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"Reflections of a language teacher.
Always learning."


Structured production and expansion phase (G. Conti E.P.I Methodology)
For the past two years, my colleagues and I have been applying the E.P.I. Methodology designed by Dr. Gianfranco Conti which provides a...
Silvia Bastow
May 15, 20223 min read


Challenge – the underpinning principle!
The underpinning principle of effective teaching is challenge! Students rise or fall according to the level of expectation that we set...
Silvia Bastow
Apr 18, 20224 min read


Show Calling
One of the six pedagogical principles of expert teaching is modelling, a research-informed strategy demonstrating to our students how to...
Silvia Bastow
Mar 6, 20223 min read


Using Sentence Builders
There is an increasing number of language teachers; me being one of them; using Sentence Builders (previously referred to as substitution...
Silvia Bastow
Feb 13, 20224 min read


Trying to increase your GCSE uptake? This is what we are trying…
With the languages uptake in British schools and universities on the decline, what can we do to reverse the trend? The British Council in...
Silvia Bastow
Jan 23, 20224 min read


Learning vocabulary – passive vs. active
Learning and building students’ vocabulary to develop fluency and eventually mastery of the studied language requires a lot of effort,...
Silvia Bastow
Jan 3, 20226 min read
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