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Learn English Through Videos and Games

One of my key philosophies about learning English is that it should be fun! Below I have compiled various websites with games and videos which I have used in my classes. Games ESL Games World This website is great to use in class. It has games that are played in teams (races, quizzes etc.) which can be played using a large variety of vocabulary groups and grammar points. Learn English Kids - Games This website is made by the British Council and features a variety of games aimed at younger learners. I find these games work better in one-on-one classes or in small groups. Learn English Kids - Tongue Twisters These tongue twisters can make teaching pronunciation fun! They can also be used as a short break in the class. Cambridge Games Although this website has only 8 games, some of them can come in very handy. The buzzing bees games are useful for revising senses and family members. ESL Puzzles This website is perhaps the best games website for one on one classes....
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My School

I was very fortunate to get a position as an Auxiliar at Colegio Nuestra Señora de la Almudena right in the centre of Madrid and beside Retiro Park. Before starting I assumed I would be working in a secondary school with teenagers. To my surprise, My classes and kids turned out to be much younger than I had expected or anticipated. Having never worked with or dealt with Children before, I was initially daunted by the idea. However, very soon I began  to realise what a bright, eager and attentive group these children make, although they can at times be quite trying of course! My classes are divided between several groups: I work with a class of roughly 30 children in Infantiles, so about 5 years old. My next class is a first grade class of about 25 children and most of my time is spent working with 2 groups of second graders, Class A and Class B. Each with 15 or 16 students. We work with a system that teaches Natural and Social science material through English. Thus f...
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Expectations as an Auxiliar

To be honest, when I first applied to the Auxiliar program I didn't fully know what to expect at all. I have several friends who have been with the program for years and they have only ever had good things to say, however I had no previous experience as a teacher or even working/interacting with children at all! I had been working at a corporate multinational in Chile and eventually found myself unfulfilled and unhappy in my position. I returned home to Ireland after several years and began looking online for work as an English teacher in Madrid. One of my friends recommended the program to me so I sent my application - Lucky for me I was seen as a suitable candidate and after several weeks of waiting and filling out applications I was off to Spain! At first I was worried that, having never taught English or organised my own classes, I wouldn't be capable of being an assistant and would be a burden to my main teacher, the ever patient and skillful Ms. Pilar S...
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A Warm Hello!

My name is Niall Barnwall McGuire and I hail from the misty, soggy yet wonderful land of Tipperary in the south of Ireland! I've been teaching English for just over 5 months now as an Auxiliar de Conversación in Madrid and, thus far, have found it a truly wonderful experience. I started working as an Auxiliar after spending 2 1/5 years living and working in Chile in South America and was eager to get involved once more in Latin culture. My hobbies include Music(I have 10 years experience playiung the drums), reading and traveling. I love experiencing different countries and cultures and teaching has enabled me to fulfill all these desires for which I am very grateful. I have a passion for teaching English and my core belief is that learning a foreign language should be fun and rewarding! I hope you enjoy reading my blog and gain an understanding to my philosophy as an English teacher. All the best & a very warm hello, Niall
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