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The Language Teaching Toolkit

150+ activities for getting languages to stick

By: Dr Andy Goldhawk


$21.95

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Products specifications
Attribute nameAttribute value
FormatPaperback
ISBN9781785837692
Size198 x 126mm
Pages128
PublishedMay 2026

Packed with more than 150 engaging language learning activities, this essential guide offers teachers a practical, time-saving resource they’ll return to again and again.

Covering all key language skills - reading, writing, speaking and listening - this accessible book brings together a wide range of techniques that will improve language learning and retention. Each activity is clearly explained, with suggested timings and language levels, so that teachers can incorporate them immediately into their pedagogical practices. The book draws on a variety of teaching approaches and activity types, and includes ice breakers, plenaries, group work, homework tasks, formative assessment ideas and more.

The Language Teaching Toolkit will help teachers explore new ideas, vary their pedagogical approach and meet their students’ needs with ease. Whether you're planning a revision session, assessing students’ progress, or looking for fresh inspiration, these activities are easy to implement and adaptable across levels.

Ideal for trainees and early career language teachers, as well as more experienced language teachers.


Picture for author Dr Andy Goldhawk

Dr Andy Goldhawk

Dr Andy Goldhawk teaches on various postgraduate programmes at the University of the West of England, Bristol, including the MA in Education Leadership (which he co-leads), the PG Cert (teaching and learning in Higher Education), and the Doctorate in Education. He was previously an adult ESOL lecturer for fifteen years. During that period, he was also programme lead and a teaching and learning coach.


Reviews

  1. This is a practical and highly useful toolkit for language teachers. Andy’s concise explanations make this accessible to novice teachers aiming to plan lessons quickly, but it is equally useful for experienced colleagues looking to expand their repertoire.

    I signpost teachers almost weekly to Andy’s previous two books, The Super Quick Guides. I expect this toolkit will also frequently be pulled from my shelf to show to colleagues.

    Andy packs this toolkit with time savers including links to resource websites and guidance on how to use generative AI to produce effective learning resources.

    This toolkit also seems useful for teachers beyond language dis­ciplines. Many activities can easily be used or adapted for icebreakers, to build rapport among learners, or to support learn­ers in exploring the foundational concepts of various disciplines.

    Dr Shaun Mudd, Head of Teaching Expertise Development, Bath Spa University

  2. Andy’s book adds to the ‘buffet of languages’ strategies that established and confident teachers can intersperse within a les­son or as a homework activity to engage and reinforce prior and/or new learning. This collection of 150+ activities for getting lan­guages to stick are part of creating multiple cross-modality opportunities for learners to really show you what they know, what they can do, and how they can be creative with lan­guage. These activities could form part of your classroom (or departmental) formative assessment approach too, which cre­ates opportunities for learners to really show you what has stuck, and what needs revisiting. As with any good classroom activity, they can be easily adapted to support the learners in front of you and could be used as an individual, a pair, or group task. Some activities do require some prior thought and preparation; I do think that the authentic resources in your classrooms and departments can be dusted off and used in relation to many of these activities. Whether you are an EAL/ESL or English teacher or international language teacher, there are activities in here that you will know and more activities you’ll want to get to know and that you’ll love! As a departmental head, you can absolutely work collaboratively on elements of these across classrooms and teams, developing skills, classroom activities, and practice as a department whilst also building resources and maximising time. One thing is for sure, your learners will become increasingly more active, more engaged, and increasingly confident in the language they are learning, so get ready to sprinkle these across your les­sons and out-of-hours learning.

  3. A fantastically easy-to-use toolkit, full of creative and fun ideas to bring language teaching to life. A comprehensive toolkit, which equips every language teacher with an abundance of engaging and effective activities. A must-have book to ensure language teaching is no longer dull.

  4. This book provides a comprehensive collection of versatile and thoughtfully curated activities designed for language educators across all languages whether they are working with beginners or advanced learners. A wide range of activities accommodates varying preparation times, with quick, ready-to-use activities for the time-pressed teacher and more in-depth exercises for those with more flexibility. The tasks are easily adaptable to different languages and learner abilities, which ensures broad classroom applicability. The activities included are not only useful but proven crowd pleasers and create a balance between educa­tional value and learner engagement. They are also designed to actively involve learners, encouraging individual, pair, and group participation, allowing for deeper linguistic exploration whilst building learner confidence and curiosity.

    No matter the language that you are teaching this resource offers a set of flexible and engaging ideas to support your lan­guage instruction.


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