The Mindful English Teacher: A Toolkit for Learning & Well-Being - Paperback

by Francis Gilbert (Author)

WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE MINDFUL ENGLISH TEACHER"I found the book really helpful, as a person who has struggled with anxious thoughts in the past, I've found it has helped me process those in a mindful way that has left me with more confidence. I like how the book is very accepting of different teaching styles and differentiates between by using different teaching voices in the book. I found the book accessible and the writing was easy to read. It was an engaging read as well as an educational one." An English teacher. "This book is basically a 'go to' book for student teachers. It is easy to read and detailed, which alongside Francis Gilbert's study guides really sets student teachers on the road to success. Thanks Francis " Chloe Charles, PGCE English teacher."I think mindfulness, planning, reciprocal reading, all discussed at length in the book, have been effective tools in developing my pedagogy and are methods I will definitely use in my teaching. I think the book is an excellent introduction to teaching English and makes the theory and learning easy and accessible." An English teacher. "A useful guide for both new and experienced teachers who want to excel." An English teacher."A great read with so many useful tips and tasks. It made me step back and reflect easily on my practice." An English teacher. "This book looks at English teaching in a refreshing and non-intimidating manner. It is inclusive for all training and qualified teachers with a clear structure that encourages passionate and creative teaching in modern schools." Sarah Stevens, PGCE English teacher.In need of some inspiration? Are you feeling you're losing your mojo? This is the ultimate guide for English teachers in the 21st century because it not only offers advice about the content, skills and strategies necessary to become an effective English teacher but also provides invaluable help in dealing with the stresses and strains of the job. The well-being of students and teachers are seen as integral to outstanding teaching and learning. The Mindful English Teacher is jam-packed with creative ways to be happy and productive on the job: it is full of useful meditations, creative visualisations and activities which not only make being an English teacher fun but also with its moments of relaxation. It is undergirded with a firm grounding in theory and evidence-based practice, which is explored in the form of lively scripts, real-life conundrums & audits. The scripts can be read by groups of teachers, making the book ideal to use for school-based CPD or Initial Teacher Education. This unique guide aims to inject a genuine sense of joy into one of the most challenging jobs in teaching, using techniques that have been proven to work in a wide range of educational settings.

Author Biography

Francis Gilbert is a Lecturer in Education at Goldsmiths, University of London, teaching on the PGCE Secondary English programme and the MA in Children's Literature with Professor Michael Rosen. Previously, he worked for a quarter of a century in various English state schools teaching English and Media Studies to 11-18-year olds. He has also moonlighted as a journalist, novelist and social commentator both in the UK and international media. He is the author of Teacher on the Run, Yob Nation, Parent Power, Working The System -- How To Get The Very Best State Education for Your Child, and a novel about school, The Last Day Of Term. His first book, I'm A Teacher, Get Me Out Of Here was a big hit, becoming a bestseller and being serialised on Radio 4. In his role as an English teacher, he has taught many classic texts over the years and has developed a great many resources to assist readers with understanding, appreciating and responding to them both analytically and creatively. This led him to set up his own small publishing company FGI Publishing (fgipublishing.com) which has published his study guides as well as a number of books by other authors, including Roger Titcombe's Learning Matters and Tim Cadman's The Changes. He has appeared numerous times on radio and TV, including Newsnight, the Today Programme, Woman's Hour and the Russell Brand Show. In June 2015, he was awarded a PhD in Creative Writing and Education by the University of London. He has practised mindfulness for some time now and has found this has helped him in his personal life and with his work.