Of Halloween, the strange and the unusual

"I, myself, am strange and unusual."

And that was something I identified in myself at a very early age: when I was just a kid, and I watched the movie Beetlejuice for the first time, and I completely fell in love with it! I started dressing as Lidia, and I actually cut my hair like her, a memory that haunts me to this day because it was hideous (I didn't know back then that they have "people" to make her look beautiful; and I didn't have "people"). The movie is great: it is funny, colorful, fast-paced, full of action; Tim Burton at his best!

But that was in the late 80's, early 90's. Movies back then were much, much different than they are today. 

Of getting into the world of Comic Strips

Teaching teens is a great experience; one thing I really appreciate is that they are not yet adults, with formed opinions and preconceptions; but they are old enough to think for themselves.

However, treating teens as adults all the time can be tiring, on me and them. 

So, getting inspiration from the date we are celebrating (today is Children's Day in Brazil, and it happens to be a long weekend) I decided to have a new approach: I encouraged them to get in touch with their childish side!

How did I achieve it? Comic strips!

Of midtech, cultural misunderstandings and pronunciation

This week, I had another mishappening: a student said that she had traveled to the US, and while she was there, she went to a dinner party with her husband and some of his friends. During dinner, she decided to tell some stories about her kids, and she didn't understand the look of sheer shock on people when she said her kids were 'terrible'. She told me: "teacher, they are really terrible kids!" 

Of soccer as a cultural barrier breaker

Can we teach culture to teens?
Yes, we can! But, how?
All you need is a lesson plan, a great app and a passion in common. I chose to raise cultural awareness by discussing soccer, part of so many cultures.

I used the app from Cambridge, Cambridge English FC, available here: http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/learning-english/games-social/cambridge-english-fc/

With this app, students can learn vocabulary and grammar by answering English grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation questions to help their team pass the ball, get to the goal, shoot and score.


After playing, they are able to have a conversation about soccer with absolutely anyone in the world! They can learn about cultural differences and similarities, while having fun.

Of post-its: they can help you be a better person

I had a great class. 

It feels so great to say this. 

And my class really touched me in many ways: as a teacher, I felt proud and accomplished: they learned what they were supposed to.

As a human being, I felt like I made a difference.

Of adults, Google Classroom and Iron Maiden

Teaching adults is completely different than teaching teens. That much is obvious, right?

But I was having a hard time with one of my groups: they are all adults, and they are all really successful in their professional lives. 

So anything ordinary in the classroom, like a mistake or team-work, becomes such a big deal for them!  

Of tired students, comic books and Maker Space

Most of my students are teenagers, in their late teens. In that age when they start worrying about college, adult life and all things boring in life. And they feel so much pressure! From their school, with constant tests and mock tests and extra credits; from their parents, who want them to get into the best school ever in the universe; from their peers, who are trying to get into the same school as them.

So it comes to no surprise when they arrive in my classroom like zombies: barely awake, almost drooling, exhausted! 

And I know how important English is for their life, so I would like them to give me more than they do. How do I achieve that?