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Teaching with Ellii

Discover what's new or coming soon, including upcoming lessons and resources and product feature updates. 

Announcements

<p>Are you teaching US history and government and&nbsp;preparing students for the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test? You are changing lives, and Ellii wants to help!</p>

<blockquote>
<p>Yes! Ellii is developing test prep materials for the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>We began working on new content as soon as the notice went out about the new test (Sep&nbsp;18, 2025). If your students are preparing for the naturalization test, you&nbsp;can expect plenty of new content on Ellii in the next few months. We&#39;ll be updating this post as new content is available.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>What has changed with the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test?&nbsp;</h3>

<ul>
	<li>If applicants applied before or within 30 days of the notice (Sep&nbsp;18, 2025), they take the 2008 test.</li>
	<li>If applicants&nbsp;applied 30 days or more after this notice (Sep&nbsp;18, 2025), they take the 2025 test.</li>
	<li>On the new (2025) test, the&nbsp;USCIS officer will ask applicants to answer up to 20 out of&nbsp;128 civics test questions&nbsp;to prove their&nbsp;knowledge of&nbsp;US&nbsp;history and government.</li>
	<li>USCIS officers will&nbsp;stop&nbsp;after the&nbsp;applicant answers&nbsp;12 questions correctly OR misses 9 questions.</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Note:</strong> Scroll down for useful external links to resources regarding these updates.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Ellii&#39;s Media Gallery</h2>

<p>Ellii&#39;s&nbsp;new <a href="https://ellii.com/media/videos/us-civics-test-prep" target="_blank">US Civics &amp; Test Prep</a> videos build history and government knowledge while offering practical test-taking tips. Choose from short, digestible clips or full-length video lessons with chapter divisions.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/media/videos/us-civics-test-prep/colonial-period-independence" target="_blank"><img alt="US Civics Test Prep videos" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5010/content_Civics-Video-Colonial-Period-and-Independence_OG-play.png" /></a></p>

<p>The first 18 <a href="https://ellii.com/media/videos/us-civics-test-prep" rel="noopener" target="_blank">US Civics &amp; Test Prep videos</a> are available now!&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/media/videos/us-civics-test-prep/the-1800s" target="_blank"><img alt="https://ellii.com/media/videos/us-civics-test-prep/the-1800s" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5011/content_Civics-Video-1800s_OG-play.png" /></a></p>

<p>Videos include a real teacher from Ellii, real&nbsp;photographs, useful drawings, and real questions and possible answers from the test.</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/video/recent-american-history" target="_blank"><img alt="Recent US History video " src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5055/content_Screen_Shot_2025-11-19_at_3.11.32_PM.png" /></a></p>

<p>More videos are coming soon.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Ellii&#39;s Study Packs</h2>

<p>Ellii Study Packs allow you to assign your students bundled content easily with one click. Visit our <a href="https://ellii.com/packs/?category=45&amp;page=1" target="_blank">US Civics</a> category in Courses &amp; Packs&nbsp;and watch this content&nbsp;grow.<br />
<br />
If you and your students like Ellii&#39;s test prep videos, you&#39;ll love the NEW study packs. Each video lesson comes with practice tasks, including vocabulary review, comprehension, and speaking practice. In our first release, <strong><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/colonial-period-independence/materials" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Colonial Period &amp; Independence</a></strong>, students practice questions <strong>73&ndash;89 </strong>of the civics test.</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/colonial-period-independence/materials" target="_blank"><img alt="Colonial Period &amp; Independence Study Pack on Ellii " src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5012/content_US-Civics-Test-Prep-Colonial-Period-and-Independence_OG.png" /></a></p>

<p>This follow-up pack on <a href="https://ellii.com/packs/the-1800s/materials" target="_blank"><b>The 1800s</b></a><b>&nbsp;</b>features video lessons and practice about western expansion and the Civil War. Students practice questions <strong>90&ndash;99 </strong>of the civics test. Expand your students&#39;&nbsp;knowledge with related lessons from our library, such as lessons on historic figures from this period, including <a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/3185-harriet-tubman" target="_blank">Harriet Tubman</a>, <a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/3473-frederick-douglass" target="_blank">Frederick Douglass</a>, and <a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/2881-susan-b-anthony" target="_blank">Susan B. Anthony</a>.</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/the-1800s/materials" target="_blank"><img alt="The 1800s US Civics Test Prep Study Pack on Ellii " src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5013/content_US-Civics-1800s_OG.png" /></a></p>

<p>The third&nbsp;pack features video lessons and practice about conflict and change in <a href="https://ellii.com/packs/recent-american-history/materials" target="_blank">Recent US History</a> (the 1900s and early 2000s). Students practice questions <strong>100&ndash;118&nbsp;</strong>of the civics test. Expand your students&#39;&nbsp;knowledge with related lessons from our library, such as lessons on historic figures from this period, including <a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/1535-franklin-d-roosevelt" target="_blank">Franklin Roosevelt</a>, the <a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/2856-the-vietnam-war" target="_blank">Vietnam War,</a> and <a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/1466-september-11th" target="_blank">September 11th</a>.</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/recent-american-history/materials" target="_blank"><img alt="Recent US History US Civics Test Prep Study Pack: The 1900s and early 2000s" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5054/content_US-Civics-Recent-US-History_OG.png" /></a></p>

<p>You can also send content individually to just the students who are studying for the test&nbsp;(NEW feature).</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/blog/introducing-individual-student-assignments" target="_blank"><img alt="individual assignments on Ellii " src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5014/content_Screen_Shot_2025-11-14_at_11.12.24_AM.png" /></a></p>

<p>We have six more packs in the works&nbsp;and will be releasing the videos and lessons as they are ready!</p>

<h2>Ellii&#39;s Collections</h2>

<h3><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/us-civics" target="_blank">US Citizenship &amp; Naturalization</a></h3>

<p>This<strong> </strong>collection category<strong> </strong>offers six ready-made collections of EL Civics content focusing on US law, government, history, and culture. This content will help prepare ELLs for life and citizenship in the United States.&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lessons/american-presidents" target="_blank">American Presidents&nbsp;</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/us-civics/american-institutions" target="_blank">American Institutions</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/us-civics/american-trailblazers" target="_blank">American Trailblazers</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/us-civics/american-holidays" target="_blank">American Holidays</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/us-civics/us-history" target="_blank">American History</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/us-civics/us-landmarks" target="_blank">American Landmarks</a></li>
</ul>

<h3><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/el-civics" target="_blank">EL Civics</a></h3>

<p>This collection category features curated content for pre-approved civics objectives <strong>(COAAPs)</strong> selected by California agencies supporting adult ed. Search for content that is specifically related to the needs assessment of your students and use this content toward&nbsp;the 30 hours of instruction your learners need before doing related assessments.</p>

<h3><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/nations-regions/americana" target="_blank">The United States</a></h3>

<p>Our content library is full of lessons about American facts, figures, and firsts. This collection highlights some of our most popular lesson content related to the US, including presidents, famous people, and holidays.</p>

<h2>Popular Ellii Lessons</h2>

<p>Use the <strong>Search</strong> field on Ellii to find lessons on topics you are covering, and reach out to us if you can&#39;t find what you&#39;re looking for. Here are some popular US civics lessons:</p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/5757-us-immigration-rights" target="_blank">US Immigration Rights</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/2277-american-citizenship" target="_blank">American Citizenship</a> (in editing)</li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/3836-n-400-vocabulary" target="_blank">N-400 Vocabulary</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/2676-the-united-states" target="_blank">The United States </a>(Listening in English)</li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/2263-map-of-the-us" target="_blank">Map of the US</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/1505-george-washington" target="_blank">George Washington</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/2779-trail-of-tears" target="_blank">The Trail of Tears</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/3172-the-us-constitution" target="_blank">The US Constitution</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/5636-the-bill-of-rights" target="_blank">The Bill of Rights</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/4037-the-declaration-of-independence" target="_blank">The Declaration of Independence</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/2764-the-supreme-court-us" target="_blank">The Supreme Court</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/3381-election-day-us" target="_blank">Election Day</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/video/republicans-democrats" target="_blank">Republicans Vs. Democrats</a> (explainer video)</li>
</ul>

<h3>Coming Soon on Ellii&nbsp;</h3>

<ul>
	<li>30 + more videos</li>
	<li>Six + US Test Prep Study Packs</li>
	<li>NEW comprehensive civics&nbsp;lessons focused on US History &amp; Government&nbsp;</li>
	<li>US Test Prep Speaking Practice Tests</li>
</ul>

<h3>Useful External Resources for 2025 Updates</h3>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/18/2025-18050/notice-of-implementation-of-2025-naturalization-civics-test" target="_blank">Notice of Implementation of 2025 Naturalization Civics Test </a>(09.18.2025)</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/brochures/USCIS-2025-Civics-Test-Study-Guide.pdf" target="_blank">One Nation, One People Study Guide (2025)</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.dailysignal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Civics-Test-128-Questions-and-Answers-09.15.2025.pdf" target="_blank">128 Civics Questions (2025)</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/find-study-materials-and-resources/check-for-test-updates" target="_blank">USCIS Comparison of 2008 / 2025 Test</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5n2h5rdfojhykxegok15a/Natz_Test_Comparison_A_2008-2025.pdf?rlkey=47rpmtohvcrqazh1uf17h8o7k&amp;e=1&amp;st=r1lxr88r&amp;dl=0" target="_blank">Bill Bliss&#39;s Comparison chart of 2008 / 2025 Test</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship" target="_blank">USCIS Citizenship Resource Center</a></li>
</ul>


2025 US Naturalization Civics Test Prep Now on Ellii

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<p>Yes! It&rsquo;s a &quot;thing&rsquo;.&quot; There<em> really is</em> an International Sketchnote Camp! And it<em> really is</em>&nbsp;as much fun as it sounds.</p>

<p>Every year, visual thinkers from all over the world get together to share ideas, collectively doodle, and inspire each other.</p>

