Angel Said:

English teaching?

We Answered:

keep encouraging them to practice different dialogues, also give them some easy books to read, and then increase the level later on.

Robert Said:

What is the best way to teach English through activities?

We Answered:

good suggestion by earlier poster - relating it to real life, making it relevant.
this can also be done through role-playing. think of everyday situations & places & assign roles/characters to the students. eg. breakfast time at home with a family of 4, getting late to school,... you can do it in small groups or divide the class into groups & let each group present their version or each group can be given different scenarios.
you may have to assist them initially with the dialogues, etc. but soon they'll catch on ...

you could try spoken word games to bring in some more enjoyment or as a 'break' from more serious learning. this will make them more uninhibited. some games - I spy, I went shopping , telephone or chinese whispers, tongue-twisters, Botticelli , buzz, & so on. [you may find these on the net. or if you want details, email me]

make it a practice that every day one child has to pretend to be some famous personality [past or present] or even any literary or movie character. and s/he will have to speak about that personality or character for a few minutes. you may or may not allow them to use a written text.

divide the class into groups/ rows. each group will build a story using cue cards distributed to each child. you can give the groups similar words/phrases/situations or different ones. give them some time to create a story - humorous, drama, play, ... prize to the best group. they may even enact it or read it out loud, with each member participating.

hope these generate even better ideas
all the very best & have fun :-))

Jerry Said:

Anyone know any good websites with activities for teaching children English?

We Answered:

storyplace.org
Has a variety of stories and activities you can do relating to them. Divided into pre-elementary and elementary students with sounds and pictures and an interactive activity online for every story.

starfall.com
Has reading books and activities online where (in some stories) the characters can move around. Browse the site. I use "About me" very often and the kids love the idea of choosing everything about the character.

The British Council website
Has a lot of activities to do and songs that you can teach the students.

This should be a good start but there really is a lot available online.

If you are going to do a theme, make "flashcards" in powerpoint because you can add sound to them for a little variation. The pictures can even be made around a story you are going to tell.
"My boss seems to care more about the money"?!?!?!
Welcome to ESL.

Penny Said:

Any fun first day activities for teaching high school English?

We Answered:

Get Harry Wong's The First Days of School for the BEST suggestions of things that should be done in the first days to insure a successful year.

Good Luck!!

Have an AWESOME day!!

CosmicKelly :)

Derek Said:

Where can i get english activities materials for my oral english class?

We Answered:

What activties have you done? What level are your students. You've got to work with what they know and build on it. I've done these:
-Try simulating bank transactions (deposits, withdrawals, transfer, credit card info, etc.). Have some play the "teller/bank clerk" and others are clients.
-Set a tv/radio talk show. Several interviewers and interviewees.
-Set up a travel agency with clerks and clients.
-Simulate a cooking show.
-Do a department store. Some students are salespeople and others are cutomers. Give the "customers" items to look for and ask help from the salesperson.
-Simulate checking into /out of a hotel, or any other hotel situation.
-Set up a tourist information centre.
-If you've got access to fake phones, get them to call: the operator; a hotel or a restaurant to set up a reservation; a restaurant to order delivery or take out; a florist to order flowers for a certain occasion.

I try to use situations where students need to use real language. You need to prepare these well in advance. You can prepare scripts or have them ad lib - ad libbing is better because they have to use what they know and not rely on a script. Use your discretion.