Phil Ball

Putting CLIL into Practice offers a new methodological framework for the CLIL classroom, focusing on how to guide input and support output. Full of real-life examples and practical guidelines, the book provides support to both novice and experienced CLIL teachers.

A new young children's book, 'Fly Guys: Monday Madness' tells the fun story of two unlikely best friends, a fly called Fuzz and 5-year-old Alice. Their mop-based adventure to the moon is brought crashing back to earth when Alice's dad attempts to swat Fuzz. When Fuzz asks Alice why her dad hates flies, the story takes a thoughtful turn and raises questions about difference, diversity and friendship. Mandip Sahota, Private Secretary to Minister of State at Foreign & Commonwealth Office, UK Government - "I loved this book. At a time when we hear reports of prejudice on the increase, the challenge is how to promote equality. Fly Guys is a fun story with a reassuring reminder - children are not born with prejudice. Bobby Thandi has definitely achieved something special here - a series that will help us all tackle prejudice one day at a time. Fuzz and Alice should be on every child's bookshelf " Bill Schultz, CEO Home Plate Entertainment, four-time Emmy-award winning animation producer and Studio Executive with more than 25 years of experience, producing such hit shows as "The Simpsons", "King of the Hill", "Garfield", "Clifford the Big Red Dog", "He Man and the Masters of the Universe" and "Hero:108". - "This book shows the sensitivity and creativity of an experienced creator. Fly Guys is a fun read and the art style is light and very appealing. The heavy and important subject is easily conveyed through the author's careful use of color and action. Fly Guys is a must read for any parent of a child living in a diverse world. Meaning - Planet Earth. Bravo Bobby " Pamela Duncan Edwards, New York Times Best Selling Author - "This little gem is a sweet, sensitive story that will help teach children the importance of friendship and loyalty. The illustrations made me laugh out loud. It will certainly make me look at my next encounter with a buzzy-bug-flapping fly with different eyes." Stephanie Gauld, Children's Digital Media Consultant, and former Head of Disney's Club Penguin and Digital Publisher at Egmont - "Fly Guys' creator, Bobby Thandi, has an excellent understanding of this target reader-base and knows just how important building friendships and fitting in is to young children, in the process of forming their identities. This is a charming tale of diversity and acceptance... with fantastic illustrations to boot " Shahneila Saeed, Director of the Digital Schoolhouse (funded by The Mayor of London) - "With a layout and style that highly appeals to the younger audience, the book provides a strong message to promote diversity and the importance of friendship in a subtle but very effective way. Highly recommended." Maria O'Loughlin, Children's TV Scriptwriter (CBBC, Discovery Channel, Disney Junior) - "I found 'Fly Guys' utterly charming It strikes just the right balance between action, comedy and warmth to deliver a very important message about tolerance - something we need a lot more of in today's world I can't wait to see what Bobby Thandi does with the rest of the series " Thaddaeus Varey, Research Manager, BBC - "Fantastic book Can't wait to see what is in store for Fuzz on Tuesday. I love the theme of a father learning to see things from a different perspective. And of course it is fun to rhyme out loud on any day of the week."

The author arrived at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego ill-prepared for the training and abuse that awaited him in boot camp. At the time, he would have done anything to escape; only upon reflection years later did he realize that the self-confidence instilled in him by his drill instructors had probably saved his life in Vietnam. A few months after boot camp, Private Ball was shipped out to Vietnam, joining F Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, near Khe Sanh. As a grunt, in the vernacular of the Corps, Ball, like the other youths of F Company, did a difficult and deadly job in such places as the A Shau Valley, Leatherneck Square, the DMZ and other obscure but critical I Corps locales. His--their--fear of death mingled with homesickness. Little did they realize that the horrors of the Vietnam War--horrors that while in-country they often claimed did not even exist--would haunt them for the rest of their lives.

When Phil Ball left university with a workmanlike English degree to his name and no discernible ambitions, he wasn't entirely sure what to do next. So like many before him he thought he'd giving teaching a go. Why not? This is the comic story of one man's painfully slow metamorphosis into a teacher at an everyday comprehensive and his encounters with other remarkable teachers and pupils along the way. The good, the bad, the violent, the victimised and the clinically insane: from his first teaching practice nemesis, Alan Plant, who knows his dark secret, to the pupil who believes he is a reincarnation of the poet Andrew Marvell. It is a tale of the highs and lows of attempting to teach: from the joy of really making a difference to young minds to being physically set upon by a teenage horde. And that's just what happens in the classroom. Beyond it is the real world of teachers behind staff-room doors: desperate lives, unseemly professional competition, a diet of cigarettes, alcohol and cold coffee, casual sex and general social dysfunction. Not a great example, but the truth...