Workshops

If you would like for me to give one of these workshops to your organization or program, you have two options.:

For Texas Adult Education programs, contact your TCALL specialist to request me. The training will be free for your program!
Use the Contact form to contact me directly to book a workshop.

The First Three Weeks in the ESL Classroom

This is my most requested workshop! Studies show that the first three weeks of instruction are integral to ESL adult learner retention. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn techniques to enhance student motivation as well as methods to create a positive classroom environment. At the end of the session, participants will receive a free book of lesson plans and activities to use in the classroom as well as all the training materials to take back and use with their programs.

3 Hours, Online or In-person, free ebook

ESL Lesson Planning

This training guides instructors through the process of designing effective communicative ESL lesson plans. Participants will learn how to structure a lesson with key components—warm-up, introduction, controlled practice, semi-controlled practice, free practice, and review—while keeping student engagement and communication at the center. Through hands-on practice, participants will create their own lesson plan using provided templates and a step-by-step lesson planning guide they can take with them for future use.

3 hours, Online or In-person, free Lesson Planning Guide

Beyond Kahoot!

Do you like Kahoot!? Are you looking for more online tools to use with your students? Expand your digital horizons and see new and exciting ways to engage your students both in class and out. We will look at a variety of online games and apps that will stimulate your students with often little to no work for you! Plus, we will learn how to move beyond just reviewing information to teaching with these free online products.

1.5-3 hours, Online or In-person

Pronunciation Rules! (that every ESL instructor should know)

English pronunciation is hard, right? English is not a phonetic language, so students often
cannot discern the pronunciation of a word from its spelling: comfortable, drawer, choir,
colonel, though, laugh, stomachache… So what do we do? Simply say, “English is crazy’’ and move on? That’s what I did when I started teaching. But there is good news! Some specific and easy to explain pronunciation rules in English do exist. So come and explore techniques for teaching -ed endings, -s endings, stress in words, difficult sounds, a few phonetic symbols, and more. We’ll flex our vocal chords and aspirate all over the place. And you will leave with lots of activities and free materials you can use in your own ESL classes!

3 hours, In-person or Online, free ebook

Make Meetings Memorable

Are your staff meetings stuck in a powerpoint rut? Are informational PD sessions all talk and no action? They don’t have to be! There are challenging and fun ways to engage participants while also delivering content. From “blind” quiz games to low ropes challenges, scavenger hunts to breakout rooms, there are a variety of methods to increase team building and decrease boredom. Come prepared to participate, have fun, and learn some new strategies!

1.5-3 hours, In-person Only

Just Paper, Please!

Sometimes we overthink things and spend too much time creating materials from scratch, or we depend too much on books and technology. Let’s get super low-tech and back to basics with paper! In Part 1 of this session you will see writing activities, games, warm-ups, and lesson plans that use only paper. In Part 2, we will create mini-books and not-so-mini-books that can be used as reference tools for your ESL and Civics students. Come join us for this fun and interactive session! (Band-aids for paper cuts will be provided free of charge.)

3-6 hours, In-person Only, Many examples, booklets & takeaways