<p>When I discovered it was in Birmingham, UK, I immediately booked a ticket and raised my hand to volunteer.</p>

<p>In many ways, it was a no-brainer. The venue was right across the road from the NATECLA venue, where I would be delivering the keynote the week before.</p>

<p><img alt="Emily visually recording the closing plenary at NATECLA" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4779/content_Emily-Bryson-at-NATECLA.jpg" /></p>

<p class="caption">Emily visually recording the closing plenary at NATECLA</p>

<h2><strong>ELT conference to International Sketchnote Camp!</strong></h2>

<p>It struck me that my professional career has led me to frequent English Language Teaching conferences such as <a href="https://ellii.com/blog/reflections-from-iatefl-2025">IATEFL</a>, <a href="https://www.natecla.org.uk/">NATECLA</a>, <a href="https://ellii.com/blog/perutesol-2024-reflections-and-take-aways">Peru TESOL</a>, and <a href="https://ellii.com/blog/anglo-congress-2024-reflections-take-aways">Anglo Uruguay</a>. Occasionally, I&rsquo;ll dip my toes in wider educational waters, but in general I stick in the cozy realms of communicative language classrooms.</p>

<p>I was intrigued to see what a sketchnoting conference would have in store for me. In this post, I&rsquo;ll share some of my ELT-brained reflections.</p>

<h2><strong>Lesson 1: Conference names have character</strong></h2>

<p>I absolutely love that ISC markets itself as a &quot;Camp,&quot;<em>&nbsp;</em>albeit one that doesn&rsquo;t involve waking up in a soggy tent. The name immediately exudes fun, relaxed, and creative vibes.</p>

<p>Sketchnoting&nbsp;is one of the most therapeutic, enjoyable, and impactful skills that I have developed.</p>

<p>Then there is&nbsp;&quot;International.&quot; ISC is now in its eighth year. The event passes the organizational baton to enthusiastic visual thinkers around the world, making it a truly global event. This year, the event was organized by Paddy Dhanda and Grant Wright from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thevisualjam.com/">The Visual Jam</a>, who also run supercool visual thinking meetups.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Previous camps have taken place in Birmingham (UK),&nbsp;San Antonio (USA), Leiden (The Netherlands), Szczecin&nbsp;(Poland), Brussels (Belgium), Paris (France), Lisbon (Portugal), and&nbsp;Hamburg (Germany).&nbsp;Next year, the event will be in Verona (Italy) in September. Watch out for #ISC26 for updates or follow the organizer,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/federica.tabone_visual.psy/">Federica Tabone</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Federica holding up 'Verona'" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4780/content_The_big_reveal_Mike_Rohde_with_Federica_Tabone.jpg" /></p>

<h2><strong>Lesson 2: Visual games are a great way to connect</strong></h2>

<p>ISC 2025 kicked off with as much fun as you&#39;d expect from 120 or so creatives. I teamed up with fellow volunteers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sketchnotesbygeorgina/">Georgina Dean</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ania_staskiewicz/">Ania Staskiewicz</a> to bring everyone together for visual games. While ELT conferences I&#39;ve attended start with speeches, it got me wondering why, as a playful profession, we aren&#39;t starting with games!&nbsp;</p>

<p>I got everyone warmed up with an activity I learned from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/inksight.nl/">Maaike Borsboom</a>. We drew our own portraits while holding a piece of paper&nbsp;to our face. Then we added an interesting&nbsp;fact, scrunched up the paper, and launched it across the room. Campers were then asked to retrieve a paper ball and find its owner.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ania then handed out her beautifully presented &quot;Human Bingo&quot;&nbsp;(aka &quot;Find Someone Who&quot;) cards. Instead of writing, our campers&nbsp;doodled&nbsp;an icon on finding a match&mdash;all while hunting for the creator of some rather interesting self-portraits.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For the finale, Georgina Dean gave out playground chalk and task cards representing the theme for this year:&nbsp;Human Connections. The campers then created a collaborative artwork by doodling themes such as &quot;new best friends&quot; and &quot;social bonds.&quot;</p>

<p>If you&#39;d like some templates for Bingo or Find Someone Who, check out Ellii&#39;s&nbsp;<a href="https://ellii.com/resources/warm-ups-fillers">Warm-Ups &amp; Fillers</a>. There are some pretty great ideas to help people get to know each other&nbsp;or kick off a conference in style.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Lesson 3: FOMO lessens when you can share pretty notes</strong></h2>

<p>Conferences can lead to tough decisions. Often there are so many fantastic sessions happening at the same time that we are forced to choose.</p>

<p>ISC was no different. I was challenged to decide between Georgina Dean&rsquo;s Adobe Fresco session or Stuart Young exploring Emotional Intelligence in the Age of AI. I also had to choose between bringing my doodles to life with Alejo Porras or developing my drawings of emotions with Andy Gray.</p>

<p>I needn&rsquo;t have worried&nbsp;as I soon realized that multiple stunning crib notes would shortly appear on the camp Padlet and Whatsapp chat. These beautiful notes allowed me to catch up on what I missed and let me see a variety of sketchnoting styles.</p>

<h2><strong>Lesson 4: Every conference needs (GIANT) visual notes</strong></h2>

<p>As well as delegates&#39; own personal notes, the conference also had Andy Gray taking large-scale visual recordings of each session.&nbsp;Having a live illustator&nbsp;capture the event meant that all the key takeaways could be shared easily&nbsp;and referred to for years to come.</p>

<p>It was a joyful experience to see Andy at work. For me, it brought the event to life and added a touch of magic. I feel like every conference needs a graphic recorder, whether they are working big on large sheets of paper&nbsp;or creating something digitally! 😉</p>

<p><img alt="Andy's giant visual notes" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4781/content_Visual_Recording_by_Andy_Gray.jpg" /></p>

<h2><strong>Lesson 5: Embrace your own style</strong></h2>

<p>It would be impossible for everyone&rsquo;s notes to look the same. This camp very much celebrated crafting our own unique style and the freedom of not comparing ourselves to others.</p>

<p>As someone with no formal art training who found sketchnoting in recent years, this was a powerful message. When I first signed up, I had been worried about feeling out of place, but I immediately felt at ease.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was freeing to see messy, scribbled, quick notes that were functional. The purpose of visual note-taking is not art, but communication.</p>

<h2><strong>Lesson 6: Bar camps give everyone a voice</strong></h2>

<p>On the final day of the camp, <a href="https://www.stuartyoung.uk/">Stuart Young</a> organized a &quot;bar camp&quot;&nbsp;session. This allowed all delegates the opportunity to explore topics of their choosing and share their skills organically.</p>

<p><img alt="Stuart's drawing of how to deliver Bar Camp" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4782/content_Stuart_Young_Bar_Camp.jpg" /></p>

<p>Stuart set up a space for attendees to add their ideas on Post-its. These could be things people would like to explore more or informal workshops they would like to deliver.</p>

<p>I enjoyed the flexibility of this space and made two suggestions&nbsp;based on my own expertise and interest: neurodiversity and language teaching.</p>

<p><img alt="image of post-its" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4783/content_Bar_Camp_Post-its.jpg" /></p>

<h2><b>Bar Camp 1: Neurodiversity in the visual thinking community</b></h2>

<p>This session was inspired by some discussions and sharing that had evolved in the ISC Whatsapp group. Many shared their personal experiences of neurodivergent thinking and how visuals have supported them to plan, organize, and focus.</p>

<p>We noticed&nbsp;that our community of visual thinkers has more neurodiverse minds than average. This cemented our view&nbsp;that&nbsp;visual thinking and sketchnoting are highly effective ways to support neurodiverse&nbsp;learners.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><b><b>Bar Camp 2: Language teaching for visual thinkers &nbsp;</b></b></h2>

<p>My second bar camp session was on visual thinking for language teachers. I wanted to bring together educators who were currently using their graphic facilitation skills and visual tools to support language acquisition. The session was extremely well attended and I was delighted to meet so many like-minded individuals.</p>

<p>This gave us&nbsp;the opportunity to share some of our favorite tools and techniques. Our plan is to stay connected and continue to share these ideas. <a href="https://padlet.com/emilybrysonelt/visual-thinking-for-language-teachers-btf5z4xu9q481ysr">Here&#39;s a Padlet we are working on</a>. Feel free to add your own ideas.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Fernanda and Jane" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4784/content_Emily_Bryson_with_Fernanda_Freytes_and_Jane_Carvell.jpg" /></p>

<p class="caption">I got to meet two of my visual-thinking-in-language-teaching heroes: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernanda-freytes-ramos/">Fernanda Freytes</a> and <a href="https://www.jcenglishtraining.com/">Jane Carvell</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If you&rsquo;d like to find out more about sketchnoting and visual thinking in ELT, check out these blog posts:</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/blog/sketchnoting-101-supercharged-professional-development-with-visual-notes">Sketchnoting 101: Supercharge Professional Development with Visual Notes</a></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><a href="https://ellii.com/blog/graphic-facilitation-101">Graphic Facilitation 101: Teaching English through Visual Communication</a></p>

<div>
<div class="msocomtxt" id="_com_2" language="JavaScript" onmouseout="msoCommentHide('_com_2')" onmouseover="msoCommentShow('_anchor_2','_com_2')"><a href="https://ellii.com/blog/how-to-simplify-complex-tasks-with-visual-prompts">How to Simplify Complex Tasks with Visual Prompts</a></div>

<div class="msocomtxt" language="JavaScript" onmouseout="msoCommentHide('_com_2')" onmouseover="msoCommentShow('_anchor_2','_com_2')">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="msocomtxt" language="JavaScript" onmouseout="msoCommentHide('_com_2')" onmouseover="msoCommentShow('_anchor_2','_com_2')"><a href="https://ellii.com/blog/graphic-organizers-for-language-skills-development">Using Graphic Orgnizers for Language Skills Development</a></div>

