Teaching English Lesson Plans

  Hello. This presentation is going to cover this section on lesson planning and what we're going to do is to have a look as to why we go about planning a lesson, what do we actually put in it? We'll create an empty lesson plan pro-forma and then having done that what we'll do is to fill in that lesson plan for a particular teaching point. So, our starting position is going to be: "Why do we plan lessons at all?" There are a number of reasons why we need to plan a lesson. The first and foremost perhaps is that it's going to create a logical sequence for our lessons. If we didn't have a lesson plan, it is quite possible that we could go all over the place and it would become confusing for the students. By having this plan, what we've created is a structure that we can work from. So,...  [Read more]

Hoàng Minh Huy TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Due to the pandemic, distance learning has replaced traditional classroom instruction worldwide. Teachers in Hong Kong are attempting to find ways to instruct their students while at home under quarantine. To help you stay inspired when instructing online, I'm going to share some enjoyable games and activities to play with kids using Zoom in this post. If you've never used Zoom, you must give it a try with your students; you'll be pleasantly surprised. Show and tell Draw and guess Board game Conclusion Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! Because students are staying at home in a cozy environment rather than attending actual classes...  [Read more]

  Understanding Proficiency Levels in ESL Teaching Importance of Adapting Lesson Plans Strategies for Adapting Lesson Plans Differentiation Techniques for Varied Proficiency Levels Incorporating Multisensory Activities Utilizing Technology in Lesson Adaptations Providing Support for Lower Proficiency Levels Challenging Higher Proficiency Levels Monitoring and Assessing Progress Professional Development for Effective Adaptations In ESL teaching, proficiency levels refer to students' ability to comprehend and communicate in English. These levels are often categorized as beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Understanding these levels is crucial for effective lesson planning and ensuring students' progress. ITTT (International TEFL and TESOL Training) emphasizes the importance of...  [Read more]

  Okay, so we're going to use this pro-forma as our lesson plan and we're going to fill one out as though we were planning for an actual lesson. So, we start off with some basic information about the class. So, the name of the teacher, date and time and the class level. In this particular case, our class is going to be an elementary class and the room will be room 3. Having looked through the registers we see that the expected number of students for this particular class is going to be 10. This will help us in creating our worksheet copies. The context of the lesson for this class is going to be present continuous tense and it may well be the first time that this particular level of class has been introduced to this tense. So, our focus is going to be fairly general and it's going to...  [Read more]

  So, now we're going to fill the actual procedure of the lesson plan out itself. We mentioned at the start, the first thing we do, is to get some general information about the class that we'll be teaching and then, in order for someone to be able to cover our lesson, we need to present enough information in our lesson plan that they can actually carry it out. What I'm going to do is for each stage of the lesson, I'll indicate what I'm going to do in the lesson and then, we'll cut away from that to have a look to see how that will actually be achieved. So, our lesson is going to be based on a 45-minute lesson and the first phase is going to be the engage phase and it's going to be a straight arrow ESA lesson. I'm going to take approximately five minutes on my engage phase and in the...  [Read more]

For educators in the TEFL field, having a structured lesson plan is a key to successful teaching. While some prefer crafting their own, others benefit from readily available online resources. Leveraging free online resources not only saves time but also offers insights into diverse teaching strategies. If you are looking for free TEFL lesson plans, there are numerous online platforms worth exploring. Here is a curated list of recommended sites where you can access these invaluable resources: Where can I get free TEFL lesson plans? UsingEnglish.com TEFL.NET The British Council Lanternfish ESL ThoughtCo BusyTeacher English Is a Piece of Cake The Internet TESL Journal iSLCollective Online English Expert Off2Class This website offers over 1,000 free lesson plans for English teachers, sortable...  [Read more]

  So, having elicited this particular structure, what I'm now able to do is to move on to the actual study activities. Typically, they will be in the form of worksheets to check that the students actually understand this information. So, I might prepare three activities. They may not do them all but, for example, I could prepare these three study activities. So, the first one is going to be a fairly straightforward matching activity, where perhaps they match the subject to its correct verb "to be" in that part of the sentence. The second one is going to be a gap fill. For example, I might use this verb here and ask them to complete a sentence using that verb, so that I can check that any spelling changes that take place are correct and the final one is going to be an unscramble,...  [Read more]

