How do I teach ESL? A Teacher’s Checklist

As an ESL teacher, he has a strong interest in helping his students improve their English language skills. He already has his training, talent, and experience, and now he’s looking for some helpful tips and resources he can turn to to get the most out of his ESL training programs. Here is a list of helpful tips on how to be successful as an ESL teacher. Give yourself a check mark for each of the following things that you are already doing.

1. Smile

It sounds like nonsense to write about here, but in fact, it’s not. Many teachers (and I’m sure you remember a few) forget how important ‘positive energy’ can be. Good vibes lead to good feelings, which in turn lead to a positive attitude towards you as a teacher and the material learned in your classes.

2. Use good learning materials

ESL learning materials should be five things: useful, intellectually challenging, accurate, interesting, and relevant.

You yourself know that there is nothing worse than trying to work with learning materials that are out of touch with the needs of the students and the world itself. If you think a book lacks substance, is boring, or out of date, get rid of it. Through the years, you’ll get to know the books that are on your ‘no go’ list and faithfully use your handful of tried-and-true favorite materials. In the meantime, do your research. Ask friends, co-workers, and check internet blogs and websites for recommended learning materials.

3. Supplement textbooks with fun materials

There are many ways to liven up an ESL course. Supplement your trusted textbooks with newspaper and magazine articles on discussion-worthy topics. Work through the articles ahead of time, and then allow students to take turns reading them aloud. Then, discuss the contents together. Interactive computer programs, online English courses, and Internet websites such as ESL blogs can also enliven an ESL class. You can discuss the content of a blog, for example, at the beginning of each class and use it as a basis for discussion. Good ESL games can make language learning fun for ESL learners of all ages. Also, they turn passive learners into active learners, which really boosts the learning process. And what about the movies? Movies have always been considered a special gift for students. They can be short, for example YouTube clips, or longer. A class can view, analyze and discuss them. All of these supplemental activities can bring an ESL class to life and allow you to do the next things on this list.

4. Open the Lines of Communication

Avoid lecture-style lessons and provide plenty of opportunities for discussion. Discussion not only facilitates practice; it also allows you to get to know your students better, making it easier for you to tailor the course to their needs. Allow time for this in each class.

5. Accept that you don’t know everything

You can’t know everything. Give yourself permission not to be perfect. If a student asks you a question that you can’t answer, compliment them on the excellent question. After all, if it’s good enough to wow you, it must be something worth checking out. Go home, research the question, and come back the next day ready to discuss it.

6. Invest in yourself

Stay current in terms of your own skills. Not only should you take advantage of every opportunity to improve your own educational skills, but you should also ensure that you stay up to date on current issues and trends. Read when you can. Talk to others when you can. If you know what is happening in the world, particularly in the world of your students, you can relate much better with them and facilitate a better learning environment.

Could you put six check marks on yourself? I hope so; but, if not, you know the areas in which you can improve.