How to Use English ESL Worksheets

Teachers use worksheets in the ESL classroom primarily as a tool for teaching grammar. After you present a new grammatical form to the class, worksheets can directly test students' comprehension of it. Basic comprehension of grammar and being able to use it correctly, at least on paper, is an essential step on the path to using this grammar comfortably in conversation. Additionally, worksheets reinforce the day's lesson; you can assign homework from them. Ideally, students will keep their worksheets well organized to use for test preparation.

Things You'll Need

• Blackboard or dry erase board
• Worksheets

Instructions

1. Present the lesson's grammatical concept to the class. Write it on the board and explain it. Make sure that students are taking notes in their notebooks. Ask if they have any questions.

2. Hand out a worksheet to each student. On the worksheet should be matching, sentence completion, error correction, or some other comparable exercise. Give your students a designated time limit.

3. Go over the worksheet as a class. Call on students one by one, and ideally each student should answer at least one question.

4. Provide explanations for each answer, making it clear why the wrong answers are incorrect.

5. Give each student an additional worksheet to take home and do for homework that tests this same grammatical concept. Remind them to bring in their homework worksheets the following day, as you will check them.

6. Encourage your students to keep their worksheets in a folder or binder. Tell them to use these worksheets as tools to review for tests.

Tips & Warnings

• ESL worksheets are often useful for building vocabulary and slang. You can use them in the exact same manner when teaching these subjects.

References

• "Teaching how to learn: learning strategies in ESL;" Ken Willing; 1989