Esl Lesson Plan Template

  Hello. This presentation is going to cover this section on lesson planning and what we're going to do is to have a look as to why we go about planning a lesson, what do we actually put in it? We'll create an empty lesson plan pro-forma and then having done that what we'll do is to fill in that lesson plan for a particular teaching point. So, our starting position is going to be: "Why do we plan lessons at all?" There are a number of reasons why we need to plan a lesson. The first and foremost perhaps is that it's going to create a logical sequence for our lessons. If we didn't have a lesson plan, it is quite possible that we could go all over the place and it would become confusing for the students. By having this plan, what we've created is a structure that we can work from. So,...  [Read more]

  Then, we have a set of objectives and aims. Here, the learner objectives relate to what we're hoping the students are going to be able to do by the end of your lesson and quite often, that can be a useful way of writing out what the objectives are. So, we would start the sentence "By the end of the lesson, students should be able to?" and then a list of two, three or four items that we're expecting the students to be able to do by completing this lesson. The learner objectives are different to the teacher aims the teacher aims are what you are expecting from that lesson itself. Now, when you first start teaching, quite a normal aim might be to complete the lesson successfully, to get through the whole thing without having any problems. As time goes on and you become more...  [Read more]

  So, having elicited this particular structure, what I'm now able to do is to move on to the actual study activities. Typically, they will be in the form of worksheets to check that the students actually understand this information. So, I might prepare three activities. They may not do them all but, for example, I could prepare these three study activities. So, the first one is going to be a fairly straightforward matching activity, where perhaps they match the subject to its correct verb "to be" in that part of the sentence. The second one is going to be a gap fill. For example, I might use this verb here and ask them to complete a sentence using that verb, so that I can check that any spelling changes that take place are correct and the final one is going to be an unscramble,...  [Read more]

Planning a TEFL lesson for advanced students requires careful consideration and preparation to ensure that the lesson is engaging, challenging, and meets the needs of the students. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you plan a successful lesson for advanced learners. Before planning your lesson, it is essential to assess the needs of your students. Consider their language proficiency, learning goals, interests, and areas for improvement. This will help you tailor the lesson to their specific needs and ensure that it is relevant and engaging for them. Define clear learning objectives for the lesson. What do you want your students to achieve by the end of the lesson? Make sure that the objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This will help guide...  [Read more]

  Okay, so we're going to use this pro-forma as our lesson plan and we're going to fill one out as though we were planning for an actual lesson. So, we start off with some basic information about the class. So, the name of the teacher, date and time and the class level. In this particular case, our class is going to be an elementary class and the room will be room 3. Having looked through the registers we see that the expected number of students for this particular class is going to be 10. This will help us in creating our worksheet copies. The context of the lesson for this class is going to be present continuous tense and it may well be the first time that this particular level of class has been introduced to this tense. So, our focus is going to be fairly general and it's going...  [Read more]

  So, the document itself needs to contain some general information about the class, for example the name of the teacher, the date and time of the lesson, what level of class is being taught and in what room, how many students are we expecting, this is important, when we've got things like photocopying and materials to do, what is the context of the lesson, in other words, what is the lesson actually about, what vocabulary or grammar point is this lesson covering and sometimes it's also useful to write out what the focus of the lesson is. So, in effect, the context of the lesson is telling us the grammar point, for example, that might be the present continuous tense, whereas the focus is telling us how we're going to go about teaching it. Another example to illustrate this: Let's...  [Read more]

  So, now we're going to fill the actual procedure of the lesson plan out itself. We mentioned at the start, the first thing we do, is to get some general information about the class that we'll be teaching and then, in order for someone to be able to cover our lesson, we need to present enough information in our lesson plan that they can actually carry it out. What I'm going to do is for each stage of the lesson, I'll indicate what I'm going to do in the lesson and then, we'll cut away from that to have a look to see how that will actually be achieved. So, our lesson is going to be based on a 45-minute lesson and the first phase is going to be the engage phase and it's going to be a straight arrow ESA lesson. I'm going to take approximately five minutes on my engage phase and in...  [Read more]

  The first part of my study phase is going to be the board work and I'm going to use the information that I generated in the elicitation part of my engage phase to move on to the actual board work. What I'm going to do is to show the structure of this particular tense. So, the phase study I'm expecting to take about ten minutes on this particular part and, again, the interaction will mainly be the students talking to me. So, how am I going to achieve that with this information? Well, we could ask the students to have a look at the sentences themselves and to tell us what they can see. If we look at each of the first words in here, then at this level, I should hopefully be able to elicit from my students what each of these words have in common and they may well give an answer that...  [Read more]

