Esl Classroom Activities

  So speaking activities will come in many different forms but we can generalize them into three basic types. Control activities tend to be used in the study phase and here, the teacher will be helping the students in terms of what they need to say and how they go about saying it. So, there's a high level of structure within a controlled activity. A guided activity has slightly less structure than this and it can be used in either the study or the activate stages themselves. The final type of activity or class of activity is called creative activity and this one would be used in the activation phase. In a creative activity, we're giving a scenario or a very small amount of structure and we're asking the students to actually create their own answers to this particular question....  [Read more]

  Throughout section on the teaching of productive skills and the teaching of receptive skills our activate activities will usually involve some form of game and our final consideration here will be the use of games in the classroom. We can start with a definition of what we actually mean by a game and it basically has three components. A game is an activity that has rules it should have for its purpose in the classroom a teaching point and by nature to the fact that it's a game it should also include an element of fun. So that will be our working definition for a game that we're going to use in the classroom. There are many different types of games and they range between the competitive and those will require cooperation and there are all sorts of games that involve both of these...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas When it comes to teaching a lot of teachers are set in their ways, especially if this has been their career for a while, but over the years we have learned that teachers need to be flexible with their methods because there is a wide range of learning abilities in every classroom. Each child has their own learning styles and the way we approach a lesson should be tailored too, hopefully, to meet the needs of every child in the room. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Alexandra M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Teaching children with varying learning abilities means adapting and providing curriculum and course activities that...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Outdoor games and activities can be motivating and fun for English language learners. According to my research, there are many different activities that teachers can use to practice and develop students’ English language skills. Outdoor learning has many benefits: Students can be highly motivated and energized by being outside. When a class has become boring or the students disinterested, going outside can help students return to the classroom refreshed and more focused than before. Furthermore, being in the new surroundings opens up unique, memorable ways to teach English in the great outdoors. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Krista W. Please note that this blog post might not...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas The simple past is one of the most important tenses in the English language. As it describes past actions, it's quite an easy tense to teach using a variety of fun and interactive activities. Here are 7 activities for teaching the simple past for the ESL classroom. For more activities check out: 10 Exciting Activities for the Past Simple For this activity, the students think of significant accomplishments in their lives. After sharing with the class what they have accomplished, the students should describe what they did in order to achieve this goal, for example they graduated college, studied English, took classes, etc. It’s important that the students use the simple past to talk about these actions. Also read: 7...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Teaching Ideas Image by Alice Bolden via Writix Of all the language skills that are taught in the ESL classroom, teaching writing skills is often seen as one of the least popular. Some teachers consider these lessons to be a bit boring, hard to evaluate and somewhat limited in what you can incorporate into them. However, this doesn’t have to be the case as teaching writing skills to your ESL students can actually be interesting, fun and productive. Take a look at these ideas for spicing up your English writing skills lessons. One of the most common reasons why writing lessons are sometimes seen as boring is that many teachers stick to a traditional approach that rigidly focuses on structure, grammar, and punctuation. While these...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas The present progressive is one of the most important tenses in the English language. As it describes actions currently happening, it's quite an easy tense to teach using a variety of fun and interactive activities. Here are 7 activities for teaching the present progressive for the ESL classroom. Have your class make observations about what’s happening all around in the classroom and outside the windows. Make sure they students use the present progressive when describing what they see. Ask your students to write a letter to a parent, relative or friend describing their life as an ESL student. What are they doing to improve their English? What are they doing right now in class? Also read: 7 Activities for Teaching...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas One of the key elements to being an effective teacher is variety. One cannot teach by using the same lesson structure, the same activities, the same worksheets, the same plan every single time. No matter how effective it may be, students will still tire from the repetition, and their engagement will wane. And that is exactly why teachers have a toolbox from which to draw a wide variety of skills, activities, plans, and ideas to keep the classroom fresh and engaging. Changing scenery, environments, and going outside is all part of this toolbox, and can be used to an effective extent to keep lessons feeling stimulating and varied. And by doing so, the teacher is opening up lessons to a fun and exciting range of...  [Read more]