  The first part of my study phase is going to be the board work and I'm going to use the information that I generated in the elicitation part of my engage phase to move on to the actual board work. What I'm going to do is to show the structure of this particular tense. So, the phase study I'm expecting to take about ten minutes on this particular part and, again, the interaction will mainly be the students talking to me. So, how am I going to achieve that with this information? Well, we could ask the students to have a look at the sentences themselves and to tell us what they can see. If we look at each of the first words in here, then at this level, I should hopefully be able to elicit from my students what each of these words have in common and they may well give an answer that...  [Read more]

  So, the document itself needs to contain some general information about the class, for example the name of the teacher, the date and time of the lesson, what level of class is being taught and in what room, how many students are we expecting, this is important, when we've got things like photocopying and materials to do, what is the context of the lesson, in other words, what is the lesson actually about, what vocabulary or grammar point is this lesson covering and sometimes it's also useful to write out what the focus of the lesson is. So, in effect, the context of the lesson is telling us the grammar point, for example, that might be the present continuous tense, whereas the focus is telling us how we're going to go about teaching it. Another example to illustrate this: Let's...  [Read more]

  Then, we have a set of objectives and aims. Here, the learner objectives relate to what we're hoping the students are going to be able to do by the end of your lesson and quite often, that can be a useful way of writing out what the objectives are. So, we would start the sentence "By the end of the lesson, students should be able to?" and then a list of two, three or four items that we're expecting the students to be able to do by completing this lesson. The learner objectives are different to the teacher aims the teacher aims are what you are expecting from that lesson itself. Now, when you first start teaching, quite a normal aim might be to complete the lesson successfully, to get through the whole thing without having any problems. As time goes on and you become more...  [Read more]

Lesson planning is a crucial aspect of teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL). It involves creating a roadmap for your teaching session, outlining the objectives, activities, materials, and assessments you will use to facilitate learning. Effective lesson planning not only helps teachers stay organized but also ensures that students receive a well-structured and engaging learning experience. 1. Coursebooks and Workbooks: These are commonly used resources that provide a structured curriculum, language exercises, and activities for different proficiency levels. They can serve as a foundation for your lesson plans. 2. Authentic Materials: Using real-life materials such as newspapers, magazines, podcasts, and videos can make your lessons more engaging and relevant to students'...  [Read more]

Creating engaging lesson plans for TEFL students starts with understanding their needs and interests. Before designing your lessons, take the time to get to know your students' backgrounds, language proficiency levels, and learning styles. This will help you tailor your teaching approach to better suit their requirements. Conducting needs assessments and icebreaker activities in the initial classes can provide valuable insights into what motivates your students and what topics they find interesting. By incorporating their preferences into your lesson plans, you can increase their engagement and participation. One of the keys to keeping TEFL students engaged is by incorporating interactive activities and technology into your lesson plans. Interactive activities such as group discussions,...  [Read more]

Federico Riva Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Teaching writing skills to elementary English learners can be an exciting and rewarding experience. With a well-structured lesson plan, you can engage students, introduce key concepts, and provide opportunities for practice. In this blog post, we'll walk you through a sample one-hour straight arrow ESA (Engage-Study-Activate) writing skills lesson plan, tailored for an elementary English class. Engage (10 minutes): Study (25 minutes): Activate (20 minutes): Summary (5 minutes): Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! To kickstart the class, begin with a lively warm-up activity that activates students' prior knowledge and generates interest...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Teaching Ideas For many new and experienced EFL teachers, one of the most challenging aspects of their career is coming up with lesson plans that are both engaging and effective. Even if your employer provides a specific textbook to follow as a curriculum, you will often find that this can be rather dull for the students unless you spice things up by adding in some fun and original ideas from an outside source. By searching online you will find a huge amount of sites offering all manner of resources of varying quality and relevance. To save you the hassle of searching through them all, we have listed our 5 favorite websites that you can use to find quality lesson plans free of charge. Using English TEFL.net ESL Galaxy British Council Bogglesworld/Lanternfish Listen to this...  [Read more]

