David Dodgson

53 POSTS

David Dodgson blogged for Modern English Teacher over 4.5 years up to the end of 2021. During his time as the MET blogger, David wrote 52 posts spanning his teaching and managerial experiences across 3 different countries and 3 different jobs and drawing on his 20+ years in ELT. Throughout his career, David has worked in Kazakhstan, Bahrain, Turkey and Gabon, gaining experience with young learners, adults, EAL students and exam preparation classes, and holds an MA in EdTech and TESOL and the Trinity DipTESOL. When he finally returned to the UK, he relished the challenge of teaching in the UK for the first time as EAL Coordinator in a leading independent school, which was reflected in some of his more recent posts. David still continues to write, so expect to see articles from him in the new-look MET, as well as in publications like MET, ETp and TESL-EJ. You can find his personal blog here. His interests include supporting learning with technology, and teacher self-development. He also uses digital games as authentic materials for language learning, and blogs about it at eltsandbox.wordpress1.com. David believes that writing articles and blog posts allows you to be part of the wider ELT community, provides a platform to share and reflect on your experiences and to learn from others by engaging with the world of ELT beyond your own personal teaching context. So above all, his advice is to "write on"!

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Reading QR Codes (IF We Can)

2017-08-10

In his latest post, MET Resident Blogger David Dodgson talks us through an activity his teen students engaged in combining QR codes with an interactive ‘choose your own path’ adventure story. He discusses how the story and activity was created, what benefits came from utilising QR codes to deliver it, and the follow-up projects his students engaged in.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas-Themed EFL Activities

2016-07-11

As the festive season draws nearer, our usually jovial MET blogger David Dodgson, goes all grinchy on us with a rant against superficial Christmas-themed lessons to finish off the year. He then explains why in their place he prefers either more reflective activities or simply regular lessons.

‘I eat present simple for breakfast!’ Using real life to encourage genuine language

2016-07-07

Lesson ideas sometimes come at random moments. Inspiration hit David when his day didn’t have the best start … and led him to take a different approach to reviewing present simple for routines with his young learners. How? By simply focusing on real life.

Write On

2016-05-31

David Dodgson, in the hopes of becoming MET's official blogger, discusses why his notebook is his most prized possession as a teacher.

Making exam preparation child’s play

2015-07-24

David Dodgson describes some student-generated practice activities for theCambridge YLE tests.

Independent Interactions – keeping language skills active during lockdown

2015-05-22

Even as COVID-19 lockdown restrictions ease, many students still face a gap of several months without face-to-face language learning contact. In this month’s post, David Dodgson shares some ideas for independent language learning ahead of a (hopeful) return to class in September.

Making Groups Work

2015-02-16

Group work is a staple of the modern classroom that promotes efficient collaboration and encourages effective interaction and communication. But what about when it is neither efficient nor effective? When does group work not work? How can we avoid such things? Read this blog post to find out.

One Idea, One Resource, One Challenge

2014-10-14

With ever-changing restrictions and regulations in schools due to the ‘new normal’ we find ourselves in, David Dodgson shares an idea for helping students focus, describes a resource to organise digital learning, and explains a challenge still to overcome.

The ins and outs of language assessment

2014-08-28

Assessment often dominates our learners’ lives be it through external exams or internal coursework. What are the pros and cons of standardised tests? Are projects a viable alternative? David Dodgson offers his thoughts on both in this month’s post.

How to Prepare Students for Speaking Assessments

2014-05-07

Speaking is possibly one of the most important aspects of learning a language. And yet, speaking is one of the most difficult aspects of language learning to assess. In this month’s blog, David shares tips on preparing students for speaking exams and how to help them get the best results.

Getting to Know You… All Over Again

2014-03-21

In many parts of the world, a new school year is beginning, which means starting over with new classes and new students. In this month’s post, our resident blogger David Dodgson shares some of his favourite activities to get a new academic year or course of study underway and highlights the purpose behind each one.

Time to LEAP (Learn about English for Academic Purposes)

2014-03-20

In his latest post, MET’s resident blogger, David Dodgson explores the world of EAP to meet the language needs of his senior high school students.

Teacher Professional Development – keeping your own motivation going

2014-03-18

After a year with little or no face-to-face conferences or training possible, many teachers are lacking PD and motivation, and memories of attending ones are fading. This blog post shares ideas to re-engage with CPD and revitalise your teaching.

Keep On Improving: Teaching In Our New Normal

2013-09-03

With ever-changing restrictions and regulations in schools due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic globally, teachers find themselves having to adapt and re-adjust like never before. This post takes stock to reflect on which changes to keep and which to improve.

Back to Class, but not Back to Normal

2013-08-29

Many students and teachers around the world are now back to school and having to adapt to education in the ‘new normal'. David Dodgson shares his own experience of returning to the classroom and how rules and regulations over distancing and hygiene are requiring him to change his teaching.