We are living in strange times, when a degree of resilience is required of all of us. As might be predicted, English teachers around the world are stepping up to the mark and doing what is necessary to keep their lessons going, whether this means a sudden switch to online teaching with Zoom meetings, online webinars and work sent to students via a variety of Virtual Learning Environments – or, where permitted, simply keeping calm and carrying on in the classroom.

As you might expect, I have received a flurry of ‘virus-themed’ articles over the past month or so, and you will find a number of these in this issue of ETp. I have chosen those that I felt could offer the most helpful advice to teachers struggling with the changeover to online teaching – and those that would present a beacon of hope in difficult times. So, thanks to Ulla Fürstenberg and Elke Beder-Hubmann, Anastasiya Shalamay, Julian Burnley, Lucas Kohnke, Huma Hasna Riaz Ahmed, Derek Wong and Russell Stannard for sharing their expertise.

Our main feature, by Danny Norrington-Davies, is not connected to the Covid-19 crisis and is the first of two articles on dealing with emergent language. Danny’s article will be followed in the next issue by one from Richard Chinn, which will offer practical tips and techniques on the topic.

We also have three articles on creativity: two of these (by Roxy Lee and Stewart Gray, and by Paul Drury) are about creativity in teaching young learners. The other is by Antonia Clare and Alan Marsh and has two activities for you to try out with learners of any age.

In place of our usual It Works in Practice section, in this issue we have a celebration of the Langwich Scool cartoons, drawn by Jon Marks. Sadly, Jon has ended the series after over 20 years. We will miss him.

I would like to finish by sending all of you my very best wishes for the coming weeks, and I hope that you and your students are staying safe and staying well.

 

Helena Gomm

Editor

Email: helena.gomm@pavpub.com