<div class="msocomtxt" language="JavaScript" onmouseout="msoCommentHide('_com_2')" onmouseover="msoCommentShow('_anchor_2','_com_2')">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="msocomtxt" language="JavaScript" onmouseout="msoCommentHide('_com_2')" onmouseover="msoCommentShow('_anchor_2','_com_2')"><a href="https://ellii.com/blog/how-to-use-pictures-as-grammar-prompts">How to Use Pictures as Grammar Prompts</a></div>

<div class="msocomtxt" language="JavaScript" onmouseout="msoCommentHide('_com_2')" onmouseover="msoCommentShow('_anchor_2','_com_2')">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="msocomtxt" language="JavaScript" onmouseout="msoCommentHide('_com_2')" onmouseover="msoCommentShow('_anchor_2','_com_2')">If you&#39;d like to see more photos and ideas from the camp, check out <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLzEtDHoiPt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">this post</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DL7fyY0IKrh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">others</a> on my Instagram.&nbsp;</div>

<div class="msocomtxt" language="JavaScript" onmouseout="msoCommentHide('_com_2')" onmouseover="msoCommentShow('_anchor_2','_com_2')">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="msocomtxt" language="JavaScript" onmouseout="msoCommentHide('_com_2')" onmouseover="msoCommentShow('_anchor_2','_com_2')">Have you tried sketchnoting or using visual thinking strategies in the classroom? What would you love to see at ELT conferences? We&#39;d love to hear your ideas.&nbsp;</div>
</div>


What ELT Conferences Can Learn from Sketchnoting Camps

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<p>If you&rsquo;re a teacher using Ellii, you&rsquo;ve likely already met our trusty assistant:&nbsp;<a href="https://help.ellii.com/article/267-how-to-use-the-grade-feed">Ellii Bot</a>. This tool helps you save time by auto-scoring student answers and writing personalized feedback on their Writing and Speaking tasks.</p>

<p>We&rsquo;ve heard your feedback, and we&rsquo;ve been listening closely. Teachers have told us they love the time-saving magic of Ellii Bot, but they have also noticed a few things that could be better.</p>

<p>So we&#39;ve rolled up our sleeves and made Ellii Bot even smarter.</p>

<h2>Smarter scoring, more consistent feedback</h2>

<p>Have you ever seen a student&rsquo;s answers get scores that felt a bit too high or too low compared to others on the same task? Or noticed&nbsp;Ellii Bot was a little too focused on matching the Answer Key perfectly?</p>

<p>That&rsquo;s because, in the past, Ellii Bot looked at each Writing or Speaking question individually&nbsp;without considering the full context of the task or the lesson. And it treated the Answer Key like the only possible correct response, which sometimes made things feel a bit too rigid.</p>

<p>For example, students are given the following instructions:&nbsp;Rewrite the sentence. There is a mistake in each sentence. Find the mistake and then rewrite the sentence correctly.</p>

<p><strong><img alt="" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4787/content_image-1-2.png" /></strong></p>

<p>The result? Inconsistent scoring and feedback that didn&rsquo;t always reflect your teaching goals&mdash;or your students&rsquo; true understanding.</p>

<p><strong><img alt="" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4788/content_image-3-4.png" /></strong></p>

<p>The new Ellii Bot changes that. It now reads and scores&nbsp;<b>all of a student&rsquo;s answers together</b>, which leads to&nbsp;<b>more consistent scoring</b>&nbsp;across the full task. It understands how the questions connect and evaluates them as a whole, just like a teacher would.</p>

<p>And when it comes to Answer Keys, Ellii Bot now treats them as&nbsp;<b>one of many valid reference answers</b>&nbsp;rather than as a strict standard. It uses the key as a helpful guide, but focuses on whether the student&rsquo;s answer is strong and appropriate on its terms.</p>

<h2>Context matters&mdash;and Ellii Bot knows it</h2>

<p>Before giving any feedback, the new Ellii Bot now reads and understands the&nbsp;<b>lesson</b>. This means it knows what your students are supposed to be focusing on&mdash;and tailors its scoring and feedback accordingly:</p>

<ul>
	<li>In a&nbsp;<b>grammar </b>lesson, it emphasizes language accuracy.</li>
	<li>In a&nbsp;<b>topic-based </b>lesson, it prioritizes comprehension and relevant content.</li>
	<li>For <strong>personal</strong>&nbsp;<b>opinion </b>questions, it can recognize thoughtful, on-topic responses&mdash;even when there&rsquo;s no single correct answer.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Simplified feedback&nbsp;based on student level</h2>

<p>Students are not all the same; they are at&nbsp;different levels, even when we are teaching the same lesson. Feedback is now&nbsp;<b>adapted to the learner&rsquo;s level</b>, making it more accessible, supportive, and appropriate for each stage of their learning journey.</p>

<p><strong><img alt="" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4789/content_image-5.png" /></strong></p>

<p>Even though both classes are working on the same intermediate-level lesson, Bicycles,&nbsp;beginner students are performing above their current level, while advanced students are working below theirs, which can result in lower scores for the more advanced group.</p>

<p><strong><img alt="" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4790/content_image-6-7.png" /></strong></p>

<ul>
	<li><b>Beginner students</b>&nbsp;now receive&nbsp;<b>shorter, simpler</b>&nbsp;comments with clear and encouraging language.</li>
	<li><b>More advanced students</b>&nbsp;get&nbsp;<b>deeper, more detailed</b>&nbsp;feedback that challenges their thinking and supports further growth.</li>
</ul>

<p>This thoughtful approach helps ensure students understand and benefit from the feedback without being overwhelmed by it.</p>

<h2>Built to empower teachers&mdash;not replace them</h2>

<p>We recognize the importance of the human connection between teachers and learners. AI will never replace the insight, empathy, or guidance of a teacher. Instead, our goal is to build tools that&nbsp;<b>support your work,&nbsp;</b>freeing you to focus on what matters most: fostering student growth.</p>

<p>Read more about our philosophy at&nbsp;<a href="https://ellii.com/ai">ellii.com/ai</a></p>

<p>The new Ellii Bot is designed to be a helpful partner, making your day a little easier and your feedback process more efficient and aligned with your goals.</p>

<p>We&rsquo;re excited to keep improving it&mdash;and we&rsquo;re so grateful to the educators who help shape the tools we build.</p>

<blockquote>
<p>Got feedback? We&rsquo;re always listening, and we count on you to help us keep getting better.</p>
</blockquote>


Ellii Bot Just Got Smarter

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Find quick links to each episode of the Teacher Think-Aloud podcast, hosted by Shélynn Riel and Anna Ciriani-Dean and sponsored by Ellii.  

Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast

<p>In the latest episode of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a>, hosts Anna and Sh&eacute; share a curated list of&nbsp;<strong>13 impactful reads</strong>&nbsp;perfect for educators navigating language, identity, and culture in the English language classroom. They warn that these are not light summer reads&mdash;they are powerful stories that explore migration, memory, and belonging, offering teachers new ways to connect with students across borders.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PUaTsFhfWhk?si=VmYpuQPphFWx6mhU" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>The episode features titles like&nbsp;<em>Solito</em>&nbsp;by Javier Zamora,&nbsp;<em>Beautiful Country</em>&nbsp;by Qian Julie Wang,&nbsp;<em>Homegoing</em>&nbsp;by Yaa Gyasi, and&nbsp;<em>Airplane Mode</em>&nbsp;by Shahnaz Habib&mdash;books that dive deep into lived experiences of displacement, resistance, and the search for home. Some titles, like&nbsp;<em>The Covenant of Water</em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane</em>, offer immersive, intergenerational narratives rooted in specific places, while others like&nbsp;<em>The Penguin Book of Migration Literature</em>&nbsp;present a range of voices and journeys from around the globe.</p>

<p>Anna and Sh&eacute; reflect on how these stories inform their teaching and inspire classroom activities. Some of the&nbsp;<strong>literature-based strategies</strong>&nbsp;they discuss for bringing these stories into ELT contexts, from leveraging memoirs for&nbsp;<strong>personal storytelling</strong>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<strong>practicing perspective-taking&nbsp;</strong>and rewriting stories through a different lens.&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote>&ldquo;Wherever you are right now&mdash;in a hammock, on a long train ride, or just taking a few minutes between lesson prep for the upcoming school year&mdash;we hope these stories find you well. And we hope they leave you changed, just a little. Because the best stories do.&rdquo; - Sh&eacute; and Anna</blockquote>

<p>🎙️&nbsp;<strong>Listen now on your favorite platform:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/episodes" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2zv5mVNpSqkDNiNbQlnm7B" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-teacher-think-aloud-podcast/id1629819608" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<p>🔗&nbsp;<strong>Follow The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast on social media for more updates:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/teacherthinkaloud" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thinkaloud_pod/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://twitter.com/thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">X</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/thinkaloudpod.bsky.social" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Bluesky</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok</a></li>
</ul>


Stories That Cross Borders: A Summer Reading Special for ELT Educators

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Stay up-to-date with ELT trends and ideas with articles from experts and teachers in the field.

