What's in Your Pencil Case, Erica?
This article is part of a series of interviews with selected teachers in which I explore the relationship between last-minute relief teaching and the principle of teaching with minimal resources. I wanted to find out more about their approaches to teaching unexpectedly and with limited class preparation time.
#28, Erica Woolman, Melbourne
Erica Woolman is much-loved among the Melbourne ELT community. An extremely experienced teacher, Erica could deliver any lesson with absolutely nothing, however she is much more organised than that.Question 1: You have been asked to deliver an academic class that starts in 30 minutes' time. What’s on your desk or in your bag or pencil case that you can grab to use in class?
Firstly, I start my lesson with a good chunky warmer, could be discussion questions that I have dictated onto the board. Or it could be speaking cards from one of my favourite books, for example English File, or for an exam class I love the IELTS Resource Pack. Secondly, I always bring blank paper in lots of different sizes.
Question 2: What will you do with this item?
I like using the blank papers because it helps the students to create their own resources for each other. Standard A4 size paper can be used for brainstorming vocabulary in small groups. Groups can also use this size of paper to write dialogues and perform them to the class.
On smaller pieces of paper, groups can revise vocabulary by creating a game of Taboo for another group. Larger A3 size paper can be used for group posters or presentations to the class.
Question 4: Do you generally work to a minimal-resource class plan, or are you a collector of teacher tools? If you are a collector, what is the item you have made the most use of in your time as a teacher?
I am a collector and I have a really long list of minimal resources activities. I also do have a big collection of printed resources from series such as English File, or Grammar Games and Activities by Peter Watchyn-Jones, Inside Out, and more.
I like to have both my mental list and also printed resources on-hand, so in case there’s no photocopier or internet I can still survive the class!
Read Erica's full interview here.
