In this section there are 2,124 articles that cover essential ESL topics such as how to teach grammar, use realia, and teach young learners. There are also a lot of lesson ideas and fun activities included in the articles. This ESL article, for example, is about teaching grammar and describes five great activities. It has been given five stars by other busy teachers so it obviously has useful content. Check it out for yourself or take a look at other articles that relate better to your questions or teaching situation.
There are a lot of dos and don’ts and tips and tricks that many teachers learn through teaching.
Our ESL Essentials section will help you master the basics of teaching English and will help you start teaching like a 'pro'. Every ESL Essentials article provides clear, to-the-point instructions that can be used with the students right away.
At the moment we have 2,124 ESL Essentials.
Sometimes that is the best way to learn but the experiences of others can also help you develop your teaching skills without having to make the same mistakes. If you have a great story or activity, feel free to submit your own article so that you can share your knowledge with others. We would love to hear from you!
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ESL Articles
View our latest knowledgebase articles that will help you become a better English teacher. Learn from
professional teachers and put a bit of your own creativity into it!
Picture books are a useful tool for the ESL teacher, especially when she is teaching younger students.
Picture books can be a great help in reading and writing lessons and can even be the basis o ...
Most international students who travel overseas to study English generally have one of two purposes.
They hope to use English in either their careers or to further their educations. Those who lea ...
Many ESL classes for adults are designated “integrated skills”; that is, students are to work on all four language skills in the class: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
A nu ...
Coming up with lesson plans is an ever present task for most teachers, and ESL teachers are no exception.
We have books, standards, and standardized tests to which we often teach. Sometimes, thou ...
Written communication today is not what is used to be. In the past, letters were the best way to communicate with friends and family, but that is no longer the case. In today’s age of inform ...
The Fourth of July is a perfect excuse to bring in some American history to the classroom.
Students are often curious about how America came to be an independent nation. History doesn’t hav ...
When not in their classrooms, where do ESL teachers go? Often it’s the staff room, that place with the refrigerator, microwave, copy machine, and—oh, yes, other ESL teachers!
Usually, ...
The conditional form in English can be a confusing structure for ESL students. Since it is used to discuss situations that may or may not be true and can be situated in the past, present or future ...
Incorporating the topic of travel into summertime lessons may be just the distraction that students are craving.
It can also be practical as many students may be venturing out on adventures and f ...
My preference is the large class.
Much has been written in recent years about the value of small class for learning, and in general that may be true, that they are better learning environments be ...
“How many students are in your class?” another teacher asked me at a faculty meeting recently.
“Six,” I replied. “Or, no, maybe seven—I’m getting another ...
Not a lot of our language is direct, I realized recently after an exchange at a restaurant.
“So have you had a chance to look over the menu?” the waitress asked at the beginning of th ...
When students used to ask me about how long it would take to learn English, I’d usually mumble something about an appointment and hurry away.
I didn’t want to tell them the cold facts ...
Whether you are teaching adults or youth throughout the summer, it is an important time to try out new things and shake things up.
Teaching through the summer doesn’t have to be an ordeal t ...
Slang in the classroom is not for every ESL teacher. Those whose students’ future language usage will be limited to formal situations in which slang is not used may want to spend precious cl ...
One on one teaching can be a valuable experience to English as a second language students. With individualized attention, they can learn at their own paces, get instruction specific to their areas ...
Most teachers who have been teaching any length of time have experienced it: you look around your class in about the middle part of the semester and realize you have become like a dysfunctional fa ...
“So how are you keeping up on all of the technology in your classroom?” the woman from staff development recently asked me at a meeting. “Would you like to sign up for any traini ...
Many students travel overseas to study English, and though they may be in a scholastic setting their real goal is advancement in the business world.
Many ESL programs offer classes and courses of ...
How can 'ghoti' spell fish? It is a classic phonics example.
Gh as in enough, o as in women, and ti as in nation come together to create the same sound patterns as the letters f-i-s-h! And though ...
Flag Day may be a national holiday in the United States, but it can be a source of inspiration and culture for the ESL teacher.
Because we work with students from all areas of the world, talking ...
If you teach elementary school ESL, you already know that kids love animals, but did you know that you can take advantage of that natural love by celebrating National Zoo and Aquarium month this J ...
The end of the year is a wonderful time to take advantage of the electric energy in the air. Students are in the mood for entertaining and social activities.
Be sure to end your school year with ...
The end of the year is a special time for any class. Students may have a tough time focusing on getting through the final days of school, but there is a lot you can do to keep them engaged.
End y ...
Spring is in the air, and batters are at the plate. When the days get longer, the sun shines brighter and the thermometer starts to rise, many of our thoughts go toward the worldwide sports sensat ...
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