Articles

<p>We&#39;ve all attended online workshops and webinars that have bored us to the point of checking our emails or cleaning our desk. Perhaps the content wasn&#39;t what we were expecting, or maybe the presenter was just reading word for word from a set of busy slides.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In this blog post, I&#39;ll share some of my top tips for delivering awesome teacher training online. These are tips and tricks I use myself and that I&#39;ve learned through watching other experts in the field at work.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Make it count</strong></h2>

<p>In&nbsp;any training session, we want participants to feel like they have invested their time wisely. Time is precious, especially for teachers. No one wants to waste it on a poorly researched session delivered in mono<em>dr</em>one. We need to make each second count&nbsp;and aim to have delegates leave feeling like they&#39;ve really learned something transformative.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Know your topic</strong></h2>

<p>To make the session count, you need to be knowledgeable about your topic. Make sure your information is up to date by&nbsp;joining groups on social media, watching webinars, listening to podcasts, and chatting to colleagues as well as&nbsp;reading research, articles, and blogs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is often best to choose something that you have lived experience with or a subject that you have researched passionately. Your enthusiasm will shine through if you choose to speak about something that really excites you.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Value the audience</strong></h2>

<p>Every teacher brings their own unique skills and experience to the session. As teacher trainers, our role is to help teachers share their ideas, tips, and activities with each other.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Harry Waters, one of my teacher training idols, once made the point that teacher trainers give teachers ideas&nbsp;so&nbsp;they can&nbsp;add their own spin to them and make those ideas bigger and better.</p>

<p>Allowing the training room to be a sharing space lets teachers capitalize on the expertise of the trainer as well as their own and their peers&#39;.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Be interactive</strong></h2>

<p>Making sessions interactive gets the audience involved, makes them feel valued, and helps them learn through each other by sharing their expertise. It also avoids turning an online workshop into a lecture. One of the simplest ways to do this is through posing questions in the chat&nbsp;and reading out any interesting and helpful ideas.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Depending on the size of the audience&nbsp;and the learning platform, you&nbsp;could also make use of online tools such as:&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li>Polls:&nbsp;Ask questions and get people voting in Zoom or via Mentimeter or perhaps even with an&nbsp;<a href="https://app.ellii.com/gather/polls">Ellii Poll</a>.</li>
	<li>Reactions: Ask participants to share their thoughts using emojis in the chat&nbsp;or the reactions tool.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Annotation: Have participants interact on screen using&nbsp;text, drawings, or icons by&nbsp;using annotation tools.</li>
	<li>Breakout Rooms: Give attendees time in pairs or groups to share their ideas, solve a problem, or create an activity.</li>
	<li>Shared Documents:&nbsp;Use Google Docs, MS Word Online, or Padlet&nbsp;to have participants collaborate.</li>
	<li>Whiteboards: Complete tables, add information in visual templates, or create mind maps using interactive whiteboards such as <a href="http://Canva.com">Canva</a>, <a href="http://www.miro.com">Miro</a>, or <a href="http://mural.co">Mural</a>.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h2><strong>Use minimal text&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Too many words on a slide can be distracting. Participants will naturally aim to read the text, which can be quite confusing if they are also trying to listen&nbsp;to what the presenter is saying at the same time. This can often lead to neither textual nor oral input being comprehensible.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Instead, use text sparingly to remind yourself&nbsp;of points you&#39;d like to make. A few clear bullet points will support the participants to follow your talk. Alternatively, use icons, images, or doodles as visual cues.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Use engaging visuals</strong></h2>

<p>Visuals are an impactful way of generating discussions, simplifying complex information, and helping your audience think more deeply about a topic. Some of the best workshops and webinars I have attended used only images to express information, add a touch of humor, and generate questions to get the audience involved.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For example, say you are delivering a session on student well-being. Instead of presenting a comprehensive&nbsp;list of challenges that may affect a learners&#39; mental health or confidence, you could display this image of &quot;Storm Man.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Ellii Photo prompt, storm man" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4744/content_Ellii-Photo-prompt-storm-man-image.jpg" /></p>

<p>Then you could have people write their own ideas in the chat or by using annotation tools. This way the activity is more interactive and you can actively involve your audience in the session.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Encourage movement</strong></h2>

<p>As in face-to-face training, sitting still for too long can make us stiffen up, feel sluggish, and&nbsp;even induce aches and pains. Online English language classes are more fun with a bit of movement and so too are training sessions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>You could try these techniques to re-energize:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Doodling: Describe or demonstrate how to draw something and have participants draw their own image. For example, have them draw their own &quot;Storm Man.&quot;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Movement Voting: Host an interactive poll where participants stand up for yes, shake their head animatedly for no, lift&nbsp;their arms in the air for maybe, and bend to the right or left for not sure.</li>
	<li>Pass the Pen: Hold a pen and introduce yourself or share a teaching tip, and then pass the pen remotely to another participant. They have to pick up the pen and add their own input to the task, and then pass the pen to the another person of their choice.</li>
	<li>Chair Yoga: Do some gentle stretches from your chair.</li>
	<li>Movement while Brainstorming: If you&#39;d like to give participants five minutes to think about something, have them walk around the room as they do it and then come back to share their ideas.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h2><b>Get the lighting (and tech) right</b></h2>

<p>Make sure your face isn&#39;t in a shadow. Aim to have the light source in front of you. Natural light is best so sitting facing a window can often be the best option. However, a strong lamp or ring light can be just as effective.</p>

<p>It is a good idea to arrive a little early in case you need to play around with curtains, blinds, or lamps. This is also a good opportunity to check that there is no clutter (or anything embarrassing) in the background and that all your tech is working correctly. Check your mic, camera, and screensharing capabilities as a minimum.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Be yourself!</strong></h2>

<p>I&#39;m sure everyone has their own online teacher training idols. These are people whose sessions you attend with awe and&nbsp;aspire to be just like them. The reality is that everyone is different and will present in different ways. Some speakers are natural comedians, others are fantastic at telling stories, and some even use singing, drawing, or drama to bring their sessions to life. Share your own unique self and shine as brightly as&nbsp;only you can!</p>

<blockquote>
<p>What are your top tips for delivering teacher development sessions online? Who are your teaching training idols? We&#39;d love to know what makes an awesome webinar to you.&nbsp;</p>
</blockquote>

<h2>Check out these Ellii webinars</h2>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1ZeOTiexGtM?si=-vPzmRRGLmS_09cU" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZeOTiexGtM&amp;list=PLP0N5nuiA3aOnP9kH4IYJ4INeniYQpYGa&amp;index=24" target="_blank">How to Use Ellii&#39;s Lesson Planner</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1BucslnAsw&amp;list=PLP0N5nuiA3aOnP9kH4IYJ4INeniYQpYGa&amp;index=23" target="_blank">Boosting Student Talk Time</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMlFNOxnhwg&amp;list=PLP0N5nuiA3aOnP9kH4IYJ4INeniYQpYGa&amp;index=22" target="_blank">How to Use Ellii&#39;s Career Pathway Content: Allied Healthcare Webinar 2024&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>


How to Deliver Online Teacher Training That Rocks!

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<p>We&#39;ve just built and deployed another really cool new game called <strong><a href="https://app.ellii.com/gather/dilemmas" target="_blank">Ellii Dilemmas</a></strong>. Have you tried it yet?</p>

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kte1oAeUYwE?si=3n6VhVgtPCKqRpKm" width="640"></iframe></div>

<p>Just like Ellii Polls, <strong><a href="https://app.ellii.com/gather/dilemmas" target="_blank">Ellii Dilemmas</a></strong> are super simple, highly engaging, and delightfully fun. 😎&nbsp;</p>

<p>With Ellii Dilemmas, your students face impossible choices&mdash;two difficult options with no clear&nbsp;right answer&mdash;and must <strong>choose</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>justify</strong>, and&nbsp;<strong>defend</strong> their pick.</p>

<p>So how does it work?</p>

<blockquote>
<ol>
	<li>Start by presenting an <a href="https://app.ellii.com/gather/dilemmas" target="_blank">Ellii Dilemma</a> on your screen in front of your class. Have your students join the session by scanning a <strong>QR code</strong>.</li>
	<li>Have students&nbsp;<strong>read</strong> the dilemma on their own devices and&nbsp;<strong>vote</strong> for the choice they would make in that particular situation.</li>
	<li>Assign your students to small groups to discuss their choices&nbsp;using the built-in technology. If you&#39;re teaching online, you can put your students in breakout rooms.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Gather again as a full group and encourage students to use&nbsp;the &quot;Speak up&quot; function to explain their reasoning and back up their choices.</li>
	<li>Finally, after students have had a chance to speak up, get everyone to vote&nbsp;again to see if anyone&#39;s opinion has been swayed. Compare the results.</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>

<p>You can use Ellii Dilemmas as a <strong>warm-up</strong>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<strong>cooldown</strong> activity to start or end any class.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Check out the video above to see how it works. Then try it out with your students this week and let us know what you think! We will be adding more dilemmas soon.</p>

<div class="whiteBox"><span class="label hangingLabel">New</span>

<p class="circleThumb"><a href="https://app.ellii.com/gather/dilemmas" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4771/content_Ellii-Dilemmas-thumb.png" /></a></p>

<h2><a href="https://app.ellii.com/gather/dilemmas" target="_blank">Try Dilemmas Now!</a></h2>

<p>Ellii Dilemmas is a free feature. So please tell all your teacher friends who don&#39;t have an Ellii account that they can use it without buying a subscription!</p>
</div>


Announcing Ellii Dilemmas!