1. Introduction 2. Benefits of ESL Summer Programs in Hong Kong 3. Why Choose ITTT for ESL Summer Programs in Hong Kong 4. Program Details and Curriculum Are you looking for an exciting and immersive English learning experience this summer? Consider enrolling in an ESL summer program in Hong Kong! These programs offer a unique opportunity to improve your English language skills while exploring a vibrant city known for its rich culture and history. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of ESL summer programs in Hong Kong, why you should choose ITTT for your language learning journey, program details, and curriculum. There are numerous benefits to participating in an ESL summer program in Hong Kong. Firstly, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in an English-speaking...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Every English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher desires to successfully teach their students how to proficiently speak, understand, and use the English language. English is a very complex language, and teaching it presents many challenges. Because of this, an ESL teacher must be willing and able to take on various roles throughout the teaching of a lesson. During a typical ESL lesson, a teacher will have some, or all, of the following roles: a manager or controller, an organizer, an observer, an assessor, a prompter, a participant, and a resource or facilitator. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jennifer N. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In this blog post, our recent TEFL graduate shares their thoughts on why teaching English to kindergarten students can be complicated. Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In this article, our recent TEFL graduate provides us with several strategies to organize an ESL classroom for effective work. Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In this blog post, our recent TEFL graduate shares their thoughts on games and their applicability in an ESL classroom. Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In this blog post, our recent TEFL graduate shares their strategies...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas Use these 7 activities for the ESL classroom to teach the simple present to your students and help them understand the correct structure and usage of the tense both quickly and easily. Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas Setting up your EFL classroom is a very important task for any teacher of English abroad. Here are the best tips on how to set up your EFL classroom the right way to maximize efficiency and fun with your students. Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas Use these 7 activities for teaching the past progressive for the ESL classroom to teach the present perfect tense to your students and help them...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas When a student describes a class that they’ve enjoyed, they often attribute their positive experience to the interesting content of the class, friendly classmates, or an inspiring teacher. A well-organized class can contribute to building these healthy student-student and student-teacher relationships, as well as create an environment in which a student can comfortably listen and learn the content given. From this course, I’ve learned how an effectively managed classroom can have a significant impact on the student’s experience, and furthermore can help a student succeed in an EFL classroom. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Gabriella P. Classroom...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas ESL students face the rules for the degrees of comparison early on in their English learning path. However, this topic may become daunting and lead to constant mistakes later on due to problems like confusing different degrees, doubling up, formulating unbalanced comparisons, etc. In this blog post, you will learn five easy steps you should take to teach this grammar point in your ESL classroom. Before you start digging deep, elicit some ideas of what adjectives are from your students. When you see they understand what adjectives are and don't confuse adjectives with other parts of speech, you can continue further. You need your ESL classroom to know two main functions of...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Our TEFL graduate considers the most important teaching responsibilities. Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Students need parental help but how should it be organized to achieve better results in education? Find out in this blog post. Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas February is a great time to introduce Black History into your EFL classroom! Here are 5 Great Activities For Black History Month in the EFL Classroom. Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas This blog post is devoted to the problem of classroom management skills. Elizaveta Pachina ...  [Read more]

Ahmed Taha Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas This blog post explores what criteria should be used to evaluate activities in an ESL classroom. Federico Riva TEFL Information Teaching Ideas One of the most important concepts to cover in the use of the board is that of “dead time”. This is the time we are writing on the board and nothing is being said. Here we look at 7 top tips to reduce the dead time to a minimum. Federico Riva TEFL Information Teaching Ideas In any lesson the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking are important. When we focus our...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences From 2018 to 2019, I taught two eighth grade English classes in the rural Thies area, experiencing some of the challenges and advantages to teaching students who were just embarking on their language study. I was paired with a long-term Senegalese teacher who walked me through the basics of teaching a foreign language: engaging the class, developing study materials, and creating activities. What stood out to me was his emphasis on showing up as a role model for the students, as well as integrating other modes of learning into the classroom, such as art, singing, and dance activities. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Elise L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily...  [Read more]

Ahmed Taha Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas This blog post explores what criteria should be used to evaluate activities in an ESL classroom. Federico Riva TEFL Information Teaching Ideas One of the most important concepts to cover in the use of the board is that of “dead time”. This is the time we are writing on the board and nothing is being said. Here we look at 7 top tips to reduce the dead time to a minimum. Federico Riva TEFL Information Teaching Ideas In any lesson the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking are important. When we focus our...  [Read more]

Anna Domiczek Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Puppets can serve as a wonderful pedagogical tool in the ESL classroom. Young children are very familiar with them since puppets play a large role in the world of children’s imaginative play, and they have become widely accepted as a pedagogical tool because they are valuable in serving as an anchor in overcoming the language barrier. Their potential in ESL teaching could be used to enhance instruction and provide many useful benefits. Research clearly shows the benefits of using puppetry in English language teaching, and the use of puppets is an effective approach in teaching English to young learners. From the perspective of a preschool teacher, research results are very...  [Read more]

