Martin Bastkowski

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Martin Bastkowski is a teacher, head of the foreign language department and member of the school management team at a comprehensive school in Germany. He is also a visiting university lecturer in English language education and works as an author, editor, reviewer and consultant to publishers of educational materials, as well as being a teacher trainer. His fields of interest include teaching methodology and learning activation, optimising learning processes and assessment and feedback culture, as well as digitalisation, media and AI. www.bastkowski.de

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Kickstart your lesson with vocabulary warmers

This article introduces a ready-to-use classroom tool – the Vocab warmer – designed to make vocabulary activation more systematic, engaging and pedagogically grounded. Based on a dual approach (‘Meaning’ and ‘Games’), the material offers learners a structured choice of techniques to explain, use and play with new or previously taught vocabulary. Why vocabulary often fails to become usable language In classroom reality, teachers are sometimes frustrated that their students do not learn vocabulary as quickly and efficiently as intended, especially when it comes to using it in speaking and writing. It becomes obvious that the typical gap between passive and active...

Structuring learning through visual guidance

The following article explores how the activity board can be used to visually structure and manage complex communicative tasks, making them more approachable and effective for learners. After outlining the didactic foundation, the article introduces the tool, highlights its benefits and offers a detailed classroom example that demonstrates how the tool can be implemented in everyday teaching practice. Structuring the learning process in a TBL context The concept of Task-based Learning (TBL) has gained broad acceptance in English language teaching and continues to influence classroom practices around the world. Depending on the interpretation, TBL can take various forms, but a common...

Hands on AI: how can it help teachers enrich learning?

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the educational landscape is no longer a futuristic idea, but a present reality. For English teachers, the question is not whether to use AI, but how to use it effectively to enhance teaching and learning. This article explores the practical applications of AI in the English classroom, highlighting its potential to enhance communicative skills and create appropriate teaching materials for different levels. It will also provide effective prompts and a careful look at some of the challenges that need to be considered. AI: just more and more for teachers to do? The title is...

Global Voices – Martin, Germany

Martin, Germany To be honest, the German education system can be quite frustrating at times. Because of the federal structure, all sixteen German states, or more precisely the ministries or administrations of education, can decide for themselves what curricula should be followed, what kind of (final) assessment should be used, what types of school can be attended and how long one should stay in primary school. Metaphorically speaking, the German education system is a very heavy and slow-moving ship, and the process of change takes a long time. In recent years, however, there has been a paradigm shift. Many schools in...

Let’s revise! Activities to review what students have learnt

Martin Bastkowski offers 12 engaging activities to remind students what they have learnt in previous lessons. The examples are topic-based but could be adapted for language revision.