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<p>You may know that there are more than 600 long-form videos in <a href="https://ellii.com/media/videos">Ellii&#39;s Media Gallery</a>, but were you aware that we also have a lot of short-form videos?&nbsp;We recently released our <strong>150th short</strong> on Ellii&#39;s social media channels and app, so what better time&nbsp;to discuss how you can make use of all this bite-sized content in class?</p>

<h2>Where can I find Ellii&#39;s shorts?</h2>

<h3>YouTube</h3>

<p>Have you seen Ellii&#39;s&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ellii/featured">YouTube channel for students</a></strong>? We post weekly shorts&nbsp;on YouTube&mdash;usually one or two per week. We make shorts on all kinds of topics, including grammar, vocabulary, idioms, phrasal verbs, pronunciation,&nbsp;listening, and speaking.</p>

<p>Go to&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ellii/shorts"><strong>Shorts&nbsp;tab</strong></a> from our home page (or just click on the following image) to see them all.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ellii/shorts"><img alt="Image of shorts index page on Ellii's YouTube channel for students" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4736/content_Youtube-Channel-Shorts.png" /></a></p>

<p>We also have our long-form <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ellii/videos">videos</a> organized by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ellii/playlists">playlists</a> on our channel, as well as a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ellii/community">community posts</a> area where we regularly pose questions to students about grammar, vocabulary, idioms, etc.</p>

<p>In case you missed it, we also have a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@elliiteachers">YouTube channel for teachers</a>!</p>

<h3>Instagram</h3>

<p>We also regularly post reels to our Instagram channel for students, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/elliienglish/reels/">@elliienglish</a>. Reels are often shared as stories as well so that students can easily find our&nbsp;new content.</p>

<p>Go to the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/elliienglish/reels/"><strong>Reels&nbsp;tab</strong></a> on our home page to view them all.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/elliienglish/reels/"><img alt="Image of reels index on Ellii's Instagram for students account" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4735/content_Instagram-Reels.png" /></a></p>

<p>Looking for our Instagram account for teacher? Find it&nbsp;here: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/esllibrary/">@esllibrary</a></p>

<h3>Ellii Solo/English App</h3>

<p>Did you know we have a self-study add-on to Ellii called <a href="https://ellii.com/solo">Ellii Solo</a> that schools or libraries can purchase for pre-enrollment programs or computer labs?&nbsp;We also have a self-study app (called <a href="https://www.englishapp.com/">English App</a>) that&nbsp;students can purchase on their own. Both Ellii Solo and English App&nbsp;offer mini-courses,&nbsp;study packs, and a vocabulary bank&nbsp;for self-study along with videos and shorts for extra learning.</p>

<p>Once you&#39;re inside the <a href="https://www.englishapp.com/">app</a>&nbsp;(when using Ellii Solo or English App), go to <strong>Videos</strong> on the bottom menu, and then select&nbsp;<strong>&quot;View all&quot;</strong> to scroll through our library of shorts.</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/solo"><img alt="Image of video landing page for Ellii Solo / English App" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4725/content_App-Video-Feed.jpg" /></a></p>

<h2>How can I use Ellii&#39;s shorts in class?</h2>

<p>Now that you know where to find them, what can you do with them in class? Here are a few ideas you could use them for:</p>

<h3>1. Introduce or review&nbsp;a target</h3>

<p>Use a related short as a fun introduction to a grammar, vocabulary, or pronunciation target or to do a quick review of it the next day. For example, if you&#39;re about to start&nbsp;a unit on Travel English, you could use our <a href="https://youtu.be/cCQUp73awL4?si=-vCaU8_yqcCexmOP">Airport Vocabulary</a> short to introduce the topic and elicit vocabulary.&nbsp;You could also assign it as homework.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/990227625" width="640"></iframe></div>

<p>Curious how you can search for the topic you want? Never fear! We&#39;ll cover how to search for a specific topic in the next section of this post.</p>

<h3>2. Expand on a target</h3>

<p>No matter what skill you&#39;re teaching, we probably have a short (or five) that expands on that topic. For example, if you&#39;re teaching your students how to pronounce the /m/ sound,&nbsp;you could use our <a href="https://youtu.be/eUJ1Afz2Sf0?si=HiVGbfp3yumvvFYS">short comparing the three nasal sounds</a> to see if they can&nbsp;distinguish /m/ from&nbsp;the other nasal sounds in English.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1090980404" width="640"></iframe></div>

<h3>3. Answer questions that come up&nbsp;in class</h3>

<p>We often cover tricky topics such as commonly confused words or grammar exceptions in our shorts. We all know students love asking the tough questions about exceptions to a rule, so why not answer these in a fun, visual way? Check out this example that <a href="https://youtu.be/rgr_AEJZtjs?si=VDOJE7jMSptW37Dg">compares &quot;compliment&quot; and &quot;complement.&quot;</a></p>

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1065624880" width="640"></iframe></div>

<h3>4. Use shorts as a basis for a pair activity or presentation topic</h3>

<p>Get your students to scroll through our shorts for homework and pick one that they didn&#39;t know about. The next day, have them teach a partner, group, or even the whole class about what they&#39;ve learned. After all, the best way to learn something really well is to teach it! Here&#39;s an example with <a href="https://youtu.be/V1QA6y7vWHU?si=NzdxwPBd0qoOdn24">&quot;prefer&quot; and &quot;rather&quot;</a>&nbsp;that would work well as a presentation topic.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1084808845" width="640"></iframe></div>

<h3>5. Use them to keep faster students from getting bored</h3>

<p>In any class, there will always be students who complete an assignment more quickly than others. Having them watch shorts while they wait for their peers to finish up is a fun, engaging task they&#39;ll enjoy. If they don&#39;t have earbuds or headphones at hand, you can have them mute the audio because all of our shorts have closed captions on YouTube and Instagram. (Captions on our app and Ellii Solo are coming soon!)</p>

<p>For example, they might enjoy this popular short on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7b1NKPtrutQ?feature=share">&quot;especially&quot; and &quot;specially.&quot;</a></p>

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/989656485" width="640"></iframe></div>

<h3>6. Use them for extra practice</h3>

<p>Shorts are also great for extra practice on a topic a student is struggling with or is asking about. For example, if a student keeps making mistakes with articles, you could have them watch one or all of our shorts on <a href="https://youtu.be/lC9UsaCV-20?si=CoSV7TlWGBR8wOpK">articles</a>.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/989124592" width="640"></iframe></div>

<h3>7. Use them as a review before teaching</h3>

<p>Sometimes we all need a little refresher, especially when it comes to more advanced grammar targets. Our shorts might even inspire you to teach or present something in a new way. As an example, here&#39;s a good way to&nbsp;teach students <a href="https://youtu.be/WRzQc-SaVpM?si=IdilcxGkuKmouecz">how to use &quot;however</a>&quot; in writing.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1082695695" width="640"></iframe></div>

<h2>Can I search through Ellii&#39;s shorts by topic/target?</h2>

<p>If you want students to do one short per day or random shorts during a study break, there may be no need to search for a specific topic. But if you&#39;re looking for quick teaching tips on something specific, such as a particular pronunciation or grammar target, what&#39;s the best way to&nbsp;search through Ellii&#39;s shorts?</p>

<p>The easiest way is to use our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ellii/shorts">student YouTube channel</a>. Instagram doesn&#39;t show titles, which makes searching more difficult (though we&#39;ve tried our best to make the topic clear in the thumbnails). And though there are filters on English App/Ellii Solo for long videos, our shorts are not filtered just yet (that&#39;s coming in a later phase, though). That&#39;s why <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ellii/shorts">YouTube</a> is your best bet for search, followed by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/elliienglish/reels/">Instagram</a>.</p>

<h3>YouTube</h3>

<p>To search for a topic on YouTube, go to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@ellii">our channel&#39;s home page</a> and look for the&nbsp;search bar in the tabs on the home page (below the banner). Enter your keywords there, and YouTube will display results only from our&nbsp;channel. Don&#39;t be confused by the main search bar at the top of the page (above the banner)&mdash;that search will give you results from all of YouTube, not just Ellii.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ellii/featured"><img alt="Image of search field on Ellii's YouTube for students channel" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4726/content_Youtube-Channel-Search.jpg" /></a></p>

<h3>Instagram</h3>

<p>While you can&#39;t search for a specific target as well as you can on YouTube, you can filter by general topic (grammar, pronunciation, idioms, etc.) in the highlights area on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/elliienglish/reels/">Ellii&#39;s Instagram page</a>. Within these highlights are all our reels from 2025 grouped by topic that you can quickly flip through or watch one after the other. Note that the story highlight&nbsp;cuts off after a certain amount of time, but you can select &quot;watch full reel&quot; within any story to see the whole thing.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/elliienglish/reels/"><img alt="Image of highlights area on Ellii's Instagram for students account" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4734/content_Instagram-Highlights.png" /></a></p>

<h2>Conclusion</h2>

<p>With Ellii&#39;s short-form videos, you have a lot of quick and easily digestible&nbsp;content at your fingertips. We hope our shorts and reels&nbsp;will be useful for both you and your students!</p>

<blockquote>How have you used Ellii&#39;s shorts in class? Share your experience with us in a comment below, or let us know if there&#39;s a target you&#39;d like us to cover in a short.&nbsp;We love taking requests!</blockquote>


How to Use Ellii's Shorts in Class

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Tour around the ELT conference circuit as our team shares conference highlights and session reviews.

Conferences

<h1>The Happiest Conference</h1>

<p>You may have seen that Disneyland was celebrating its 70th year, but did you know that CASAS was busy marking&nbsp;its own milestone just a few blocks away?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.casas.org/" target="_blank">CASAS</a> (Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems) is used to measure the basic skills of adult learners in the US.&nbsp;CASAS assessments help adult educators identify skill gaps, place students into appropriate programs, and monitor progress of employment-related competencies.</p>

<p>The annual <strong>CASAS Summer Institute</strong> conference was held in Garden Grove last week. Over 1,000&nbsp;attendees gathered to learn, network,&nbsp;and celebrate its 45th year. Ellii was excited to take part!</p>

<p><img alt="Yacht Rocks" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4728/content_boat.jpeg" /></p>

<p class="caption">Not a boat! Ellii team (Tara, Marta, and Wendy) and friends at the CASAS networking social, <em>Yacht Rock!</em>, in the driveway&nbsp;at Hyatt Regency.</p>

<p>Despite&nbsp;<a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/5548-trump-deploys-troops-to-la-immigration-protests" target="_blank">tension in LA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;hazy skies that locals described as&nbsp;<strong>June Gloom</strong>,&nbsp;our week in Garden Grove was filled with&nbsp;<strong>energy</strong>, <strong>hope</strong>, and <strong>camaraderie</strong>.</p>

