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Hello,

This month it's just a quick word to let you know the new "Under the Sea" theme is now up on the site, and to bring a cool little "Gorilla Game"!

Under the Sea: New Song, Minicards & Flashcards

It's Summer, and now there's a cool Genki English Summer theme. I tried this out in my workshops over the weekend, and in a first grade class yesterday and it's magical! If you're a CD Owner ( http://genkienglish.net/members.htm ) it's free on the website.

http://genkienglish.net/underthesea.htm

There'll also be an "Under the Sea" mini lesson on the Kids Page later in the week; http://genkienglish.net/start.htm

Using Sticky Fingers to teach less easy words

Sometimes if the kids are having trouble with a theme that has lots of new words, one good idea is to teach say the first four words, then play a short game, then teach a new word, then the game again etc. For example in the Under the Sea theme above, it's cool to teach 4 words. Then play sticky fingers ( http://genkienglish.net/Sticky.htm ). One round of this game only takes 3 or 4 minutes, so then you can introduce a new word. Then another round of the game, then another word. The cool thing is that mixing things up makes sure neither learning the new words, nor the game become boring. And before you know it, the kids have finished the theme without realising it! Try it out, it works great.

This Month's Game: Gorilla

Genki English viewer Caleb Zimmerman has sent in a great "Gorilla Game" that's now on the site ( http://genkienglish.net/gamesreaders.htm#gorilla ).

One really cool technique Caleb has come up with is to put random Gorilla cards in a pack of picture cards you wish to review. The kids say the words on the cards as usual, but when the Gorilla card comes up they get chased to the chalkboard! Great fun!

EU-Japan Year of People-to-People Exchanges Video Clip Competition - Tokyo July 15th

If you're interested in doing exchange or video projects with your students and live near Tokyo, then be sure to attend this British Council organised event. I'll be there along with many other people to give advice and help about doing exchange projects as well just having a chat over some food & drink.

"It's not what you've done in class, it's what the kids can do that counts"

.I often get asked by teachers if I have any new themes for them. I usually reply by saying "Sure, there are loads on the site!", to which the reply is often "Yeah, but I've done that. And I've done that, and I've done that......".

But one of the important things to realise is that it doesn't really matter what you've "done" in class, what really matters is if the kids can actually understand and use that English.

How do you achieve this? With an integrated review policy!

Now if you only teach a class once per year then this chapter probably isn't for you, but for everyone else, here are a few ideas that should help get your kids actually using the English you teach them.

http://genkienglish.net/reviewing.htm

And Finally...

That's all for now, there's a ton of new stuff coming up on the website soon. I'm also going to be in Okayama, Okinawa, Kagoshima and Nagoya in the next few weeks - please come along! http://genkienglish.net/oxford.htm

And if you're about to join the JET Programme this year, I'll be having a workshop at the Tokyo Orientations, be sure to come along, it'll be the most energising event of the conference! "Be Genki!" Tips & Tricks to be a Top ALT.

Till next month,

Be genki,


Richard ====================== And if you like the ideas in this newsletter, please feel free to pass it along to your friends!

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