How to Teach a Beginner's ESL Class

This semester I am teaching a beginner's ESL class. I am their first non-bilingual teacher. Naturally, my students are nervous.

This type of class is a challenge. As a teacher, you need to be creative and very understanding. Patience is also a virtue. This article presents some tips I use to adapt and teach at the beginner's level.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Speak slowly. Choose your words carefully. Imagine that you are learning a foreign language. If you were a beginner would you understand what you planned to say?

2. Write on the board. For example, if you tell your students to turn to page 6, write page 6 on the board. Write what the students say on the board. When you answer questions, write the answers on the board.

3. Point and use visual aids. In addition to saying and writing page 6 on the board, hold the book up and point to the correct page.

4. Treat your students with respect. They are not dumb; they just don't know English.

5. Be flexible and patient. For example, some of my students were doctors and lawyers in their countries and some never made it to middle school or high school. When you teach nouns, verbs, etc., they may be learning those concepts for the first time.

6. Use all forms of media - text, audio, graphics, and video.

7. Be structured. Use the same routine for every class. I begin every class by reviewing homework, then we do lessons from the book, have break, do supplemental materials relating to the lesson, and practice speaking English. The only time I vary this schedule is when the class actively talks. Then I stop and let the conversation flow.

8. Be creative and have fun. When everyone has fun, everyone learns.