Blog de Jim Bird

What methods do Spanish speakers use to learn English?

Publicado en sep 2018

Common aids for learning English that  are TV shows, films, music, computer games and comics. Of these materials I’d say that my Spanish students use only the first three, and sparingly. The problem here in Spain is that television shows and movies are dubbed and rarely presented in original version. After growing up with this dubbed system, it is difficult for students to make the switch. That said, many adult TEFL students do download TV ...

Phrasal Verbs: The Ultimate Guide to English's Most Confusing Words.

Publicado en mar 2023

Phrasal Verbs: The Ultimate Guide to English's Most Confusing Words   If you're learning English, you've probably encountered phrasal verbs before. You know, those pesky words that combine a verb with an adverb or a preposition (or sometimes both) and create a whole new meaning that has nothing to do with the original verb. For example:   - He **looked up** the word in the dictionary. (look up = search for information) - She **broke do...

# How to Master Conditional Sentences Without Losing Your Mind.

Publicado en mar 2023

# How to Master Conditional Sentences Without Losing Your Mind   Conditional sentences are one of the most confusing topics in English grammar. They are used to express hypothetical situations, unreal events, or possible outcomes based on certain conditions. Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong!   There are four types of conditional sentences, each with its own rules and structures. And to make matters worse, some of them have different ...

¿Te has preguntado alguna vez cómo enseñar a tus alumnos o hijos la diferencia entre los artículos

Publicado en mar 2023

¿Te has preguntado alguna vez cómo enseñar a tus alumnos o hijos la diferencia entre los artículos masculino y femenino en español? Si es así, este artículo es para ti. Aquí te voy a dar algunos consejos y trucos para que puedas explicar esta cuestión de forma divertida y eficaz.   Lo primero que debes saber es que en español todos los sustantivos tienen género: pueden ser masculinos o femeninos. Esto significa que hay que usar un artículo ...

Exercises for a conversational English language class

Publicado en mar 2023

Are you looking for some fun and engaging exercises for your conversational English language class? Do you want to spice up your lessons with some creative and interactive activities? If so, you've come to the right place! In this blog post, I will share with you some of my favorite exercises that I use in my own classes. These exercises are suitable for learners of all levels and ages, and they will help you improve your speaking, listening, vo...

Ideas for an English class about preparing for a job interview

Publicado en mar 2023

If you are an English teacher looking for some ideas for an English class about preparing for a job interview, you might find this blog post useful. In this post, I will share some activities and resources that can help your students improve their interview skills and confidence.   One of the first things to consider is what type of interview your students might face. There are different types of interviews, such as telephone, video, face-t...