<p>Here are some highlights and takeaways.</p>

<h2>Learning</h2>

<p>Ellii sponsored, presented at, and attended the CASAS Summer Institute (SI) this year, and it was fun to be a first-timer!&nbsp;&nbsp;As head of Ellii&#39;s content team, I&nbsp;spent my time soaking up information at the sessions, focusing on&nbsp;research about the following hot topics in US adult ed:&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/el-civics" target="_blank">EL Civics (COAAPS)</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/us-civics" target="_blank">Citizenship Preparation</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/?category=6&amp;page=1" target="_blank">IET Programs</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/blog/the-multi-modal-multi-sensory-multi-cultural-power-of-multi-literacy-learning" target="_blank">Multiple Literacies</a>&nbsp;</li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/resources/casas-test-preparation" target="_blank">CASAS STEPS</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h2>Best practices road trip</h2>

<p>It was refreshing to attend an education conference&nbsp;where there were several sessions that barely touched on AI. Every session I attended at CASAS SI was informative and useful for the Ellii team;&nbsp;however, the one I enjoyed the most was a&nbsp;CASAS session titled&nbsp;<em>Best Practices Road Trip</em> by <strong>Laura Fetter</strong> and <strong>Astrid Robitaille</strong>. Throughout the session, educational specialists were invited&nbsp;up to speak about special programs and initiatives that teachers and administrators had implemented in&nbsp;their state.</p>

<p>Educators touched on a variety of topics from <strong>assessment</strong> to <strong>orientation</strong>. One popular tip everyone appreciated was the idea of&nbsp;waiting until Day 2 to assign the CASAS test, which agencies found resulted&nbsp;in fewer students dropping out before they even get started.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the mini-presentations, Laura and Astrid&nbsp;summarized the highlights by reading out postcards, sometimes even attempting to mimic the state&#39;s English accents! The session had all of the essentials of <a href="https://ellii.com/blog/speaking-at-an-elt-conference-top-tips-for-successful-presentations" target="_blank">a successful ELT presentation</a>.</p>

<p><img alt="CASAS best practice road trip session and postcard from CASAS" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4740/content_postcard-road-trip.jpg" /></p>

<h2>Resources</h2>

<p>Ellii received several shout-outs at the sessions, and it was great to hear this enthusiasm in California.&nbsp;Here are some other resources that were shared in the sessions:</p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/CASASAssessment">CASAS YouTube Channel</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://elcivics.otan.us/" target="_blank">EL Civics Exchange</a> (Contact elcivicsATcasas.org to get on the email list)</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship" target="_blank">USCIS Resource Center</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@uscis" target="_blank">USCIS YouTube Channel</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://usahello.org/" target="_blank">USA Hello</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.usalearns.org/" target="_blank">USA Learns</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.cambridge.org/us/esl/venturesadulted/venturesarcade/" target="_blank">Ventures Arcade</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.crowded.worlded.org/skillblox" target="_blank">SkillBlox</a></li>
</ul>

<p>We are now prioritizing a long list of actionables related to content and features, rewriting our own road map&nbsp;to ensure we are providing just what adult educators need. This includes finding out which <strong>civics objectives&nbsp;</strong>our subscribers are focusing on next year, adding more <strong>high-beginner </strong>civics content, amping up our <strong>Citizenship Prep</strong> content,&nbsp;and continuing to build new exploratory&nbsp;<strong>IET courses</strong> that are in high demand.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Presenting</h2>

<p>Wendy Klatt, our education specialist, delivered two&nbsp;presentations at the conference&nbsp;and also managed the booth and poster area where attendees could stop in anytime for live demos, Q&amp;As, and merch!<br />
<br />
In the first presentation, Wendy walked teachers and administrators through <strong>Supporting CASAS STEPS Success with Ellii</strong>, sharing our <a href="https://ellii.com/collections/casas-competencies">CASAS collections</a> and NEW <a href="https://ellii.com/resources/casas-test-preparation" target="_blank">CASAS Test&nbsp;Preparation</a> section, which has a digital/printable practice test for every level of the Reading STEPS and Listening STEPS tests.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Ellii was honored to have <em>Ventures</em> author Donna Price join&nbsp;Wendy for a session on <strong>Connecting Engaging Lessons and Games to the English Language Proficiency Standards</strong>.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Wendy Klatt and Donna Price, enthusiastic attendees at Ellii session at CASAS SI 2025" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4741/content_wendy-donna-audience-ellii.jpg" /></p>

<h2>Networking</h2>

<p>What was different about the CASAS conference from other recent conferences I&#39;ve attended? The CASAS team set the vibe! Even though it was a large conference and it was my first time attending, it had a small, close-knit feeling. People chatted over breakfast, in the elevators, and on the nice breaks between sessions. You saw speakers and attendees more than once. There were scheduled social events, including morning fitness opportunities.</p>

<p>Perhaps most importantly, this conference did not feel rushed. It helped being able to pop up into our rooms whenever we needed to reflect or refresh.</p>

<p><img alt="Kevin and Deb" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4729/content_Kevin-debra.jpeg" /></p>

<p>At breakfast, we met Kevin and Deb (above) from <strong>Dinuba Adult School</strong>. They manage a small adult school outside of Fresno and spoke so highly of their ESL instructor (who they likened to Mary Poppins) whose students come to class even on prep days and feel lost without her when school is not in session.&nbsp;We all felt&nbsp;a renewed sense of gratitude for being in this industry where we can experience a strong sense of purpose at work every day.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Marta Solodun (Ellii COO) and Donna Price (Ventures author)" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4743/content_donna-marta.jpeg" /></p>

<p class="caption">Marta Solodun (Ellii COO) and Donna Price (Ventures author and VIP guest) at the CASAS luncheon</p>

<p>At the booth, I met Lauren, an Ellii super user who has been using our new <a href="https://ellii.com/resources/casas-test-preparation" target="_blank">CASAS Practice Tests,</a> which she described as &quot;more rigorous&quot; than our competitors.&nbsp;We took in the keynote together and chatted about multiple literacies, including financial literacy, AI literacy, and even driver&#39;s literacy. Lauren shared an interesting life-skills&nbsp;learning opportunity that happend&nbsp;in her class when two students bumped into each other in their cars. She brought the class out to the parking lot as they exchanged information and took photos of the scene. The entire class learned language and practical tips to use at the&nbsp;scene of an accident.</p>

<h2>Food &amp; fun</h2>

<p>We did not go hungry at this conference, unlike many others I have attended over the years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A full breakfast was served each day, and&nbsp;coffee&nbsp;and water were widely available. CASAS and its sponsors also provided a luncheon and an outdoor dinner party with food and dancing. In the evenings, friends of Ellii joined us at some&nbsp;local eateries:&nbsp;<strong>Nova Kitchen &amp; Bar</strong> for sushi and mochi and&nbsp;<strong>Puesto Anaheim</strong> for tacos and cocktails. I also enjoyed a 5K run&nbsp;to <strong>Downtown Disneyland</strong>, where I indulged in a kid&#39;s meal at <strong>Ballast Point Brewing</strong>. We even caught the Disney fireworks from our hotel parking lot!</p>

<p><img alt="sushi restaurant Garden Grove" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4731/content_sushi.jpeg" /></p>

<p class="caption">Nova Kitchen &amp; Bar with Tara Benwell (Ellii VP of Publishing), Marta Solodun (Ellii COO), Donna Price (<em>Ventures</em> author), Wendy Klatt (Ellii Education Specialist), and Alisa Takeushi (OTAN)</p>

<h2>Adult ed acronyms</h2>

<p>As Canadians who are often traveling to the US for adult ed conferences, we are constantly learning new acronyms. Here are some that came up often at the CASAS conference last week and might be useful for anyone who is new to this industry or market.</p>

<blockquote>
<p>ABE: Adult Basic Education</p>

<p>AEFLA: Adult Education and Family Literacy Act</p>

<p>CAEP:&nbsp;Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (a nonprofit organization that accredits educator preparation programs)</p>

<p>CASAS:&nbsp;Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (assessments that measure the basic skills of adult learners in the US)</p>

<p>CCR: College and Career Readiness Standards</p>

<p>COAAPS:&nbsp;Civic Objectives and Additional Assessment Plans (pre-approved objectives and assessment plans designed to help adult learners develop civic knowledge and skills in California)</p>

<p>ELA: English Language Acquisition</p>

<p>ELP: English Language Proficiency standards</p>

<p>IELCE:&nbsp;Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (education services provided to the English language learners who are adults&nbsp;to help them achieve competency in English language and acquire skills needed to function effectively as parents, workers, and citizens in the US)</p>

<p>IET:&nbsp;Integrated Education and Training (blends adult ed/ESL with workforce training and preparation)</p>

<p>N-400: application for naturalization in the US</p>

<p>NRS: National Report System for adult education (the accountability system for federally funded adult ed&nbsp;programs in the US)</p>

<p>OTAN:&nbsp;Outreach and Technical Assistance Network (provides support for instructional technology and distance learning to literacy and adult educators&nbsp;in California)</p>

<p>STEPS: CASAS&#39;s Student Test of English Progress and Success&nbsp;</p>

<p>USCIS:&nbsp;United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (government agency that processes immigration applications in the US)</p>

<p>WIOA:&nbsp;Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services)</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Thank you to CASAS organizers and friends Jane, Jennifer, and Karla for making us feel welcome and putting on an outstanding conference. We hope to see you next year for CASAS Summer Institute 2026!&nbsp;</p>

<p>PS. If you haven&#39;t tried Ellii&#39;s NEW&nbsp;<a href="https://ellii.com/resources/casas-test-preparation" target="_blank">CASAS Practice Tests</a>, we hope you&#39;ll check them out and send us some feedback.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


CASAS Summer Institute 2025: Reflections & Takeaways

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<p>Once upon a time, literacy skills referred to reading and writing. However,&nbsp;we now access and process information in multiple ways, not simply through interpreting texts. Therefore, we need to support learners to develop multiple literacy skills to help them navigate the world successfully.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In this post, I&#39;ll explore the more complex and intertwined nature of the various literacies learners need, and how to integrate them into the English language classroom.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Multiliteracies</strong></h2>

