Page 5 - ELG2309 Sep Issue 486

WELCOME . EDITOR’S LETTER

Creating an engaging classroom

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges we face as
teachers is keeping students engaged and active. theteam

We’ve all been there… stood in front of a group of students, heads in hands, eyes tracing the displays
around the room, subtly and not-so-subtly muttering to each other, all while we try desperately to MELANIE BUTLER,
hold their attention through any means possible! editor-in-chief,
Sometimes the content we teach is boring, technical, theoretical – simply uninteresting, no matter started teaching EFL in
Iran in 1975. She worked
how we try to spin it. It can’t always be avoided. But what if that content were to be taught by a for the BBC World Service,
celebrity? No different; just a familiar, exciting face for your students to fawn over? Pearson/Longman and
It may sound impossible, but Nasy Pfanner did just that! You can find out how – and read her tips MET magazine before
– over on page 30. taking over at the Gazette in 1987 and
Of course, bringing a celeb to your classroom isn’t always also launching Study Travel magazine.
Wondering the easiest task! If you’re looking for other fun, interesting Educated in 10 schools in seven countries,
she speaks fluent French and Spanish, and
ideas to engage your students, why not try using poetry? rather rusty Italian.
where to teach, Matthew Kloosterman shares his best tips on how to include melanie@elgazette.com
classic poems and creative writing into your lessons for all
learn, or choosing ages and all levels. Take a look on page 29. LAUREN BILLINGS,
Moving outside the classroom, we catch-up with Joseph editor, has a master’s
an institution for Seaton from At Risk Teachers on page 10. Previously, in Publishing from
Joseph told the Gazette about the plight of teachers in the University of
someone else? Afghanistan and their escape from the Taliban. Since he last Roehampton. She
previously taught English
spoke with us, we ask Joseph, ‘where are they now?’ in Japan, and speaks
On page 12, we speak with an anonymous contributor on Australia’s continuing problems with conversational Japanese.
teacher shortages. Why is Australia struggling to attract and keep teachers? editor@elgazette.com
Last – but most certainly not least – it’s that time of year again! We take you through this
year’s rankings of the top UK language schools. Wondering where to teach, learn, or choosing an GILL RAGSDALE,
institution for someone else? Everything you need to know to make the right decision is here. research news reporter,
We are also discussing why so many schools have dropped from the rankings this year, which has a PhD in Evolutionary
Anthropology from
schools to keep an eye on, and how the chain schools have fared this year. All this and more starts Cambridge and teaches
over on page 13! Psychology with the Open
Happy reading, and as always, we hope you enjoy your EL Gazette! University. She also holds
an RSA-Cert TEFL. Gill has taught EFL in
the UK, Turkey, Egypt and to refugees in
LAUREN BILLINGS, EDITOR the Calais ‘Jungle’ in France. She currently
teaches English to refugees in the UK.
SHUTTERSTOCK CHARLOTTE DYASON,

senior sales, a graduate
of Canterbury and
experienced education
marketer, Charlotte has a
wealth of expertise and
knowledge to assist with
promotional campaigns.
info@elgazette.com, tel 020 3137 9119.

IAN CARTER,
publisher, has a
Masters in Strategic
Business Management
(Westminster) and
30 years’ publishing
experience in the
professional and academic sector.
elgazette@media-shed.co.uk,
tel 020 3475 6811.
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Copyright 2023. ISSN 1368-2628.00
University of Manchester is in the top 5% this year.
editorial@elgazette.com 5