Creating a TEFL lesson plan for a mixed-ability class can be a challenging but rewarding task. By following some key principles and strategies, you can effectively meet the needs of all your students and create a positive and inclusive learning environment. When planning a lesson for a mixed-ability class, it is essential to first assess the varying levels of proficiency among your students. This can be done through diagnostic tests, informal assessments, or simply by observing their performance in class activities. Once you have a clear understanding of your students' abilities, you can tailor your lesson plan to accommodate their needs. One effective strategy for teaching a mixed-ability class is differentiation. This involves providing different tasks or activities that cater to the...  [Read more]

  Here are helpful tips how to identify the various past tenses in the English language and complete worksheets successfully. The video also helps you to structure an effective lesson around the past tenses in an EFL classroom around the world. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. As a final lesson here in teaching Business English, Unit 6 provides additional information on how to create your own resume/c.v., what should and what shouldn't be...  [Read more]

To prepare effective lesson plans, TEFL teachers need to follow a structured approach that includes several key components. First, it's essential to start by clearly defining the learning objectives of the lesson. These objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). By outlining what students should be able to do by the end of the lesson, teachers can ensure that their planning is focused and aligned with desired outcomes. Next, teachers should consider the students' current level of English proficiency, interests, and learning styles. This information will help them tailor the lesson to meet the needs of their students and ensure that it is engaging and accessible to all learners. Once the objectives and student needs are identified, teachers can...  [Read more]

To prepare for your first TEFL class, there are several key steps you can take to ensure you are ready to deliver a successful lesson. First, familiarize yourself with the lesson plan and materials provided by your TEFL course or employer. Review the objectives of the lesson, the activities, and any worksheets or handouts that you will be using. Make sure you understand the flow of the lesson and how each activity is structured. Next, consider the language level and cultural background of your students. This will help you tailor your lesson to their needs and interests. If possible, try to learn a few key phrases in their native language to establish rapport and show respect for their culture. Prepare any visual aids or props that you will be using during the lesson. This could include...  [Read more]

When creating your TEFL teaching resources, it is important to consider a variety of factors to ensure they are effective and engaging for your students. Here are some key elements to include in your TEFL teaching resources: 1. **Lesson Plans**: Develop detailed lesson plans that outline the objectives, activities, and materials for each class. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you cover all necessary topics. 2. **Visual Aids**: Incorporate visual aids such as flashcards, pictures, and videos to help reinforce language concepts and make the material more engaging for students. 3. **Interactive Activities**: Include a variety of interactive activities such as games, role-plays, and group work to keep students actively engaged in the learning process. 4. **Language...  [Read more]

  For the lesson that even takes place, there are a number of things that you need to have considered. Obviously, you need a very clear idea of what it is you're expecting the students to have to do and they need to know why. It's very important before you ask them to do an activity that they have an understanding of the purpose of that activity. You should, secondly, have had a thought about what they already know. Linked to that is, will it be necessary to do any form of pre-teaching before I can expect them to do this activity and finally, we need to make sure that we have prepared all our materials and our instructions for this particular activity. So, we'll consider a straight arrow ESA lesson, the focus of which is to be speaking skills. So, we'll start with our engage and in...  [Read more]

  "In this video, our OTP trainee Richard checks the understanding of his students by having a classroom discussion with his students using modal verbs. They are used to express ability, possibility, permission or obligation. ITTT's Observed Teaching Practice courses (OTP) are ideal for teachers wanting to improve their teaching skills remotely from anywhere in the world." Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. This unit has given me an overview of...  [Read more]

  What mental picture do you have of an ESL teacher? Someone in formal clothes in a traditional classroom delivering English lessons to rows of uniformed children. Perhaps a ‘T-shirt and jeans backpacker’ at the beach discussing adverbs with a group of adults in a bamboo hut? Both exist, but which is in most demand?  [Read more]

  The usage of the past simple tense as explained in this video is when you talk about completed actions at a definite time in the past. For example: I completed my TEFL course last year. When did you complete your TEFL course? ITTT's online TEFL courses cover tenses such as the past simple discussed in this video as well as other grammar points such as modal verbs, conditionals, reported speech etc. making sure that you as prepared as you can be before stepping into your first classroom. Once you have completed a TEFL course and are considering your options for teaching jobs it is worth considering becoming an online English teacher. As technology becomes increasingly more available around the world the demand for English lessons given solely over the internet is growing and...  [Read more]

  What are ESL games? ESL games are games that can be used in the classroom to practice certain language points and encourage active and creative communication between your students. There are many different games created specifically for use in the English language classroom that can be found online or in any number of resource books. But we are not limited only to those games designed for the class. The majority of games that we played as children or still play as adults can be adapted and used in lessons. Whether games are co-operative or competitive, they provide students with a goal and in the English classroom this goal can only be reached by using the English they have learnt. Common Misconceptions about games in the classroom. "Games are fun but are not suitable for the...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word dross. This word describes something that is seen as junk or rubbish. Some synonyms for dross are trash or garbage. This word comes from the Old English 'dr?s' and is also related to Dutch droesem and German Drusen meaning dregs. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. This unit explains the importance and parts of lesson planning. I appreciate the template for lesson planning however I did not...  [Read more]

