This is how Ania Rolinska describes our next MEC online clinic 'Using online resources to teach vocab'.

Ania (pictured above) is a teacher and the E-learning Coordinator for IH Prague. She is extremely enthusiastic about using technology in the classroom and has written us a few blog postings too.

This clinic will take place on the 11th June at 3pm UK time.

If you are interested in attending this event or you require any further information, please let us know by emailing me at s.milligan@macmillan.com.

MEC clinics are short sessions involving groups of no more than 25. They are on a first-come, first-served basis to any teachers who use MEC.

There is no cost involved: we will set up and host the sessions. Those attending simply need a computer with internet access, sound and ideally a microphone. 

Indus artefacts may contain a language

This week's news item, adapted for MEC from a news article originally published in the Guardian Weekly, is about the discovery of artefacts belonging to an ancient civilization, the Indus. The artefacts contain symbols which a group of scientists is claiming form a primitive language.

You'll find this story in the News Items section on your Work Area.

Boost your learners' vocabulary confidence with Simple English WIKIPEDIA.

If you think Simple English WIKIPEDIA can help your learners practise English in context, have a look at the help section to get started. If you get stuck, you can always ask other editors on Wikipedia:Simple talk.

Animal populations under threat in the Masai Mara

This week's news item, adapted for MEC from a news article originally published in the Guardian Weekly, is about a study of the wildlife in the Masai Mara reserve in Kenya. The study suggests that animal populations are declining.

You'll find this story in the News Items section on your Work Area.

MEC Managing Editor, Jeremy Smith, writes:

Challenge yourself

This week's news item is our monthly news item for teens. It focuses on awards young people can win for their achievements.

Go to the News Items section on your Work Area screen to find out more about these awards.

You can also find longer versions of the news item with extension activities by logging in to our teachers' area here.

The onestopenglish team is very excited to announce onestopblogs, the online grapevine for English teachers. Featuring blogs from the best teachers, trainers and linguists on the web, onestopblogs is your portal for news, views, tips and trends in ELT.

The spring can be a testing time for teachers but, fear not, Adrian Tennant is here to take us through the sometimes controversial topic of assessment in English language teaching with our new series, Assessment matters.

And Jonathan Marks, our pronunciation expert and author of a new pronunciation skills lesson, talks about teaching English, writing and telling jokes in this exclusive interview.

MEC Training Coordinator, Sarah Milligan, writes:

Below is the sixth Macmillan Academy lesson idea. This one was written by Steph and uses a MEC Vocabulary and Listening Activity.

 Macmillan Academy Lesson 6 'Work and Phrasals'.pdf (83.14 KB)

Have a look at this great site dedicated to spelling.

The Spelling Blog

The blog author Johanna Stirling writes interesting and useful postings which include spelling tips and links to other websites you might want to use with your learners.

While reading Johanna's blog. I discovered Bembo Zoo, a fun activity to practise spelling animal names. Go ahead and find some ideas on the blog which could stir up your spelling lessons!

Here are some MEC resources which focus on spelling too. Just type in the title in the Word and Phrase Search to find them.

Meet my family - Vocabulary Activity (level 1)

Rhyming words - Pronunciation Activity (level 4/5)

The Flying Policeman - Game (easy)

Same sound different spelling - Pronunciation Activity (multi-level)

Compounds: spelling of nouns - Grammar Reference Unit (multi-level)