David Robinson (Author of the lessons)

British, TEFL/TESL, writer/author lives in Bratislava, Slovakia. Hobbies include writing books / movie scripts, renovating flats, travelling, stocks and shares, current affairs and supporting Leeds United. Robinson is currently working on a several books on Bratislava, is a freelance teacher in Bratislava and a News Flash English materials writer.     

What made you decide to write lesson plans?

Having been teaching for 18 months in Slovakia I decided it would be a good idea to get a teaching qualification. In August 2006 I did a TEFL/TESL Course in Prague, which I passed! On it one of my tutors suggested a website called www.breakingnewsenglish.com.

I said, “What a bloody good idea! An instant lesson plan for teachers!”

Later, I not only started using the lessons on it, I contributed my own lessons. I am extremely grateful to Sean Banville who runs it for all his assistance. Now I have set up www.newsflashenglish.com to concentrate on mainly Central European stories.    

I find many of my students prefer topical English lessons rather than using books. Whilst these serve a function they can also be a rather boring. A bit of variation helps.

There are few English lesson plans using news stories on Slovakia or the Central Europe region. I hope this website will deliver some current affairs stories that you may find useful that I teach my students.

I discovered dictation is useful. Many students beg for more. It really tests them on their vocabulary. The gap fill listening exercises read by the teacher prove just how much the students really do understand. The homework page generates much higher results than I got before. To learn about a typical lesson click here >>

Help me

• I welcome ideas, changes and suggestions for themes…
• I also welcome your lesson contributions – maybe an article or two
• Send me an e-mail with your feedback
• Link me to your website
• Recommend me to other websites