How to Teach Adults English As a Second Language

Teaching adults English as a second language (ESL) is challenging. However, because the adults already understand concepts, we are teaching them the English terms for things they already know. Most ESL teachers have "Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages" (TESOL) certification. While most professionals who teach Adult ESL have degrees in the subject, it is not always imperative. Many volunteers offer to work with non-native English speakers and meet with their students on a regular basis. Establishing a basic routine, practicing it and then adding something new is one way to handle a tutoring session.

Things You'll Need

• A basic ESL book with pictures and drills
• Children's books
• Paper
• Pencils/pens/crayons/markers/chalk
• Scissors
• Tape

Instructions

1. Begin by introducing yourself: "Hello! My name is Cindy Sandhurst." Repeat this simple sentence several times and have the class repeat after you.

2. Expand on the first sentence: "Hello! My name is Cindy Sandhurst. What's your name?" Have students repeat this several times, then go around the room and say this to each student. Have the student reply with his own name: "Hello! My name is _____."

3. Draw a simple picture of a teacher in front of a classroom. Show the class the picture and say, "Hello! My name is Cindy Sandhurst. I am a teacher."

4. Instruct the students to draw what they do for a living. Giving students the opportunity to take a break and draw relieves some of their nervousness and gives them the opportunity to laugh--an understandable response in any language.

5. Use paper and colored pencils or crayons to prepare pictures to present colors. You might draw a beach ball on several pages and color each one a different primary color. Then you can begin a drill: "This is a red ball. This is a green ball. Which ball is red?"

6. Practice numbers and values of coins and bills during another lesson. You can set up a mock store with price tags. Using either real money, or play money, you can ask one student to be the clerk and another to be the customer. They can discuss items, colors, sizes, or prices, and the clerk will have to make change. You might also use foods to simulate a grocery, and students can practice the names of the foods along with learning the terms for money, numbers and colors.

7. Continue reviewing past materials at each lesson before adding something new, such as the names of animals, furnishings, clothing, and other topics.

Tips & Warnings

• Smiles and words of encouragement go a long way in teaching. Adults learning a new language are going to feel anxious, so keeping the mood in the classroom light and fun will diffuse the anxiety and aid their learning.

• Do not try to introduce students to too much during each lesson. Learning a new language is very draining, so observe your students' body language and facial expressions to see when they need a break.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• TESL/TEFL/TESOL/ESL/EFL/ESOL Links
• Teaching ESL to Adults