“Closer to Fine” (1989) by Indigo Girls, a song that explores themes of self-discovery, seeking meaning, and finding one’s place in the world, is used in this lesson to get B2-C1 level students to practise reading comprehension skills and expand their vocabulary in a contextual setting. After reading what the song is about and providing […] “Closer to Fine ..read more

Being unable to get your act together to simply put books in bookcases, move furniture around to make your home more welcoming can be rather frustrating. This, however, happens to (almost) everyone at some point. Colour-coordinating a mat, some cushions, even your bed linen, with the one wall you had painted (green) by your Dad can actually be therapeutic! Fingers crossed for it being a constant in life. G WordPress ..read more

One would think that World History in Y6 would be, if not the same, similar across Europe yet that, I have discovered, is not the case. Not having any recollection of what was studied when I attended Y6, I read through the National Curriculum requirements at KS2 and found that they are different from those I found in the Italian Indicatori Nazionali (National Guidelines). For a start, in Italy, with there no longer being an official National Curriculum, it is the publishing companies which generally dictate the course outlines for all levels of schooling, from Primary to Upper-secondary. The c ..read more

As the very end of this academic year is approaching, I’ve started sending goodbye posts to my students. On #Twitter I posted that the most fragile students had already been told, I also asked them to keep it to themselves so as to avoid issues with the school- they really don’t like it when students know their teachers are leaving. I’m one of at least four at the moment. The emails and posts I have received from kids from Y8 to Y13 have been amazing. Bless them, even those whose English isn’t great have written to me. It really warms my heart and proves to me that I have been doing right by t ..read more

The first thing I want to achieve is to reach retirement age. Easier said than done nowadays. Not trying to feel sorry for myself but being realistic as I’ve lost too many people in my life to take this option for granted. For approximately the last ten years I’ve been paying into a private pension fund so as to have something more than the money INPS (the State Pension System) should (?!) give me. Nobody dares guestimate how much that will be as there’s not enough money for everyone now, let alone in the future! However, I like to imagine I can retire upon reaching the minimum age with lots o ..read more

Describe something you learned in high school. The prompt is asking me to describe something I learnt at high school so here it goes... I learnt a) how not to teach tedious teacher-fronted lessons in which there was no student-student or student-teachrr interaction;b) not to talk at buttostudents:c) to observe, and listen to, peers (whether I liked them or not) and students so as to support them in times of need;d) that teachers are allowed to be imperfect. They are, after all is said and done, people.Hoping to be more regular with my posts (just have a couple of more deadlines to meet), I ..read more

Article by Ben Newark… I’d say that it’s spot on! “David Beckham is one of the best free-kick taker ever and it not because of a talent sent by god. It’s because he trained with a tireless dedication that the vast majority of less gifted players would not even imagine.” Sir Alex Ferguson on right—sided midfielder David Beckham. “I don’t care. I was listening. It’s […] Can you be bothered ..read more

…so far COVID and I have not developed a relationship. Yes, many a times I have either been sent by my GP to be tested or, like today, gone of my own volition. During the last four days I have presented all the typical symptoms: slight temperature (never higher than 38°), a constant cough (a memento from the bronchitis I had over my long weekend in Spain? Even my Doc thought it was C19 then), constant weariness – yesterday all I did was make the bed!- this morning, well, I dared get up only to find myself falling asleep on the settee for another fout hours!!! Did a home test as Saturday I spen ..read more

…so far COVID and Zi have not developed a relationship. Yes, many a times I have either been sent by my GP to be tested or, like today, gone of my own volition. During the last four days I have presented all the typical symptoms: slight temperature (never higher than 38°), a constant cough (a memento from the bronchitis I had over my long weekend in Spain? Even my Doc thought it was C19 then), constant weariness – yesterday all I did was make the bed!- this morning, well, I dared get up only to find myself falling asleep on the settee for another fout hours!!! Did a home test as Saturday I spe ..read more

Appointment made on 6th January for the 25th. Handed in documentation. 10 days later (today) passport ready. It’s burgundy (but not shiny). I’m European again ..read more