Free English Videos for Students and Teachers

3-minute guide to the Bill of Rights – Belinda Stutzman

Andrea Giordano — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:36:25 +0000

Have you spent much time looking at The Bill of Rights? If you have or if you have not, it is always good to review this information from time to time. I found this video on TedEd’s YouTube page. This three minute guide walks you through the first 10 amendments of the US Constitution (The Bill of Rights) in a way that’s simple and easy to understand. Enjoy!

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3-minute guide to the Bill of Rights – Belinda Stutzman from Free English Videos for Students and Teachers - Watch and Learn English for Free

How to handle problem students

Andrea Giordano — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 03:22:24 +0000

If you’ve spent any time teaching, you’ve had problem students. They are kids who, despite your desperate pleas, refuse to submit their homework, stay seated in their desks, or even show up to class. Each semester, you hope you won’t have them, but despite your hopes and prayers, they show up. Ready to throw out your lessons, disrupt your flow, and try your sanity. Ironically, I usually like these problem kids. Their sly tricks and cunning ways remind me of what it must have been like to teach Zach Morris in “Saved by the Bell.” The naked truth is that they wouldn’t be so disruptive to other students if they weren’t so magnetic.

So what do we do with these problem students? How do we champion progress and learning in our classrooms if we have at least one who has set his will on dismantling our grand plans?

I have three pieces of advice for handling problem students.

Be fierce. Do not let your Zach Morris run your class. Use an appropriately strong tone when dealing with disruption, and don’t delay in quelling a storm. Your students will appreciate that someone is in control of their class.
Deal individually. No one deserves to be humiliated in public. When you have a stern word or grave concern to speak with the student about, do it privately. You are much more likely to get honest answers, and are sure to command that student’s attention when it’s just the two of you.
Speak a positive identity. Nine times out of ten, your problem student has been told continuously that he or she is disruptive and rebellious. To some level, they have agreed with those negative identities that others have heaped on them. That’s why it takes one brave soul (you) to search out that student’s positive attributes and affirm that individual with that new identity. If I have a student who is dramatic, emotional, and explosive, I pull her aside and tell her what a great gift of passion she has. I tell her that she was made to be a great catalyst for change because only truly passionate people can challenge pervasive mindsets.

What have been successful strategies that you’ve used with your problem students? What utter failures have you endured? Tweet me @eslbasics, or follow me at facebook.com/eslbasics

Happy teaching!

How to handle problem students from Free English Videos for Students and Teachers - Watch and Learn English for Free

What are condolences?

Andrea Giordano — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 05:55:07 +0000

When someone experiences the loss of a loved one to give them your condolences is a way of expressing sympathy for the person in sorrow. Being on the receiving end of condolences eases a bit of the pain of the loss knowing that people are behind you and supporting you in your sadness.

Have you ever given or received condolences?

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What are condolences? from Free English Videos for Students and Teachers - Watch and Learn English for Free

What does compatible mean?

Andrea Giordano — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 05:55:48 +0000

Often times people say that opposites attract. People with distinctly different personalities are drawn to one another because they complement each other to create a harmonious pair. People who work together well are considered compatible. I would consider my husband and I very compatible partners. Do you have anyone who you feel you are compatible with?

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What does compatible mean? from Free English Videos for Students and Teachers - Watch and Learn English for Free

What is coercion?

Andrea Giordano — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 05:55:52 +0000

Being forced to do something is never fun. When someone coerces you they are using power, intimidation or threats to control you and make you act in a certain way. An example of coercion would be if your boss told you to finish a project by Friday or you would not receive your Christmas bonus.

Have you ever been coerced?

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What is coercion? from Free English Videos for Students and Teachers - Watch and Learn English for Free

What is castigate?

Andrea Giordano — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 05:55:20 +0000

No one likes to face negative consequences for their actions, and the worst of all consequences is to be punished. A severe version of punishment is the verb castigate. You might say that a terrorist is castigated for his crimes.

Have you ever been castigated or severely punished?

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What is castigate? from Free English Videos for Students and Teachers - Watch and Learn English for Free

What is a buffoon?

Andrea Giordano — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 05:55:40 +0000

Clowns are goofy and they like to make people laugh by acting silly. Some might say they are buffoons. Calling someone a buffoon in regular life is not a very nice thing to say, but it refers to someone who is ridiculous, a fool or even stupid.

Have you ever met someone who acted like a buffoon?

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What is a buffoon? from Free English Videos for Students and Teachers - Watch and Learn English for Free

What is a bobblehead?

Josh — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 05:55:12 +0000

A bobblehead is a type of toy that typically has a stiff body and a large wobbly head that moves back and forth. My dad gave me and my husband a bobblehead toy on our wedding day that was created to look especially like us.

What is your favorite type of toy?

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What is a bobblehead? from Free English Videos for Students and Teachers - Watch and Learn English for Free

What does falling apart mean?

Andrea Giordano — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 05:55:11 +0000

When things fall apart that means the situation is deteriorating or crumbling and not working. An example of this would be if your plumbing, air conditioner, and a window in your house broke all at the same time.

Have you ever had things fall apart?

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What does falling apart mean? from Free English Videos for Students and Teachers - Watch and Learn English for Free

What is a bat?

Andrea Giordano — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 05:55:59 +0000

In the new batman movie The Dark Knight Rises, Bruce Wayne, the main character, has a fear of bats as a child and then embraces his fear as an adult and turns himself into the superhero batman. Bats are winged nocturnal mammals that eat bugs and fruit. They sleep in caves and can range in size and their location of habitat varies widely.

Have you ever seen a bat in real life? If not, have you seen any of the Batman movies?

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What is a bat? from Free English Videos for Students and Teachers - Watch and Learn English for Free

What does bereave mean?

Andrea Giordano — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 05:55:16 +0000

The word bereave means to mourn or grieve the loss of something or someone. Many people go through a season of bereavement when a loved one dies. Have you ever been bereaved?

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What does bereave mean? from Free English Videos for Students and Teachers - Watch and Learn English for Free