1. Introduction 2. Benefits of ESL Activities 3. Types of ESL Activities 4. How ITTT Can Help Engaging ESL activities are an essential component of any successful English as a Second Language (ESL) program. These activities not only make learning fun and interactive but also help students improve their language skills in a practical and meaningful way. At ITTT (International TEFL and TESOL Training), we offer a wide range of resources and support to help ESL teachers create dynamic and engaging activities for their students. There are numerous benefits to incorporating engaging ESL activities into your lesson plans. First and foremost, these activities help to keep students motivated and interested in learning English. By making lessons interactive and fun, students are more likely to stay...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas Schools are starting again and students and teachers flock back to the classroom. Check out these simple and powerful back-to-school ideas and your students will surely remember this first lesson of yours for a long time! Have your students write a short report (or let them do it verbally) about something newsworthy that happened in their neighborhood or town during the school break. Introduce a weekly journal to your students. The focus of this should be on fluency practice and less on correctness. Have your students write in the journal every day based on a topic that came up in class. Divide your class into groups and hand out one paragraph of a reading topic to every group. Then, have them share the information...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Does a teacher have any influence on students? What plays greater role: skills or personal traits? Read in this blog post. Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In this article, our TEFL graduate shares their strategies on how to organize activities for students with lower attention span. Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In this blog post, our TEFL graduate explains how cultural awareness influences the overall classroom experience. Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In this article, our TEFL graduate shares their experience of teaching...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Learning a new language is an inherently challenging task. One important way for ESL teachers to help beginner students learn English is to focus not only on teaching language concepts but on building their confidence to experiment with the language and persist with their learning. This essay will firstly examine why building confidence is important in ESL teaching, and different strategies teachers can employ to do this, including how they interact with students and the content they choose for classes. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Emily U. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Different groups of beginner learners might be...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Teaching skills in the classroom can be a very challenging experience, but it is essential (at least for any English teacher) to learn how to do it properly and effectively. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Lucas B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. As it was shown in the Units 7 and 8 of this ‘60-hour’ ITTT course, there are 4 (four) basic skills in the English language (and in any other language as well), and these skills are divided into two groups: Receptive skills, which include reading and listening. And productive skills, which include speaking and writing. Both groups (and all of the skills) are very important and...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas It is your choice whether to get certified or not. In this blog post, our TEFL graduate shares their reasons to take a course. Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Speakers of different languages usually have problems learning a second language. In this blog post, our TEFL graduate shares their thoughts on the challenges of Japanese learners in English. Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Students' motivation depends on the environment greatly. Our TEFL graduate shares their thoughts and ideas on how to motivate students in different settings. Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas ...  [Read more]

1. Introduction 2. The Importance of Engaging ESL Lessons 3. Strategies for Creating Engaging ESL Lessons 4. Benefits of Engaging ESL Lessons Welcome to ITTT, the leading provider of TEFL and TESOL training. Our mission is to equip teachers with the skills and knowledge needed to create dynamic and effective ESL lessons. In this guide, we will explore the importance of engaging ESL lessons, strategies for creating them, and the benefits they bring to both teachers and students. Engaging ESL lessons are crucial for student learning and retention. When students are actively involved in the lesson, they are more likely to stay focused, participate, and absorb the material being taught. By incorporating interactive activities, games, and real-world examples, teachers can create a stimulating...  [Read more]

Federico Riva Teaching Ideas Post-it notes are a great tool to incorporate into your English lessons and make them more fun for your students. Here are 7 simple but effective EFL activities with post-it notes your students will love! Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas In this blog post, we will share 5 fun activities that can help you to engage your students into an active conversation. All of the activities can be used as in-class as online. Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas This article contains information on the importance of phonetics and phonology for better language learning abilities'...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas I have been teaching ESL classes professionally for two years. In addition to this experience, I have several years of experience as a volunteer teacher/mentor with ESL students. Through my experiences, I have learned that importance of establishing immediate rapport in the classroom. In this short article, I will talk about why it is vital to establish rapport from the very first day between the students and teacher as well as among the students. I will offer advice from my own experience of teaching both young learners and adults. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Michael S. Establishing rapport between the teacher and student is something that begins on the first day of class and it...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas This blog post is devoted to the common responsibilities of a good ESL teacher in the classroom. Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In this blog post, our TEFL alumna shares their opinion on the importance of parents participation in the educational path of their children. Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How to settle the most perfect classroom management? Our TEFL graduate shares their thoughts. Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Why rapport is important for an ESL classroom? Read in this blog post. Elizaveta Pachina ...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas Check out this post written by an ITTT alumni on the benefits of having good rapport with students. Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas The ESA methodology of teaching is one of the most used modern teaching methodologies today. When taking a TEFL course, you will encounter this method and learn how to incorporate it into your lesson planning. Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas Use these 7 activities for teaching the passive voice in the ESL classroom to help your students navigate through this difficult part of English grammar. Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas ...  [Read more]