As teachers, we are constantly searching for ways to help our students learn and succeed. With the rise of digital learning tools, we now have more options than ever before. One tool that has gained popularity in recent years is Microsoft's Immersive Reader, and for good reason.
 
Immersive Reader is a powerful tool that can benefit all students, regardless of their learning abilities. It allows students to customize the reading experience to their needs, including changing font size and color, line spacing, and more. This helps to reduce visual distractions and makes reading more accessible to all.
 
But that's not all. Immersive Reader also includes text-to-speech capabilities, which can help students who struggle with reading or have a visual impairment. It can also help to improve fluency and comprehension skills by highlighting the text as it is read aloud.
 
Additionally, Immersive Reader has translation capabilities, which can benefit students who are learning English as a second language. It supports a wide range of languages, making it a valuable tool for diverse classrooms.
 
Teachers who have used Immersive Reader in their classrooms have reported positive results. Students are more engaged in their learning, and their comprehension and reading skills have improved. The customizable features have also allowed teachers to better cater to the unique needs of each student.
 
Microsoft's Immersive Reader is a fantastic tool for teachers to use in their classrooms. It is versatile, accessible, and can benefit students of all learning abilities. By incorporating this tool into our teaching, we can create a more inclusive learning environment and help our students succeed.
 
 
here's a brief step-by-step guide on how to use Microsoft's Immersive Reader:

1. Open the document you want to read with Immersive Reader.
2. Highlight the text you want to be read aloud, and then right-click on the selected text.
3. Click on "Immersive Reader" from the menu that appears.
4. Immersive Reader will open in a new tab, with the selected text displayed in a clean, distraction-free interface.
5. Use the toolbar to adjust the text size, font, and color scheme.
6. To have the text read aloud, click on the "Play" / "read aloud" button on the toolbar.
7. Use the "Grammar Options" button to turn on features like syllables, parts of speech, and highlighting nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
8. Use the "Translate" button to translate the text to another language.
9. Use the "Picture Dictionary" button to see images that correspond to certain words in the text.
10. To exit Immersive Reader, simply close the tab.

 
 
That's it! Immersive Reader is a powerful tool that can help readers of all ages and abilities to better engage with and comprehend text.

Gimkit has recently released a new game mode called Snowy Survival, which seems to be a mix of Snow Brawl, tag, and Fishtopia in one exciting game. The worldwide Gimkit fanbase is currently  buzzing with excitement as they try to uncover the game's hidden lore. 

Snowy Survival is a perfect addition to Gimkit's suite of educational games. It encourages students to practice their cognitive skills while having fun and learning at the same time. The new game mode requires players to work together to survive in a snowy world filled with obstacles and challenges.

So, stay tuned to my social media accounts because I might host an impromptu Snowy Survival game this weekend. Join me and let's discover the game's secrets, Don't forget to follow me for updates!

To be successful in the Snow Brawl game on the 23rd of February, you'll need to review how to make nouns plural in English and understand how to use 'a', 'an', and 'the' articles in English. In this blog, we'll explain these concepts in an ELI5 (explain like I'm 5) way, so even if you're new to English, you'll understand how to use nouns and articles correctly.

Making Nouns Plural:
To make a noun plural, you usually just add an "s" to the end. For example, one book becomes two books. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If the word ends in "s," "x," "z," "ch," or "sh," you add "es" to make it plural. For example, one box becomes two boxes. Another exception is for words ending in a consonant and then "y." In this case, you drop the "y" and add "ies" to make it plural. For example, one baby becomes two babies. Finally, some words ending in "f" or "fe" change to "ves" to become plural, such as one knife becoming two knives. And some words ending in "o" add "es" to become plural, such as one potato becoming two potatoes.

Using Articles:
In English, we use articles like 'a', 'an', and 'the' to talk about nouns. 'A' and 'an' are indefinite articles, which means they refer to any one thing of a particular type. We use 'a' before words that start with a consonant sound and 'an' before words that start with a vowel sound. For example, 'a cat' and 'an apple.' 'The' is a definite article, which means it refers to a specific thing or things. We use 'the' when we are talking about a specific person, place, or thing. For example, 'the cat in the tree.'

