. For example,I have added answers to some older worksheets which didn’t have them. In addition, I have addd more video listening worksheets, for example some new ‘Portrait d’enfant’ videos to replace others which Arte had withdrawn from YouTube. Most importantly, I have begun this year and last to build up exam prep materials for the new GCSE. These jnclude reading comprehension exams, photo cards, role plays, reading aloud tasks and model essays.
The A-level page has received lost of updates, but the main innovation has been the regular addition of texts based in current affairs. Generally, in the past, I have avoided this type of resource, since they have a short shelf life, but I decided to change my policy on that, so now add a new resource every week or two, depending on what’s in the news.Because the A-level page is so full, I have focused more on updating older texts and, in some cases removing them if they cannot be salvaged. These updates are clearly marked on the Contents pages.
The page which I neglect is the Adult learners page. I occasionally write specific materials for this group, but I think the tutors who use my materials must dip into other pages. The range of proficiency is huge in adult classes, so a page for all adult learners is hard to get right.
To conclude, I’m looking forward to adding lost of new resources to the site in the future and welcome suggestions from teachers. I still find materials writing a creative and enjoyable task.
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