  Another way to approach teaching modal auxiliary verbs is in context, for example, "How to give advice". This is especially useful for students of higher levels that have some knowledge of the various modal auxiliary verbs. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. I really liked this unit as well. I liked how the information was clearly and effectively provided on how we can incorporate speaking and writing. These skills are very important and I liked...  [Read more]

  Milica completed her 120-hour TEFL course with ITTT and is now teaching English to students in a summer camp in Italy. In this TEFL review video she gives an insight into the kind of activities her students enjoy while learning English. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. In this unit I gained some good ideas for planning lessons and good ways to get students interested in learning about different aspects of language. It is interesting to note...  [Read more]

When creating a TEFL teaching plan, there are several key components to consider in order to ensure a comprehensive and effective approach to teaching English as a foreign language. First and foremost, it is essential to establish clear learning objectives for each lesson or unit. These objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). By clearly defining what students are expected to learn by the end of each lesson, you can effectively guide your teaching and assessment strategies. Next, consider the overall structure of your teaching plan. This may include identifying the main topics or themes to be covered, sequencing of lessons, and determining the appropriate teaching methodologies and resources to be used. It is important to strike a balance...  [Read more]

  Now an example of a straight arrow ESA lesson for our engage phase. What we're going to do is to show the students a video of animals and they are going to say what they like about those animals and try to create a list of some more. So, remember what we're trying to do here is to get the students talking and thinking in English. We're using a typical engage activity, which is to create a list and we try to make sure that all the students have been involved in some way in creating those lists. Moving on to the study phase, the first part is going to be the board work and the teacher is going to try to elicit from the students what each of those animals can and can't do. Typically, what the students will say is just single words, so "run," "jump," "fly," etc. What we would then...  [Read more]

  Chase from the United States describes his experience with ITTT. Chase completed his training at the Phuket training center. He outlines how he was a little apprehensive about doing the course but how pleased he was with his decision, as the course gave him the training and confidence to begin his teaching career. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. This unit focused on provided a template for lesson planning that was not so rigid that it took...  [Read more]

  Why bother with a lesson plan? IT'S AN AID TO PLANNING: A lesson plan helps you identify a clear destination for your lesson. IT'S A WORKING DOCUMENT: It helps you to mark out the route to that destination. IT'S A RECORD: A lesson plan helps you keep track of what you have covered with your students. It also helps other teachers cover your lesson if you are ill. LESSON PLANNING DO'S AND DON'TS Keep it simple. If you need to refer to it in a lesson, a quick glance should tell you what you need to know. Don't write a script of the lesson. Structure your plan and keep the same structure. Note the expected timing for each activity. Activities should be connected giving the lesson a logical pattern. Variety is needed to keep students engaged. Try to anticipate student...  [Read more]

  Yuliia from Ukraine had been working as a lawyer before deciding to change careers and become an English teacher. In this TEFL review video, Yuliia tells us that she learnt a great deal of new information about English teaching from her course. She plans to use her certificate to teach English as a foreign language abroad. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. In this lesson I learned all about classroom structure. There are many things I will...  [Read more]

  Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. In this unit,I learnt a lot on the importance of lesson planning. The examples given in the unit material is very useful to beginners in teaching. Having a basic understanding on how to plan lessons and information which should be included in the lesson plans is very important to both students and teachers. I now have ideas of making my own lesson plan and will practice on this.In this nineteenth unit, we...  [Read more]

  There is no simple answer to this question as it depends entirely on which type of TEFL course you choose to study. At ITTT we have a range of courses that are designed to suit the various needs of our trainees, each with its own time scale for completion. Please see below for a breakdown of our various course options. Online courses are often the quickest route towards TEFL certification. If you are in a real hurry a course such as our 60-hour introduction to TEFL may be a good choice as you can conceivably complete it in as little as five days. Even those who prefer to study at a slower rate should find they can complete the course within one month. However, it is worth remembering that the majority of employers worldwide insist on job applicants having a TEFL certificate of...  [Read more]

  This video covers the difference between 'in' and 'at' when used to indicate a location. They often cause confusion for English learners as they both refer to a location in a sentence. However, 'in', as a preposition of place, is usually used to talk about the position of someone or something inside large places such as countries, continents, big cities and similar, while 'at' is used to refer the position of someone or something inside small and unimportant places such as villages or small towns. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that...  [Read more]

  This video covers all the tense changes that are required in reported speech. This video is specifically aimed at teaching reported speech in an ESL setting. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. I always wonder how I can make good lesson plans as a teacher. However I keep finding it hard since every class is different. Although, I come up with a generally okay plan which might not apply to all the classes. I need to factor in who I am teaching....  [Read more]