Using Photos to Get Students of All Ages Talking

Webinar date: July 2024
Presenter: Ross Thorburn

This session looked at using images in EFL lessons to encourage genuine and meaningful communication between students. We discussed five information gap tasks using photos which work with learners of different levels and age groups. As well as encouraging speaking and listening, we looked at how activities using images work with mixed ability groups and can encourage creativity and critical thinking. During the webinar we also explored how to select photos for different age groups and tasks as well as how to generate images using AI.

This webinar covered:

• Using images in class
• Mixed ability teaching
• Task based learning and task design
• Genuine and meaningful communication

About the presenter

Ross Thorburn is a teacher trainer, materials writer, and consultant. Ross started his career in language teaching in 2006. He holds a Trinity DipTESOL, a Trinity FTCL TESOL, an IDLTM and a master’s degree in Language Education. Ross is a keen researcher and has published research articles on teacher training, teacher motivation, task-based learning, and young learners. In 2020, Ross published his first book, Inside Online Language Teaching. His second book, Unlocking Success on the Duolingo English Test was published in 2023. He is the host of the TEFL Training Institute podcast. In his spare time he likes taking photos.