Effective teachers use literacy strategies to make the best of their English as a Second Language (ESL) lesson plans to ensure students are getting the very best in ESL learning.
Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) can be such an arduous task both for the teacher and the students. Learning ESL is becoming more important in this globalized world as it opens up more opportunities for the graduates.
Trying to master the art of English in the classroom or online requires some special sets of skills that the teacher and the student must possess. Without a proper framework to guide both parties’ efforts to learn ESL, the whole process might turn out futile.
ESL Teaching Tips to Get You Started
Keep the ESL Lesson Fun and Interesting
The ability to catch and engage the attention of ESL students is very crucial to both parties. The English teacher must try to open a fluid conversation channel and make the class interactive.
Use Common Phrases and Short Sentences
To help the students grasp the importance of what you are saying, it is necessary to avoid long and complex sentences. Simple everyday phrases that they can appreciate and replicate at their leisure are the perfect way to go.
Use Visual Aids to Help ESL Students to Understand the Material
Pictures speak more to students learning a new language than anything else. It’s important to make learning fun for students to optimize learning. The pronunciation of the object may differ in both languages, but the meanings are the same by and large. Use more PowerPoint presentations, drawings, and flashcards to illustrate your points.
Get ESL Students to Enjoy Writing
Apart from visual aids, allow them to write as much as possible. Simple short paragraphs of recent events or general knowledge tests are ideal. At the end of such a task, ask the students to talk about the things they have written to one another. Doing this will help them enhance their writing skills as well as their comprehension skills.
Introduce Games and Activities
Practice, they say, makes perfect. Don’t dwell too much on lecturing. Use games and other such activities to get students engaged. Divide the class into groups and let them compete in different indoor vocabulary games and outdoor sports, all the time, interacting expressly in English.
Use Teams and Groups
Split the class into small groups, making sure there is an active student in every team. Cooperative learning should encourage healthy involvement among classmates and help them grow faster.
Use Worksheets and a Verbal Quiz
To determine students’ progress, always set simple quizzes at the end of each class or activity and record your findings in worksheets. This way, you can keep track of how well they are doing and adjust your instruction accordingly.
Give Homework and Assignments Consistently
It is beneficial for the student to go home and put into practice what they have learned and will be more than willing to share new findings and progress with the class the next time.