The rationale behind planning TEFL lessons is a crucial aspect to consider because it shapes the content of our lesson plans. We plan lessons for several reasons such as: i) To provide a structure to our lessons ii) To provide a record of what has been taught iii) To easily cross reference against any syllabus requirements of the course being taught The latter two points aid in ensuring we meet all the course requirements by providing a comprehensive record of lessons conducted. The first point, providing structure, is arguably the most crucial as it maps out the expected course of the lesson. Before delving into an actual plan, we should ponder on the kind of information we need to document in the plan. A lesson plan isn't meant to be a verbatim script but should include information...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Teaching Ideas Of the four language skills taught in an ESL classroom, listening skills are often overlooked as teachers can be unsure how to make these lessons interesting and relevant to their students. However, as listening skills are a fundamental part of the language learning process, it is vital that we give them the classroom time they deserve. The good news is that there are many ways to make listening skills lessons both fun and productive. Here are 6 ideas for livening up your lesson plans. Popular Culture Secret Phrase Celebrity Squares Describe the Picture Listen and Quiz Vowel Cards Listen to this blog post Are you ready to teach listening skills in the classroom? Related Articles: One simple way to engage your students in a listening lesson is to use popular...  [Read more]

Before embarking on your journey to teach English in a non-English speaking country, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the local culture and language. Understanding the cultural norms, values, and traditions of the country will not only help you connect better with your students but also avoid any unintentional misunderstandings. Learning basic phrases in the local language can also show respect for the culture and make your daily interactions smoother. To be a successful English teacher in a non-English speaking country, having the right qualifications and certifications is essential. Most schools and language centers require a minimum of a bachelor's degree and a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification. Additionally, some countries may require specific...  [Read more]

4. Overcoming Challenges and Maximizing Success in Teaching English to Older Adults A TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) certificate can be immensely beneficial when teaching English to older adults. The certificate equips you with essential teaching skills, methodologies, and strategies that are crucial for effectively instructing learners of all ages. Older adult learners may have different needs, learning styles, and challenges compared to younger students, and a TEFL certificate provides you with the expertise to address these differences. Additionally, having a TEFL certificate enhances your credibility as a language instructor, instilling confidence in both your students and potential employers. Teaching English to older adults requires a tailored approach that takes into...  [Read more]

In a TEFL classroom, diversity among learners is the norm rather than the exception. Students come from various linguistic, cultural, and educational backgrounds, which can significantly impact their learning styles and needs. As a teacher, it is essential to recognize and appreciate this diversity to create an inclusive learning environment. Understanding the different learning preferences, abilities, and challenges of your students is the first step towards designing effective lesson plans that cater to their individual needs. To create inclusive lesson plans for diverse learners, it is crucial to consider a variety of factors. First and foremost, assess the language proficiency levels of your students to tailor the content and activities accordingly. Provide multiple means of...  [Read more]

When planning lessons for students with varying levels of English proficiency, it is vital to have a clear understanding of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or a similar proficiency scale. This framework divides language learners into levels ranging from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient). By familiarizing yourself with the characteristics and expectations of each level, you can better tailor your lesson plans to meet the specific needs of your students. To effectively cater to students at different proficiency levels, it is essential to differentiate your lesson plans in terms of language input, activities, and assessment. For beginners (A1-A2), focus on building foundational vocabulary and grammar through interactive and visual activities. Intermediate...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore TEFL Information Having a form of structure has always been a vital element in order to perform any task to my best ability. Therefore, lesson planning was a subject which I knew would be a large factor in order for me to become a successful teacher. Listen to this blog post: 1. A lesson plan keeps a check on time within a class. 2. A lesson plan is a written record. 3. A lesson plan allows the teacher to be prepared. Other things to keep in mind Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jessica M. The two main principles of a successful class are direction and flexibility; flexibility relies strongly on the teacher's experience and...  [Read more]

Creating engaging and effective lesson plans in TEFL starts with understanding the needs and preferences of your students. Before designing a lesson, it's essential to consider factors such as the students' age, language proficiency level, learning styles, cultural background, and interests. By conducting needs analysis assessments, you can tailor your lesson plans to meet the specific requirements of your students. This personalized approach helps in keeping the lessons relevant and engaging, leading to better learning outcomes. To keep students motivated and engaged, TEFL teachers should incorporate a variety of activities and resources in their lesson plans. Mixing different types of activities, such as group work, pair work, role plays, games, and multimedia, caters to different...  [Read more]

