The Craft of Teaching English to Adults
Creative Teaching Techniques for Adult English Learners
Teaching English is a craft shaped by experience, observation, and care for the learning environment.
At Blue Noun, we work closely with adult learners through our English holidays, where conversation, creativity, and atmosphere all play a role in helping people use the language more naturally.
This page shares parts of that craft that can be imported into any language teaching space, to make the learners’ experience richer, deeper, and more sustainable.
We are best known for wandering around the Scottish hillsides talking — but actually there are many techniques at work behind the scenes, and some of them may be useful in your own classroom too.
Creative Teaching Techniques for Adult English Learners
Why (and How to) Use Drawing in an English Classroom
Discover 8 powerful ways sketching can support English learning — from lowering anxiety to activating passive knowledge. If you teach English, this guide shows how creative habits can transform confidence, attention, and real-world speaking.
Why Conversation Cards Work So Well in Adult English Coaching
The Power of Not Explaining
An exploration of why conversation cards are powerful in adult English coaching, with practical insight for ESOL teachers and confidence-led language learning.
→ Why Conversation Cards Work So Well in Adult English Coaching
What Is a Zine? A Creative Way to Practise English
A zine can open space for creativity, conversation, and surprisingly natural English practice.
Here’s our guide to getting started.
What is Holistic Language Learning?
Designing the Language Learning Environment
Can Plants Help You Learn? A Typical Day at our Language School
We are often asked to describe a Typical Day at our Independent Language School. This account shares a small moment in which being with live plants helps an English learner to feel comfortable.
So many language schools put plastic plants into teaching spaces. This blog is about what live plants communicate to students.
→ Can Plants Help You Learn? A Typical Day at our Language School
Recommendations on Essential Oils for Language Learning
They are not the whole story, but if you can add essential oils to a teaching space and improve memory by even 1%, are they worth it?
I reached out to the Oily Witch, Claire Ottewell, to ask her for recommendations on essential oils for language learning.
This blog is her best advice, which I’m passing straight on to you.
Additional Topics: Alternative Medicine, Sensory Learning, Holistic Language Learning, Independent Language School and Alternative Classrooms.
Alternative Assessment for Adult English Learners
An Alternative to Traditional Language Course Goal Setting and Progress Assessment
It’s an unholy hybrid of fishkeeping, Minecraft, visualisation, and ‘can-do’ assessments.
But, it works.
Course-takers self-assess and clearly express what needs to be prioritised in their learning.
This is a practical goal-setting exercise for an English course – if you use it, please do give us credit!
Additional topics: Mindset, Creativity, Non-traditional Language School.
→ An Alternative to Traditional Language Course Goal Setting and Progress Assessment
Supporting Learner Confidence
Confidence & Motivation
Helping adult learners feel comfortable using imperfect English is part of the craft of good teaching.
We have a wealth of resources designed to help learners rethink their relationship with English and build confidence using the language.
Wonky English
A short guide that helps learners understand why their English feels “wonky” — and why that’s normal.
Salmon or Sailboat
A reflective exercise that helps learners think about their relationship with English and their learning journey.
→ More Confidence & Motivation Resources for English Learners
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