The Totally Teach blog
Your guide to teaching abroad, career growth, and everything in between
Christmas decorations
With Christmas creeping around the corner the most exciting thing to do is the décor. It just gives it that special Christmas spirit feeling! As Andy Williams said in his song “it is the most wonderful time of the year”, and it certainly is. Most teachers like to decorate their classrooms with fun Christmas decor to celebrate.
Here are some decoration ideas to help transform your classroom into a Christmas wonderland.
Dining etiquette in China
Let’s set the scene - it’s your first time in China and you’re looking for a great dining area. You’re excited to try new delicacies and traditional meals, but you don’t know the intricacies of Chinese dining etiquette and, on top of that, you’re not sure how to eat without your trustworthy silverware!
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered if you’re unfamiliar with Chinese dining etiquette. Here are a few tips to help you out when dining in China.
Least popular words of the English language
Have you ever come across a word that made you cringe or feel uncomfortable? You’re not alone! Unpopular words are mostly identified by the association or the sound of that word. We’ve gathered 9 words that you might find repulsive and the reason behind it.
How to work in China in 2023
Most people are now aware that since March 2020 (when China restricted its borders due to COVID) it’s been a complete obstacle course - and near impossible - for most foreigners to get into China for work.
Ways to manage anxiety.
Having occasional feelings of anxiety is a normal part of life. Luckily there are ways to manage and control anxiety and the impact it has on your daily activities as a teacher. Forming good habits can be a step toward overcoming and minimizing stress and anxiety.
We’ve gathered some tips to get you started.
Pronunciation activities for ESL students.
Acing clear and correct pronunciation of the English language will help your students become better at communicating. By practicing pronouncing words correctly, your students will gain confidence when speaking English inside and outside of the classroom.
Here are a few ESL pronunciation activities for younger learners, teens, and adults that might just do the trick.
10 more unique foods of China.
China is not only home to beautiful natural landscapes and historical relics, but it is the origin of some tasty and unique dishes.
Here are a few unusual and unique Chinese cuisines:
Do you know these verbs?
The English language is filled with many unusual words and phrases that we don’t use. These words are still useful and true to their meanings. Here is a collection of verbs that you can use to describe your actions. Maybe you’ll find use for these words in your everyday life!
Top Teaching Hacks
Organise your classroom, solve challenging storage problems and save time with these great teaching hacks!
Great teacher mugs!
Express your feelings or personality as a teacher by using a customised mug during teatime. Other than being a cool accessory, these mugs are also quite useful for having your favourite beverage!
Tidy up your classroom!
Believe it or not, but your classroom says a lot about you as a teacher. Here's a list of ideas and tips to consider when decorating your class to ensure maximum engagement in the classroom!
6 tips to get your students talking
Do you have a class that doesn’t like to chat much? Check out our tips and strategies to get your ESL students more comfortable with talking in the classroom.
Mental health activities for students
In today’s fast-paced environment, students regularly experience stress and anxiety. Schools and classrooms can be an ideal place to raise awareness of mental health and to educate students on the subject.
Using movies in the classroom
Teachers have used movies as an effective tool for language lessons for decades. Let’s have a look at why film is such an effective learning tool and at some great resources to help you get started with this effective teaching method.
The most beautiful words of the English language
What makes a word beautiful? Is it the meaning and definition behind the word or is it the overall sound of the word that makes it unique and special? We’ve collected 20 beautiful words that fit the description perfectly!
Getting back into your routine as a teacher
Long breaks are great to recover, but they also present a serious threat to your daily routine! Learning how to prevent such disruptions is an essential skill for all teachers.
Back to school activities for your students
It’s tempting to start a school year by diving into the curriculum and getting students started on those important tasks immediately.
Getting prepped for the next school year
The summer holidays are almost over and it’s almost another brand new school year. Are you ready?
Random words of the English language
We generally tend to use the same words over and over in our everyday lives and conversations. Why not add some random English words to your vocabulary?
Maintaining concentration with young learners
Studies show that students aged from 5 – 15 have an average concentration span of 15 – 60 minutes. It’s our duty as ESL teachers to plan our lessons based on our students’ capability to concentrate.