Before embarking on teaching English in a rural community, it is crucial to understand the community's culture, values, and needs. Take the time to research their customs, traditions, and educational background. This will help you tailor your teaching approach to resonate with the local community. Engage with community leaders, teachers, and parents to gain insights into the challenges and opportunities within the community. By understanding the context in which you will be teaching, you can better adapt your lessons and teaching methods to suit the needs of your students. When teaching English in a rural community, it is essential to create lesson plans that are engaging, relevant, and culturally sensitive. Consider incorporating local stories, songs, and traditions into your lessons to...  [Read more]

Here at ITTT, we do everything we can to ensure that your overseas teaching experience runs smoothly - from beginning to end. Our TEFL support service will offer you all the advice you need, on everything from applying for TEFL courses to deciding where to teach; and most importantly, this support is available to you throughout your TEFL career. ITTT's support service is your one-stop reference point when it comes to teaching English overseas. ITTT is dedicated to providing you with assistance throughout your overseas teaching career. No matter where you are in the world, our TEFL support service will provide you with valuable advice and tools - such as lesson plans - in order to assist you during your time as an EFL teacher. You can rest assured that even after you finish your TEFL...  [Read more]

  In this Live Session, our TEFL expert Liza will share her experience of online ESL teaching. Do you want to start teaching online, or you need the inspiration to enhance your online classes? This webinar is for you! #TEFL#BestTEFL #TeachEnglishOnline Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Click here and get started today: https://bit.ly/37gs5vO What is TEFL Certification? Where is it valid: https://bit.ly/36ma2Fg Check out our wide range of TEFL Courses: https://bit.ly/3ltqt73 Teach English online from anywhere you want: https://bit.ly/3ltqEPL Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Idioms and expressions are an essential part of the English language as they add depth and color to communication. Teaching ESL students idioms and expressions helps them understand the cultural context in which the language is used. Idioms are often challenging for non-native speakers to grasp because their meanings are not literal. By teaching idioms and expressions, you are helping students become more fluent and natural in their use of the language. It also aids in enhancing listening comprehension skills, as idioms are commonly used in everyday conversations, movies, and literature. Integrating idioms and expressions into lesson plans can be done in various ways. Start by introducing a few idioms or expressions in each lesson, providing explanations and examples of how they are used...  [Read more]

To create engaging and interactive lesson plans for a TEFL classroom, it is essential to understand your students' backgrounds, interests, and learning styles. Conducting a needs analysis at the beginning of the course can help you tailor your lessons to meet the specific needs of your students. Consider factors such as their language proficiency level, age group, cultural background, and reasons for learning English. By understanding your students, you can create lessons that are relevant, meaningful, and engaging for them. In today's digital age, technology and multimedia can be powerful tools to enhance the learning experience in the TEFL classroom. Incorporating interactive whiteboards, educational apps, online resources, and multimedia content such as videos, songs, and podcasts can...  [Read more]

Sarah Jennings Teaching Ideas Learning English as a foreign language is already a challenging task, and British slang words and phrases can make it even trickier. Sarah Jennings Teaching Ideas Embarking on a career in international teaching is an exciting opportunity to expand your horizons, experience new cultures, and enhance your professional skills. Sarah Jennings Teaching Ideas As we approach the end of another academic year, it's an ideal time to celebrate achievements, build connections, and reflect on the shared journey. Estefany Garduño Teaching Ideas Listening is a fundamental skill in mastering any language, and English is no exception.Enhancing your listening skills can significantly improve your overall communication abilities... Sarah Jennings Teaching...  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! This fall worksheet is perfect for your fall lesson plans. Print it out and have your students circle the bigger item.   Go over the vocabulary for the drawing on the sheet with your students. Once they have all understood each word, hand out this work sheet and practice the concept of "big" and "small". You can also introduce the full sentence, e.g. "The pumpkin is big." or "The hedgehog is small".   Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Teaching Ideas Explore key differences in teaching children and adults. Adapt your methods to enhance learning for all age groups. Sara Stojanovic TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Unlock the power of language education! Explore effective techniques for teaching reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Teaching English online requires all the same knowledge and skills required for teaching in a regular face to face classroom and so there is no specific training required for this job. Having said that there are some differences you will need to be aware of, which we discuss here. Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Enhancing...  [Read more]