Have you ever found the perfect book? That one in which the topics and grammar points are presented in the exact way you would teach them; that one which gives you loads of supplementary material so that you never have to prepare anything on your own and squeeze your brain trying to write sentences and texts in which they can practise everything you have just taught. Well, I haven’t.
I love giving my students exercises that are different from the ones they have in their books because I think they have to be ready for everything. It is undeniable that there are some grammar points that need far more practice than others, and unfortunately, no book author seems to bare that in mind. At least, that I know of.
Searching the internet for extra material, I’ve found what is, for me, the best site for teachers. ESL Printables is a site massively used by teachers from all over the world. What is the key for its success and excellence? Its perfect system. The site offers you an incredibly wide variety of flashcards, worksheets, lesson plans, powerpoints, online exercises and many more things. But not everyone has access to them. To download the files you want, you need points. How do you get them? You share with your colleagues some material you have created. Once you’ve uploaded something you’ve authored, people will start downloading it, and every time someone does so, you get one point. And that’s pretty much how it works.
And as if finding exactly what you need ready for printing was not enough, the site also gives you the fantastic sense of belonging. There are many people who leave comments thanking you for your contribution and saying great things about your work. The system which, in a way, obliges you to do your bit, is also teaching you how rewarding it is to share.
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