Many Japanese English-learners struggle with the concept of making nouns plural and using the correct articles in English. In Japanese, there is no concept of plurals or articles, so these English language concepts can be particularly challenging to grasp. However, with practice and exposure, learners can gain a solid understanding of these concepts. So... don't miss out on this great opportunity to learn and have fun with our LIVE event on the 23rd of February !

🚀 Exciting news! Blooket just launched a new feature called 'Type'! You can now create questions that require students to answer by typing out a response. This new question type is great for assessing student comprehension and critical thinking skills.
With 'Type', you have the flexibility to configure the question type to accept multiple answers that either exactly match or contain the student's answer. This feature is available in any set of questions, along with the classic multiple-choice question type.

With the addition of the Typing Answer question type, I'm excited to announce that I'll be adding this feature to all of the sets hosted on our website. Typing Answer questions take language learning to the next level by requiring students to produce language instead of just recognizing it. This is a great way for learners to test their understanding of vocabulary, grammar, and more. I hope this new feature will encourage our users to take their language learning to another level and provide a more engaging and interactive experience for everyone.

So ... If you're looking to practice or teach Japanese or English skills, be sure to check out the pre-hosted Blooket sets available on the website ( Peter's game page ) . These sets cover a wide range of topics and offer a fun and interactive way to learn new vocabulary and grammar. So why not give them a try and see how much you can improve your language skills with Blooket's new Typing Answer feature?

Preparing students for language exams can be a challenging task, but with the right strategies and support, students can achieve success. Language exams are designed to test students' proficiency in the target language and assess their abilities in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Here are some pieces of advice for preparing students for language exams:
 
Understand the format of the exam: It is important to understand the format of the exam, such as the types of questions that will be asked, the time limit and the overall structure of the exam. This will help you to create an effective study plan and prepare your students accordingly.
 
Use past papers and practice tests: Use past papers and practice tests to help students become familiar with the types of questions that will be asked and the format of the exam. This will also help them to identify areas where they need to focus their studying.
 
Focus on language skills: Make sure to focus on language skills such as reading, writing, listening and speaking. Encourage students to practice these skills regularly, through a variety of activities such as listening to native speakers, reading authentic materials and writing compositions.
 
Encourage note-taking: Encourage students to take notes of new vocabulary, grammar rules, and idiomatic expressions. This will help them to memorize the new words and phrases, and also make it easier to recall the information during the exam.
 
Use techniques for test-taking: Teach your students techniques for test-taking such as time management, how to approach different types of questions, and how to avoid common mistakes. This will help them to feel more confident and reduce their anxiety during the exam.
 
Be positive and supportive: Be positive and supportive throughout the exam preparation process. Encourage your students, provide them with positive feedback, and acknowledge their efforts. This will help to boost their confidence and motivation.
 
Language exams can be a challenging task, but with the right strategies, and support students can achieve success. Understanding the format of the exam, using past papers and practice tests, focusing on language skills, encouraging note-taking, using techniques for test-taking and being positive and supportive throughout the process will help your students to prepare well for the exams.

Incorporating EdTech into your English language lessons can be a great way to engage students and enhance their learning. EdTech tools can provide students with interactive and creative learning experiences that can help them better understand and master the language. In this blog, we’ll discuss how to incorporate EdTech into your English language lessons.
 
Tip 1: Utilize Online Learning Platforms
Online learning platforms such as language-learning websites and apps can be extremely helpful for students. These platforms provide students with interactive activities and resources that can help them learn the language in a fun and engaging way.
 
Tip 2: Incorporate Language Apps
Language Apps are a great way to help students practice and improve their language skills. Apps such as Duolingo and Lingvist allow students to practice their language skills in an interactive and entertaining way.
 
Tip 3: Utilize Games
Games can be a great way to engage students and help them learn the language. Incorporate normal educational games such as Hangman, Pictionary, Scrabble, Battleships, Guess Who or use specialised apps such as blooket, gimkits, knowt, ahaslides  into your lesson plans to keep students interested and motivated to learn.
 
Tip 4: Incorporate Videos
Using videos in your English language lessons can be a great way to engage students and keep them motivated. Videos can be used to introduce new topics, explain difficult concepts, or even to provide students with entertaining language-learning content. The BBC channel has a mountain of educational videos for all subjects
 
Tip 5: Utilize Technology Outside of the Classroom
Encourage students to use technology outside of the classroom to further their English language learning. Apps, websites, and online resources are all great ways to help students practice and improve their language skills. 

