Using Colored Pens
The use of colored pens in class is a great way to help students learn their tenses. The idea is quite simple, by using color coding for the various tenses students learn to associate that color with the tense (right brain learning). This in turn adds another learning tool that students can use on their own, remembering which color goes with which tense adds a visual component to their learning style.
Here is a suggested color coding scheme which has been suggested by English Experience that you can use in class. Of course, you can choose any color you wish. To really make this work well, make sure that students are also provided with colored pens, pencils or crayons so that they can actively create their own beautiful compositions.
Present Simple - Dark Blue
Present Continuous - Light Blue
Past Simple - Brown
Present Perfect - Green
Future forms - Yellow
And here is a little example exercise using the verb "to ride" using the colors.
Jack rides his bike every day. He usually gets up at 7 o'clock and rides to work. As a matter of fact, he is on his way to work at the moment. Look at him riding his bike! Last week, he rode his bike over 100 miles. This week he has ridden his bike only 40, but then again, it is only Wednesday. Jack is going to ride his bike into the countryside this weekend where he hope he will be able to ride on some mountain trails.
More "Whole Brain" Techniques and Activities
Have you had any experience using "whole brain", NLP, Suggestopedia, Mind Maps or the like? Would you like to know more? Join the discussion in the forum.
Using Music in the Classroom
Six years ago researchers reported that people scored better on a standard IQ test after listening to Mozart. You would be surprised at how much music can also help English learners.
The Brain: An overview
A visual explanation of the different parts of the brain, how they work and an example ESL EFL exercise employing the specific area.
Helpful Drawing Hints
"A picture paints a thousand words" - Easy techniques to make quick sketches that will help any artistically challenged teacher - like myself! - use drawings on the board to encourage and stimulate class discussions.
Brain Gym
The brain is an organ and can be physically stimulated to improve learning. Use these simple exercises to help your students concentrate better and improve their learning abilities.
Suggestopedia: Lesson Plan
Introduction and lesson plan to a "concert" using the suggestopedia approach to effective/affective learning.
Multiple Intelligences
About Guide Kimeiko Hotta Dover provides this wonderful resource to information concerning: brain and intelligence, multiple intelligence theory and applications, learning styles, adult learning theory and more.
