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Coleen Monroe
Coleen Monroe is a Colorado native who has left a trail of new homes for herself around the world. She's set foot in 30 countries and lived on four continents in the last eleven years. Her nomad homes have been in Chilean Patagonia, France, Italy, Switzerland, South Korea, England, and Iceland. Her latest travel adventures took her to Yunnan, Beijing, Jiangxi, and Southern China, where she's currently teaching.
Posts by Coleen
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October 17, 2023
Last-Minute ESL Lesson Plans That Can Be Adapted for Any Class
Whether you have some extra time in class or are filling in for another teacher, these last-minute ESL lesson plans can be adapted to any subject and level. They're also... -
October 30, 2022
How to Teach English Grammar – Even if You’re Terrible at It!
Worried about how to teach English grammar in the ESL classroom? You don't need perfect grammar to teach English grammar — you just need these tips and strategies to be... -
March 23, 2022
Do I Need a “TEFL Resume”? FAQs and Tips (Plus a Sample Resume!)
When completing your TEFL certification or applying for teaching jobs, you may have run across references to a “TEFL resume.” Is this different from a standard resume? And do you... -
October 28, 2021
Teach Abroad Timeline: Planning in the Age of Coronavirus
Wanting to teach abroad but plans are stalled due to coronavirus? Find out what you can do in the meantime to prepare for the transition and strengthen your resume for... -
October 14, 2021
Why You Should Volunteer to Teach English and How to Find Opportunities
You’ve probably seen the bumper sticker that says, “If you can read this, thank a teacher.” When you want to give back to society, teaching is one of the best... -
July 27, 2021
10 Common Teach Abroad Myths Debunked
Is teaching English abroad really only a young person's game? Will you exclusively teach young learners? What about teaching as a non-native speaker? Let's bust these common teach abroad myths... -
June 14, 2021
The Pros and Cons of School-Provided, “Centralized” Lesson Plans for ESL
Using pre-established, centralized lesson plans in schools and online ESL companies is a growing trend. Find out the pros and cons of centralized lesson plans, and get tips for using... -
May 31, 2021
ESL Philosophy of Teaching Statement: What Is It & Why Does It Matter?
An ESL philosophy of teaching statement can help you be a better teacher and land a top teaching job. Find out why you need a teaching philosophy and how to... -
May 3, 2021
How to Create ESL Grammar Lesson Plans
Don't be scared by ESL grammar lesson plans! Incorporating these 5 basic things ensures that your grammar lesson will be effective and fun. We've also got some additional tips and... -
March 22, 2021
How to Teach Parts of Speech: Lesson Tips & Activities for ESL Teachers
Get ideas for how to teach parts of speech in a fun and engaging way that your ESL students will enjoy! Incorporate these games and tips into your lesson plan... -
December 17, 2020
I’m Already a Teacher – Do I Need TEFL/TESOL Certification?
You're a certified and experienced teacher in your home country and you want to teach English abroad or online. Is TEFL/TESOL certification really required, in addition to your existing credentials?... -
December 10, 2020
Team-Based Activities for the ESL Classroom or Online
Cooperation and teamwork can be fostered in the ESL classroom to help students develop their English in a fun and interactive way and increase motivation through competition. We’ve put together... -
November 16, 2020
8 Strategies to Avoid Burnout When Teaching Online
2020 has been a challenging year for many around the world, including in the teaching space, as many of us had to quickly adapt as our classes suddenly (and in... -
September 4, 2020
Tips for Using Video to Teach English
Getting the most out of videos in the classroom involves a lot more than just hitting "play." An experienced teacher shares tips for teaching English using video that will enhance... -
July 22, 2020
A Teacher Describes Her Recent Return to the Classroom in China
Coleen currently lives in China, where she was teaching English when the coronavirus pandemic first hit and her in-person classes all moved online. Now that her school has reopened, we... -
April 22, 2020
Maintaining Work-Life Balance While Teaching Online From Home
As many teachers find themselves suddenly teaching English in their living rooms, the struggle to separate work and home life can be a challenge. A teacher in China shares her... -
April 3, 2020
Troubleshooting When Teaching Online English Classes
Like many English teachers around the globe during the coronavirus crisis, Coleen, in China, had to make make a quick transition to the virtual classroom. She shares some of the... -
February 7, 2020
Teaching English with Guided Discovery for ESL
Using guided discovery for ESL is an approach that gives students the opportunity to question and discover the target language in a lesson. Learn how to use this method to... -
December 9, 2019
Teach English in China FAQs – An Experienced Teacher Shares the Inside Scoop
Coleen is an EFL teacher who’s been on the road abroad for ten years! She's lived in South Korea, Chile, Vietnam, and China, where she currently teaches. She shares her... -
November 12, 2019
Bridge Grad, Coleen, on Teaching in Chile, South Korea, Vietnam, and China
Coleen has been teaching English abroad for almost a decade now, first in Chile and later throughout Asia. We interviewed her to find out what it's really like to be... -
October 30, 2019
Tips for Teaching Large ESL Classes of Kids & Teens
Teaching large ESL classes of kids or teens can seem overwhelming, but it's a good idea to be prepared for this scenario if you plan to teach abroad since it's... -
October 23, 2019
Get a Job Teaching English Abroad: 10 Things Employers Look For
International TEFL jobs demand qualifications that are a bit outside the box. Check out this list of 10 things TEFL employers want to see in you, the new teacher, so that... -
September 20, 2019
How to Get a Job Abroad Teaching English to Kids
Teaching English as a foreign language offers a world of opportunity – especially if you're interested in teaching English to children or teens, since jobs with young students abound. But... -
September 9, 2019
10 No-Prep ESL Activities for the Last 10 Minutes of Class with Kids
Uh oh! It’s 11:30 and you've finished teaching your ESL lesson, but your class isn't scheduled to end until 11:40! Don't panic! We've got 10 quick, rigorous, no-prep, ESL activities...