An interesting app for teaching phonics

by David | Phonics, Starter, Technology

Here’s an interesting free phonics teaching app called Phonics Builder by Maple Leaf Learning. You’ll get an idea of its application from the video above. I’m thinking of giving it a try in my Starter classes because I would normally use a...

The secret to expanding your phonics games bank

by David | Games, Phonics, Tips

When I first started teaching phonics, the teachers were given a small games bank of ideas for using in our phonics lessons. Later, I realised that, whilst some games (like duck duck goose) are really good for teaching phonics, the secret to expanding your phonics...

Using puppets in your phonics class

by David | Phonics

Puppets are often used to help with error correction in very young learner classes, because they can help correct errors in a way that doesn’t make the student feel self-conscious, or wrong. The above video shows a powerful application of that technique in a...

Creating a phonics curriculum

by David | Kindergarten, Phonics

I’m very excited about my latest project of creating a phonics curriculum specifically for EFL very young learners. One of the reasons I want to take on this project is that most commercial phonics programs (like Jolly Phonics) are designed for native speakers...

One of the secrets to success with Jolly Phonics

by David | Alphabet, Phonics, Tips

When I first began teaching, I taught phonics using Jolly Phonics. While it isn’t a product I still use, I know lots of others do. So, today, I want to share a key tip a mentor teacher gave to me one day: The Jolly Phonics stories are what brings it all...

All of the Jolly Phonics TPR actions demonstrated

by David | Phonics, Video

Continuing the Jolly Phonics theme, here’s videos of all of the Jolly Phonics TPR actions (organised by group), demonstrated. Click on the drop down menu (with the triangle) at the top far side on the video to navigate between individual letters. Or, if you...