Research-informed guides for English teachers
Clear, citation-ready references on the frameworks and skills that matter in the classroom — from the CEFR and exam scales to assessment, methodology and responsible AI use. Written and reviewed by Ian L. Evans.
20 guides across 6 topic areas
Browse by topic
Frameworks & Exam Scales
4The CEFR, IELTS bands and the Cambridge English Scale — how the standards work and how to apply them.
Language Systems
3Grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation — teaching the building blocks of the language.
The Four Skills
4Reading, writing, listening and speaking — subskills, task design and classroom sequences.
Assessment & Feedback
3Formative assessment, marking protocols, error correction and building learner self-regulation.
Teaching Practice
4Methodology, lesson planning frameworks and day-to-day classroom management.
AI for TEFL
2Competency frameworks, policy and responsible use of generative AI in language teaching.
Frameworks & Exam Scales
4 guidesThe CEFR, IELTS bands and the Cambridge English Scale — how the standards work and how to apply them.
CEFR
Comprehensive Guide to the CEFR 2020 Companion Volume: Frameworks & Descriptors
A structured guide to the 2020 CEFR Companion Volume: what changed from 2001, the new mediation, online interaction and plurilingual descriptors, and exact Can-Do wording for teachers.
Read guideCEFR Can-Do Descriptors: Implementing the Action-Oriented Approach
A practical guide to CEFR can-do descriptors and the action-oriented approach: how to translate A1–C2 proficiency statements into daily lesson objectives, self-assessment grids, and curriculum goals.
Read guideLanguage Systems
3 guidesGrammar, vocabulary and pronunciation — teaching the building blocks of the language.
The Four Skills
4 guidesReading, writing, listening and speaking — subskills, task design and classroom sequences.
Assessment & Feedback
3 guidesFormative assessment, marking protocols, error correction and building learner self-regulation.
Assessment
Formative Assessment and Feedback Protocols in English Language Teaching
How to design formative assessment and feedback in ELT: formative vs summative, criterion-referenced rubrics, and rater calibration using inter-rater reliability (ICC).
Read guideLearning-Oriented Assessment: Fostering Learner Autonomy & Self-Regulation
How Learning-Oriented Assessment (LOA) transforms evaluation into a tool for self-regulated learning: transparent criteria, metacognitive strategies, self-assessment, and peer assessment in ELT.
Read guideTeaching Practice
4 guidesMethodology, lesson planning frameworks and day-to-day classroom management.
Classroom Management
Differentiated Instruction in ELT: Strategies for Mixed-Ability Classrooms
A practical guide to differentiated instruction in mixed-ability English classes: how to differentiate content, process, product and environment using flexible grouping, tiered tasks and scaffolding.
Read guideOptimising Teacher Talk Time (TTT) and Classroom Interaction Patterns
How to optimise Teacher Talk Time (TTT) in ELT: practical benchmarks, Instruction Check Questions (ICQs), interaction patterns (pair, group, mingle), and strategies for maximising student talk time.
Read guideAI for TEFL
2 guidesCompetency frameworks, policy and responsible use of generative AI in language teaching.
AI for TEFL
UNESCO AI Competency Framework for Teachers: Pedagogical Integration Guide
A structured guide to the UNESCO AI Competency Framework for Teachers (2024): its five dimensions, three progression levels (Acquire, Deepen, Create) and 15 competencies for ethical AI integration.
Read guideGenerative AI in Education: Responsible Use Policies & Institutional Guidelines
How language schools and teachers can set responsible generative-AI policies: the human-in-the-loop principle, student data privacy (including FERPA), the unreliability of AI detectors, and transparent citation.
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