​By incorporating EdTech into your English language lessons, you can ensure that your students stay engaged and motivated to learn. With the help of technology, English language learning can become an enjoyable and rewarding experience for both teachers and students.

 私の家族はスシローの大ファンです。少数の悪いリンゴが、このように愛されているレストランチェーンに影響を与えることを目の当たりにして、私は落胆しています。そこで私は、スシローが立ち直るために行動を起こすことにしました。このゲームは、スシローのメニューの知識を、食欲をそそる画像を見ながら楽しく試すことができるインタラクティブな方法です。

 このゲームを通じて、スシローが再び人気を取り戻し、一部の若者の行動で店全体が決まるわけではないことを世間に示すことができればと願っています。スシローの寿司を英語でどのくらい知っていますか？" をプレイすることで、ファンは英語の勉強にもなるし、スシローで働く人々への感謝の気持ちを表すこともできる。
 
私のようなスシローファンは、ぜひ「スシローの寿司を英語でどのくらい知っていますか？」をプレイして、他の人に広めてください。
​

The video above is a 1 minute highlight of the event. 

The snow brawl event lasted about 30 minutes before my connection dropped, and students were able to answer 1779 questions, with 80% accuracy, covering various adjectives. The fast-paced game kept the students engaged and motivated, and they were able to put their language skills to the test in a fun and dynamic setting.
 
Overall, the Snow Brawl event was a success, with about 26 students leaving with newfound confidence in their language abilities and a greater appreciation for the learning process. This event was a testament to the power of interactive learning and its positive impact on students.
 
We can't wait to host similar events in the future, and we hope to see even more students joining us for these exciting and educational adventures. If you're looking for a fun and effective way to improve your language skills, be sure to stay tuned for our upcoming events!"

Engaging students in English language learning can be a difficult task for teachers. As technology advances, it is becoming increasingly important for educators to find creative ways to incorporate technology into their classrooms. In this blog, we’ll be discussing five tips for engaging students in English language learning.
 
Tip 1: Provide Variety
One way to ensure that students stay engaged in English language learning is by providing a variety of activities. Incorporate activities such as games, songs, videos, and discussions to keep students interested and actively participating.
 
Tip 2: Make it Fun
It’s important to make English language learning fun and enjoyable for students. Incorporate activities and games that are both educational and entertaining. Students will be more likely to stay engaged if they are having fun.
 
Tip 3: Use Technology
Utilizing technology in the classroom is a great way to engage students and help them learn. EdTech tools such as online learning platforms, language apps, and interactive games are a great way to introduce English language learning in a fun and entertaining way.
 
Tip 4: Facilitate Collaboration
Encouraging collaboration between students is a great way to help them learn. Group activities, discussions, and debates are all great ways to get students involved and actively participating in the learning process.
 
Tip 5: Utilize Technology Outside of the Classroom
Encourage students to use technology outside of the classroom to further their English language learning. Apps, websites, and online resources are all great ways to help students practice and improve their language skills.
 
By utilizing these five tips, teachers can ensure that their students stay engaged and motivated to learn English. With the help of technology, English language learning can become an enjoyable and rewarding experience for both teachers and students.

​​Snowbrawlは、幅広い年齢層が遊べる、テンポがよくてエキサイティングな雪合戦ゲームです。冬の間、室内で楽しむには最適な方法です

​SnowbrawlはクラシックなPVPゲームです。スノーブラスターを使って雪玉を発射し、質問に答えることで再装填することができます。コストによって、1問につき何個の雪玉を手に入れることができるかが決まります。他のPVPゲームと同様に、体力とシールド/プロテクションを含むスタッツを持っています。チームまたはフリーフォーオールでプレイすることができます。最後に最も多く退治したプレイヤーまたはチームが勝利します。

​移動はキーボードのW　A　S　Dキーで行います。そうすれば、右手をマウスやトラックパッドに使えるので、狙いを定めて雪玉を投げるのが楽になるかもしれません。

キーボードの「1」「2」で、通常のゲームプレイと雪玉を投げる動作を素早く切り替えられます。