When you start teaching a new group of students English, and they are new to the language, there are things you can do to help them learn and ensure the lessons are fun. Making the classes enjoyable for your students will help them learn more, and it can also help them retain the information you provide them.
Below are some tips to help you do this and ensure you give your students the best chance possible to learn English correctly.
Establish Phrases They Need For The Classroom
One of the first things you will need to teach them is specific phrases they need to use in the classroom. There are various phrases they will need to know, such as:
- Please can you repeat that?
- Please talk slower.
- May I use the bathroom?
- What do we have to do?
- I do not understand.
You can start your lesson by having these phrases in English and then having the native language versions next to them, so they understand what they mean. It will give your students confidence and make them more open to learning.
Give Your Lessons Structure
You will want your lessons to be fun to help your students learn, but you also need a structure for your classes. When you go ahead to get one of those accredited TEFL courses in Thailand to obtain a TEFL certificate, they will also teach you how to plan a lesson to engage your students and make learning fun. When your students are laughing ad having fun, they are often learning without realising it, and the information is more likely to sink in; they will retain the knowledge.
Keep Your Instructions Simple
You will need to ensure that they are clear and precise when giving the class instructions and those should not be too complicated. Use shorter words where possible; there would be a higher chance of your students understanding what you want them to do clearly. However, you will also need to create an environment where when the students do not understand, they can ask your questions and clarify what you want them to do without being chastised.
Teach Them To Listen
A massive part of learning a new language is listening and understanding how to pronounce words and phrases. You will need to teach your students to listen and emphasise different sounds to master speaking English and speaking correctly.
Drill & Repeat
You will also need to do lots of practice with your students, and you need to keep drilling them and repeating the action until they master it. Repetition will help them remember the words and phrases you are teaching them and what they mean. Have a summary before the end of your class where you spend five or ten minutes repeating what they have been taught to allow it to sink in so they will remember it.
Do Not Complicate Things Too Much
When you are starting to teach the basics of English to your students, you will not want to complicate things too much and emphasise grammar, as this can get confusing for them. Until they become more advanced and start learning more complicated grammar, there is no need to teach them things such as irregular verbs, adverbs of frequency, or the various tenses.
Keep the lessons simple to begin, and they will have more fun learning English and pick it up quicker.
