Classroom Tips for ESL Teachers
Ideas for ESL teachers who want to help their students achieve valuable learning outcomes.
English as a second language teachers should aim to connect ESL teaching theory and methods with real classroom practice to achieve the best possible learning outcomes.
Even the most experienced ESL teachers encounter difficulty when trying to link basic theoretical and methodological ESL teaching concepts to daily classroom practice and instruction, but for those teachers who want to lead their students toward increasingly valuable learning outcomes, the connections need to be made.
In the articles below, you will discover classroom tips on how to bring about basic ESL learning outcomes, such as asking questions in class or getting involved in the community, with a focus on what you want your students to be able "to do," not just on what you want them to have learned, when a lesson is complete. Imagine a student who knows the words mouse, click, screen, and even surf the internet, but does not know how to use a computer. Good ESL teaching theory would place emphasis not only on the further development of a student's vocabulary related to the computer, but also on his or her practical use of a computer as well.
Learning all there is to know about ESL teaching theory is a daunting task, but it is within the reach of every instructor to help their ESL students apply their growing command of the English language to the real-life experiences in which they will use it.
Beyond some of the basics of ESL theory and practice that the following articles explore, interested teachers might choose to learn more about the theories of ESL writing, ESL reading, or even some important names in ESL field.
And if you have any suggestions for other topics that might be helpful for ESL teachers, please email me your ideas.
Recent articles:
- Finding ways to encourage students to Ask Questions in ESL classes
- Helping ESL students to Ask for Directions in real-life settings
- Discovering Teaching Materials for use in ESL classes
