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 the Importance of Lesson Planning Key Components of an Effective Lesson Plan Incorporating Differentiated Instruction Techniques Utilizing Technology in Lesson Planning Reflecting on Lesson Delivery and Student Engagement Gathering and Analyzing Student Feedback Collaborating with Colleagues for Lesson Plan Enhancement Professional Development Opportunities for Lesson Planning Implementing Changes and Assessing Impact Continuous Improvement in Lesson Planning Effective lesson planning is crucial for successful teaching experiences. It helps teachers organize their thoughts, set clear objectives, and create engaging activities for students. ITTT, one of the leading TEFL and TESOL providers worldwide, emphasizes the significance of thorough lesson planning in achieving...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Doing up lesson plans for my up and coming TEFL classes is something that I am quite excited about. I suppose it is because I see an opportunity for creativity and that gets my juices flowing. I love the engage, study and activate model that was taught to us, both in the TEFL course itself as well as in this course on teaching business English lessons to adults. I would like to share some ideas that I have reaped from this course on how I would prepare a lesson plan for the to engage, study and activate methodology. Engagement Giving New Information Applying New Information on Practice Points to Remember Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Bonnie B. Please...  [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]

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, 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]

  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]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas A lesson plan is a series of instructions written by the teacher on how to cover his lessonIt is also a working document to refer to during the lesson ad a record of the class content useful for future lessons or for other teachers. Structure Teaching Materials More Things to Consider Anticipated Problems Interaction Are you ready to take your TEFL course? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: An effective lesson plan should be flexible and open to change. How a lesson plan is written depends upon the teacher. It's complicated because it doesn't exist the perfect way to write a lesson plan. It can be formal following a specific pattern or written in the form of notes but simplicity is essential. This post was written by our TEFL certification...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas A lesson plan is a very important element for teaching. Not only it provides a standard procedure of teaching, but it also helps the teacher keep track of each lesson. Moreover, it is also very helpful in some special cases, such as substitute teachers can use the lesson provided to carry out the lesson more efficiently. Although different teachers may have different teaching styles, a lesson plan should be prepared by all teachers despite the teaching style. A good lesson plan should include the following 5 components; lesson topic, class objectives, procedure, time management, and student practice. Topic and Point of the Lesson Objectives Lesson Sequence Time Management Practice Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles:...  [Read more]

A TEFL lesson plan is a roadmap that outlines the structure and content of your English language teaching session. It helps you organize your ideas, set clear objectives, and ensure a smooth flow of activities during the class. A well-designed lesson plan not only keeps you on track but also enhances the learning experience for your students. Understanding the basic components of a TEFL lesson plan is crucial for creating effective and engaging lessons. Creating a successful TEFL lesson plan involves several key steps. Firstly, you need to identify the learning objectives of the lesson, considering the language skills you want to focus on (listening, speaking, reading, writing) and the language functions or grammar points you want to teach. Next, you should plan engaging activities that...  [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]

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]

Before creating a lesson plan for teaching English as a foreign language, it is crucial to understand the needs of your students. Consider their language proficiency level, learning styles, cultural background, and any specific goals they may have. Conducting a needs analysis can help you tailor your lessons to meet the individual needs of your students. This will ensure that your lesson plan is relevant and effective in helping them achieve their language learning objectives. When developing a lesson plan, it is essential to set clear objectives and outcomes for each lesson. Clearly defined objectives help guide your teaching and give students a sense of direction and purpose. Objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). By clearly outlining...  [Read more]

Creating engaging lesson plans for your TEFL classes starts with understanding the needs and interests of your students. Conduct a needs analysis to identify their language proficiency levels, learning styles, and goals. This information will help you tailor your lessons to meet their specific needs and keep them motivated throughout the course. Additionally, consider incorporating topics and materials that are relevant and interesting to your students to make the lessons more engaging. By catering to their interests and goals, you can create a more meaningful learning experience for your students. To keep your TEFL classes engaging, it's essential to incorporate a variety of activities and resources in your lesson plans. Mix traditional teaching methods with interactive activities such as...  [Read more]

Creating engaging lesson plans for your TEFL students begins with understanding their needs and goals. Take the time to assess their proficiency levels, learning styles, and interests. This will help you tailor your lessons to meet their specific requirements. Consider conducting a needs analysis to identify areas where they need the most support. By understanding what motivates your students and what they hope to achieve, you can design lessons that are relevant and engaging. To keep your TEFL students engaged, incorporate interactive activities and multimedia into your lesson plans. This could include group discussions, role-plays, games, and multimedia resources such as videos and online quizzes. Interactive activities not only make learning more enjoyable but also help reinforce...  [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]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences As an English teacher, we have to learn many ways of teaching. One of the most important skills is to learn how to plan a lesson. For writing a lesson plan, some teachers like to use formal plans, some take down notes while others write details into their notebooks. So, what exactly is a good lesson plan? Four aspects should be taken into consideration. What is a lesson plan? Why make a lesson plan? How to organize your lesson plan? What is a good lesson plan? Are you ready to start teaching English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Mudi S. First and foremost, what is a lesson plan? A lesson plan is a plan that you make for the lesson you want to teach. It is an aid to planning...  [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]

Enhance your ESL teaching experience with a wide range of classroom resources designed to engage and inspire your students. Explore a variety of tools, materials, and activities that will help you create dynamic and effective lessons that cater to the diverse needs of English language learners. From flashcards and worksheets to interactive games and multimedia resources, ITTT (International TEFL and TESOL Training) offers a comprehensive selection of resources to support your teaching journey. 1. Engaging Activities and Games 2. Printable Worksheets and Exercises 3. Interactive Multimedia Resources 4. Customizable Lesson Plans One of the key components of effective ESL teaching is keeping students engaged and motivated. With ITTT's collection of engaging activities and games, you can...  [Read more]

In the field of TEFL, understanding the diverse learning styles of students is crucial for creating effective lesson plans. There are three main types of learners: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Visual learners prefer to see information in order to understand it, auditory learners learn best through listening, and kinesthetic learners learn by doing and experiencing. By recognizing and incorporating these different learning styles into your lesson plans, you can cater to the needs of all your students and enhance their learning experience. For visual learners, incorporating visual aids such as diagrams, charts, videos, and images into your lesson plans is essential. Utilize whiteboards or projectors to display key information, use color coding to organize concepts, and encourage...  [Read more]

Incorporating technology into TEFL lesson plans can have numerous benefits for both teachers and students. Technology can make lessons more engaging and interactive, leading to increased student motivation and participation. It also provides access to a wide range of authentic resources, such as videos, podcasts, and online articles, that can help students improve their language skills. Additionally, technology allows for more personalized learning experiences, as students can work at their own pace and receive instant feedback on their progress. There are several effective strategies for incorporating technology into TEFL lesson plans. One approach is to use interactive whiteboards or projectors to display multimedia content, such as videos or interactive games, that can enhance...  [Read more]

Ramon Perez Teaching Ideas With each passing day, we learn something new. We build upon the previously attained knowledge and expand our understanding of various subjects. As teachers, we have the responsibility of expanding our students' knowledge and abilities. As much as we would like to provide fun and innovative ways to present the information, it can be difficult to keep it fresh on a daily basis. WHAT IS A LESSON PLAN? WHAT WHEN HOW WHERE WHY WHAT DOES A LESSON PLAN CONSIST OF? WARM-UP REVIEW NEW SUBJECT GAME WORKSHEET FINAL TIPS Now you're ready! Remember, be creative and make it your own. Related Articles: There are many factors to take into consideration when teaching a new subject: what, when, how, where, and why. Because we have many factors to consider, it's vital to be as...  [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]