<p>There are various interpretations and classifications of multiple literacies. These depend on the organization and their&nbsp;goals. These&nbsp;often include literacies such as: &nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li>Textual Literacy (also referred to as Reading and Writing Literacy)</li>
	<li>Critical Literacy (the abilility to think critically and&nbsp;question sources of&nbsp;information)</li>
	<li>Information Literacy (aka Media Literacy)</li>
	<li>Visual Literacy&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Digital Literacy, which could also include Social Media and AI Literacy</li>
	<li>Financial Literacy</li>
	<li>Mathematical or Numerical Literacy (aka Numeracy)</li>
	<li>Global Literacy (aka Intercultural, Cultural, or Social Literacy)</li>
</ul>

<p>In some ways, there is crossover between life skills development and multiliteracy development. For example, mathematical literacy could also be referred to as math or numeracy skills. Likewise, visual literacy requires other skills such as critical thinking, interpretation, and creativity.&nbsp;</p>

<p>You can read more about life skills development here:&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/blog/top-tips-for-incorporating-life-skills-into-your-classroom">6 Tips for Incorporating Life Skills into Your English Language Lessons</a></p>

<h2><strong>Multimodal&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The information we interact with today is multimodal. Therefore, in order to prepare learners for the real world, we need to equip them with a variety of literacy skills to interpret&nbsp;and use it successfully and responsibly.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Here are some examples of the different modes of information sources:&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li>Photos</li>
	<li>Videos</li>
	<li>Infographics</li>
	<li>Diagrams &amp; Graphs</li>
	<li>Illustrations &amp; Artwork</li>
</ul>

<p>Students can be guided to develop their skills in understanding,&nbsp;interpreting, and creating the content within these information sources. In order to do so, they will need to use multiple literacies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Luckily for teachers, many resources are already full of multimodal texts. For example, let&#39;s use some of Ellii&#39;s money-themed lessons.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Word Bank Readers: At the Bank&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>At first, learners watch the video. They use their textual literacy skills to read the subtitles and write down notes. As they watch, they use their visual literacy skills to follow the story of Sheila going to the bank. After watching, they might discuss what problems Sheila had and how she solved them, utilizing their financial, digital, critical, and social&nbsp;literacy skills. They could personalize this further by comparing alternative ways to do this, such as using their digital skills to bank online. To incorporate global skills, they could investigate currencies or banking differences around the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>You can access this lesson here:<strong>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://ellii.com/video/a-trip-to-the-bank">https://ellii.com/video/a-trip-to-the-bank</a></p>

<p>As extension tasks, learners could use their digital literacy&nbsp;to work through the tasks in their Ellii Classroom.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They could also:</p>

<ul>
	<li>activate their global and visual literacy by discussing this intriguing photo prompt: <a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/3956-money-money-money">Money, Money, Money</a></li>
</ul>

<p><img alt="Ellii Money Money Money Photo Prompt" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4690/content_photo-prompt-money-money-money-Ellii.jpg" /></p>

<ul>
	<li>use textual and visual&nbsp;literacy to watch and take notes of this self-study video:&nbsp;<a href="https://ellii.com/video/at-the-bank">At the Bank</a></li>
	<li>Explore their financial literacy more with this lesson on <a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/1210-retirement-savings">Retirement Savings</a></li>
	<li>Have them use their digital and media literacy skills to create a vlog, podcast, or blog on the topic</li>
</ul>

<h2><strong>Multisensory</strong></h2>

<p>The multimodal nature of information consumption is a multisensory process. Learners will interact with the content using a range of senses. This can help them to learn through doing as well as keeping them motivated by adding variety and movement&nbsp;to classroom activities. For example:&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li>listening to a story</li>
	<li>reading a text</li>
	<li>talking to a partner about the topic</li>
	<li>writing notes or an article</li>
	<li>performing a role-play</li>
	<li>smelling or tasting food from a recipe they followed</li>
	<li>creating a poster or information board</li>
</ul>

<h2><strong>Multicultural</strong></h2>

<p>English language classes are often multicultural. Our learners bring a wonderfully unique blend of beliefs, experiences, cultures, and backgrounds to class. Helping them to develop their social, emotional, and global literacies aid intercultural understanding and can facilitate some interesting real-world discussions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Here are some Ellii materials&nbsp;you might want to use to incorporate global literacies:&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/lessons/easy-news-stories">Easy News Stories:</a> These simple news articles cover a range of real-world topics. They are perfect for having students consider unfamiliar cultures, learn about global challenges. and consider ways that they can make the world a better place.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/media/videos/current-events">Associated Press Videos:</a> These short video clips cover diverse topics such as <a href="https://ellii.com/video/k-pop-exhibition-in-london-museum">K-pop culture</a>, <a href="https://ellii.com/video/stranger-things-stars-open-up-about-mental-health">mental health</a>, and <a href="https://ellii.com/video/india-s-hindus-celebrate-colorful-holi-festival">religious festivals</a>. Students will enjoy using their visual and media literacy skills to explore authentic topics of social, emotional, and global importance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>You may also be interested in this blog post on <a href="https://ellii.com/blog/social-emotional-learning">social-emotional learning</a>, which shares some ways to develop learners&#39; social and emotional literacies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>We also highly recommend watching this video of Nik Peachey&#39;s session on Multimodality in the English Language Teaching and Learning&nbsp;at the APPI Conference in Portugal.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ky_tP7FM4fw?si=tqKDSL8hJ6kqvKjw" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<blockquote>
<p>What experience do you have of incorporating multiliteracies into the classroom? Which ones do you feel are particularly important to your learners? We&#39;d love to know your thoughts, ideas, and tips in the comments.&nbsp;</p>
</blockquote>


The Multimodal, Multisensory, Multicultural Power of Multiliteracy Learning

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What to Teach this Week

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</ul>

<h2><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/new-content/new-in-2024" target="_blank">What&#39;s New in 2025?</a></h2>

<p>Explore and filter through Ellii&#39;s most recently released content in these monthly <a href="https://ellii.com/collections/new-content" target="_blank">What&#39;s New?</a> collections.&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/new-content/may-2025-new-content" target="_blank">May</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/new-content/april-2025-new-content" target="_blank">April</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/new-content/march-2025-new-content" target="_blank">March</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/new-content/february-2025-new-content" target="_blank">February</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/new-content/january-2025-new-content" target="_blank">January</a></li>
</ul>

<h2><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/new-content/new-in-2024" target="_blank">What Was New in 2024?</a></h2>

<p>Check out 1,286 results!</p>

<h2>Lesson Plan Calendar</h2>

<p>Find monthly features on Ellii&#39;s <a href="https://ellii.com/calendar" target="_blank">Lesson Plan Calendar</a>.</p>


Ellii's Weekly Newsletter

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<p>In the latest episode of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a>, hosts Anna and Sh&eacute; explore how educators can build rapport in virtual classrooms, drawing lessons from the transition to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are joined by Bob Nguyen, an ESL instructor at Saddleback Community College, who spent the previous five years working in person and virtually in T&uuml;rkiye. Bob shares how he used technology to bridge the gap between teacher and student. By sharing his &quot;COVID space&quot; online, Bob modeled authenticity and used tools like Padlet and Loom to ensure inclusive student participation.</p>

<p>In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/episodes/episode/20c5ccbf/e69-digital-hallways-creating-connection-in-the-online-classroom-with-bob-nguyen" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Episode 69 - Digital Hallways: Creating Connection in the Online Classroom</a>, Bob discusses leveraging platforms such as Gather Town, which mimics the dynamics of real-life spaces in a virtual environment, allowing students to engage informally. This gamified setup encourages interaction, crucial for building community and making sure&nbsp;no student voice is left unheard. In digital classrooms, it is important to make intentional efforts to create connections.&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote><em>&ldquo;Creating digital spaces where students feel comfortable sharing and building connections is essential.&rdquo; &mdash;Bob Nguyen</em></blockquote>

<p>The episode concludes with a reflection on how these virtual innovations can enhance traditional teaching methods. By integrating digital tools, teachers can create dynamic learning environments that foster genuine connections. Anna and Sh&eacute; encourage listeners to consider how their online teaching experiences have enriched their practices, emphasizing the ongoing value of community building in both digital and analog spaces.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q8wl6ZGyV3Y?si=IFuYE1VCMFK-qp6V" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>🎙️&nbsp;<strong>Listen now on your favorite platform:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/episodes" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2zv5mVNpSqkDNiNbQlnm7B" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-teacher-think-aloud-podcast/id1629819608" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<p>🔗&nbsp;<strong>Follow The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast on social media for more updates:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/teacher-think-aloud/?" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/teacherthinkaloud" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CzGrcVFBuEH/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/thinkaloudpod.bsky.social" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Bluesky</a></li>
</ul>


Building Rapport in the Digital Hallways: Insights from Bob Nguyen

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<p>Putting&nbsp;learners at the center of their learning experience is absolutely critical for successful teaching. It helps us&nbsp;plan lessons on topics that interest them, which, in turn, helps them to stay motivated and achieve their goals. It also shows our learners that we care about them, have their best interests at heart, and have considered their needs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In this blog post, I&#39;ll explore some ways to get to know your learners better, whether on the first day of class or throughout the term.&nbsp;</p>

<h1><strong>Learn their names</strong></h1>

<p>This sounds super basic, but it is one of the most important ways to show that you care about every individual learner. <a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/1211-your-name" target="_blank">Your name</a> is a core part of who you are, so hearing it said correctly makes you feel valued. On the flip side, when someone gets it wrong, it can be annoying or even make us feel unimportant. Therefore, we have to take time to learn every student&#39;s name.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As language teachers who teach learners from around the world, we may often have to learn new and unfamiliar names. It can be helpful to use name badges, write students&#39; names&nbsp;on the board, or have a seating plan to refer to until you have committed their names&nbsp;to memory.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is especially important to get the spelling and pronunciation correct. Don&#39;t be afraid to ask for clarification on how to say someone&#39;s name. They&#39;ll appreciate that you are trying to get it right.&nbsp;</p>

<p>To help you remember names, you can use Ellii&#39;s printable <a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/2209-class-list%C2%A0">Class List</a>. This handy chart&nbsp;also&nbsp;has a column for &quot;preferred name&quot; in case students prefer to use a nickname or shortened version of their name. You may also want to try this popular Ellii Poll about <a href="https://app.ellii.com/gather/polls/names" target="_blank">Names</a>.</p>

<p><img alt="Ellii Class List" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4681/content_Class-list-Ellii.png" /></p>

<h1><strong>Use introduction activities</strong></h1>

<p>The first days of class are critical for making a good impression and getting to know your learners. They are an opportunity to find out your learners&#39; language level, skills, interests, and goals. They are also a great excuse to have a bit of fun, <a href="https://ellii.com/collections/academic-subjects/communication-skills/getting-acquainted" target="_blank">help learners get to know each other</a>, and instantly start using their language skills to communicate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One activity&nbsp;I love (which also&nbsp;helps the class learn each other&#39;s names)&nbsp;is a simple ball game. Have students stand in a circle. One student calls out a classmate&#39;s name, asks a question of their choice&nbsp;(e.g., What is your favorite sport?), and then throws the ball to the person whose name they called. That person then answers the question, calls another classmate&#39;s name, asks another question, and throws the ball. This continues until everyone has had a turn and has learned&nbsp;a few facts about each other.&nbsp;</p>

<p>You can find&nbsp;ideas for activities to do on the first day of class here:&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/blog/4-fun-ways-to-warm-up-a-new-class">4 Fun Activities to Warm Up a New Class</a></li>
</ul>

<h1><strong>Build relationships</strong></h1>

<p>Getting to know your learners isn&#39;t just an&nbsp;activity for the first week of class. Developing strong rapport with them happens over time. Taking&nbsp;note of topics that interest them and then using these to choose future lessons will be appreciated by learners.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The language classroom has many opportunities for learners to share their interests. These will undoubtedly come up in conversation organically. However, you can also build in time at the beginning or end of lessons for relaxed &quot;small-talk&quot; conversations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For example, you could set aside the first five minutes of a lesson for learners to share:</p>

<ul>
	<li>something exciting&nbsp;they did recently</li>
	<li>something they are planning to do&nbsp;</li>
	<li>something interesting they read online</li>
</ul>

<p>Relaxed discussions such as these are a great way for&nbsp;students to practice their conversation skills and for you to get to know them better.&nbsp;</p>

<p>You could also try these materials&nbsp;from&nbsp;Ellii:</p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/1749-making-small-talk">Making Small Talk</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/lessons/mini-debates">Mini-Debates</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/resources/warm-ups-fillers">Warm-Ups &amp; Fillers</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/3351-conversation-questions-group-digital" target="_blank">Conversation Questions</a></li>
</ul>

<p><img alt="Getting Acquainted screenshot" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4677/content_getting-aquainted-Ellii.png" /></p>

<h1><strong>Create individual learning plans&nbsp;</strong></h1>

<p>Individual learning plans (ILPs) are a great way to get to know learners. They allow students time to reflect on their current skills, prior learning,&nbsp;language level, goals, and ways to achieve those goals.</p>

<p>You can use ILPs in class to have students think about their learning. Although ILPs are&nbsp;personal by nature, it can also be impactful for learners to share their ideas, goals, helpful resources, and learning strategies with each other. Use your discretion to decide if&nbsp;this could work with your particular learners.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Check out one of <a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/2127-my-language-goals">Ellii&#39;s ILPs</a>:</p>

<p><img alt="My Language Goals screenshot" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4680/content_My-language-goals-2-Ellii.png" /></p>

<p><img alt="My Information Continued screenshot" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/4679/content_My-language-goals-1-Ellii.png" /></p>

<h1><strong>Use visual storytelling techniques</strong></h1>

<p>Using visual metaphors can be a fun way to help learners&nbsp;think about their learning. You can draw these, use Ellii&#39;s flashcards, or look for copyright-free icons online.</p>

<p>Here are some ideas for visual metaphors:&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li>use a road map, pathway, or river to have students think about the distance they have traveled and where they would like to be in their language-learning journey</li>
	<li>use a target with arrows to have students think about their goals and how to achieve them&nbsp;</li>
	<li>use a seed, a sapling, a small tree, and a fully grown tree to signify their current level of skills&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<p>You can find more ideas on how to implement these suggestions using Ellii&#39;s flashcards&nbsp;in this blog post:&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/blog/twelve-ellii-flashcards-for-reflection">12 Ellii Flashcards for Planning &amp; Reflection</a></li>
</ul>

<blockquote>
<p>These are just a few ways to get to know your learners. What has worked for you? Share your ideas in the comments.&nbsp;</p>
</blockquote>


Getting to Know Your Learners: Supercharging Learner-Centered Teaching

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<h2>You teach English, but how well do you know its history?&nbsp;</h2>

<p>What does English have in common with French, Russian, and Sanskrit? They all&nbsp;evolved from the same parent language, which linguists call <strong>Proto-Indo-European (PIE</strong>). There isn&#39;t a written record of PIE, but we know it existed because of cognates that can be found in each of these languages.</p>

<p>Cognates are words in different languages that come from the same root. Unlike loan words, <strong>cognates</strong> do not move from one language to another through contact. The word form in a cognate set is native to several languages. Typically, these are basic vocabulary words that early humans used for the most essential communication. Compare English&nbsp;<em>one</em>,&nbsp;<em>two</em>, and&nbsp;<em>three&nbsp;</em>with French&nbsp;<em>un, deux</em>, and&nbsp;<em>trois</em>, or English&nbsp;<em>mother&nbsp;</em>and&nbsp;<em>father&nbsp;</em>with Spanish&nbsp;<em>madre&nbsp;</em>and&nbsp;<em>padre.</em></p>

<blockquote>
<p><em>Fun Fact</em><br />
Not all languages in the Indo-European region belong to the PIE family. One example, Basque, is a language isolate&mdash;which means it isn&rsquo;t related to any known language.&nbsp;</p>
</blockquote>

<h2>Old English</h2>

<p>English comes from the <strong>Proto-Germanic </strong>branch of the PIE tree, which means that it evolved from the same PIE descendant that produced German, Dutch, and the Scandinavian languages. Old English developed out of the combined dialects of Germanic tribes called the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, who invaded Britain in the 5th century. These tribes originally used a runic alphabet called the&nbsp;<em>futhorc.</em>&nbsp;The Anglo-Saxons adopted the Latin alphabet after Roman missionaries arrived to spread Christianity to England.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Old English was an inflected language, like Latin. It didn&rsquo;t use many function words like pronouns, conjunctions, or prepositions. Instead, it used suffixes that communicated a word&rsquo;s role in a sentence. Most of these suffixes have fallen out of the language, but we still inflect the plural (<em>-s</em>), the past tense (<em>-ed</em>), and the possessive (<em>&rsquo;s</em>), along with a few other grammatical categories. One theory about the fate of our inflectional suffixes is that we lost them to simplify communication with Scandinavian settlers, who invaded England in the 9th century. The settlers spoke Old Norse, which paired familiar Germanic roots with an entirely different set of inflections. By the Middle English period, English speakers had replaced most inflections with function words. Word order had also become more important for clarity.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>What&rsquo;s with all the Latin words?</h2>

<p>Even though English is a Germanic language, it also shows influence from the Romance languages&mdash;the PIE branches that evolved from Latin. English has always borrowed religious and scholarly words from Latin, but another source of Romance roots in our vocabulary is the Norman Conquest of 1066, which established a French-speaking ruling class in England for more than 100 years.</p>

<p>During this time, English was rarely written down, and when it was, it was done by French scribes, who changed the largely phonetic English spellings to align with French conventions. We can thank these scribes for letter combinations like&nbsp;<em>qu&nbsp;</em>and&nbsp;<em>th&nbsp;</em>for the /kw/ and /&theta;/ sounds.</p>

<p>During the Renaissance, English scholars also respelled words that had Greek or Latin roots, resulting in even more spelling eccentricities&mdash;<em>ph&nbsp;</em>for /f/, for example. 17th-century British colonialism also caused English to absorb some non-PIE vocabulary, especially from indigenous North American, Oceanic, and African languages.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Standard spelling &amp; grammar</h2>

<p>Spelling only began to standardize during the 15th and 16th centuries&nbsp;in response to mass printing and rising literacy rates. In the 18th century, English scholars set out to standardize grammar,&nbsp;too&mdash;often inventing rules that they hoped would make English more like Latin. We still teach and follow many of these rules, but others, like those that dictate proper use of the subjunctive mood and the modal verb&nbsp;<em>shall</em>, are now almost obsolete.</p>

<blockquote>
<p>Languages often lose features when they&rsquo;re no longer effective or necessary for common understanding.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Today&rsquo;s linguists usually take a descriptive approach, documenting how people use the language rather than promoting a standard. Many colloquial constructions in modern English actually follow complex rules and contain subtle distinctions of meaning. And because English has become the most widely spoken second language in the world, groups of speakers from all over bring their own innovations to the table.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Related Ellii lesson</h2>

<p><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/3591-the-english-language">The English Language</a></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/daPOris7VH8?si=8-zRC_RZUhtkw7bg" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h3>Sources</h3>

<ul>
	<li><em>The English Language: A Linguistic History&nbsp;</em>by Laurel J. Brinton and Leslie K. Arnovick (Oxford University Press, 2006)</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology-south-east/news/2021/may/riddles-old-english-runes" target="_blank">The Riddles in Old English Runes&nbsp;</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Histengl/spelling.html" target="_blank">The History of English</a>&nbsp;</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.oxfordinternationalenglish.com/a-brief-history-of-the-english-language/" target="_blank">A Brief History of the English Language</a>&nbsp;</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/England/People" target="_blank">People of England</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>


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