Let’s assume that the children have had time to settle into the classroom environment and that you are ready for them to begin the first lesson. This is their best learning time. They have focused in on an English environment and have had a short time to adapt to the change from their last situation. This first lesson will include the most difficult material to be taught. It will likely include listening, and because listening and understanding are the most difficult, this is the best time to give your oral explanation. This articles provides suggestions for getting the children excited about your lesson. (more…)

Spend Less Money and Increase Your Advantage!
Online interactive programs that teach English are expensive for many students. They need to have a computer that can access the content within a reasonable period of time. They must also buy the program to be downloaded onto their computer. The expense for all of this can be reduced if the students plan to work with a friend. This article discusses the advantages plus some things to be considered before buying a program. (more…)

Let’s assume you’re teaching rhyming words to your ESL class. Some of the children are interested in your rhyming words lesson but others aren’t participating. Perhaps they are shy, frightened or unfamiliar with some of the sounds. It’s important to understand why many English Second Language children feel frightened and insecure, but it’s more important to find a way to help them. This article discusses why some might be having difficulty participating and suggests some types of activities that could help them. (more…)

Programs to Meet Different Needs
People in many countries have learned to read and write English but can’t speak it. There are interactive auditory programs that teach listening, understanding and pronunciation. Some years ago I learned to read French but no one ever spoke. I never heard it. Later, when I took some conversational French classes, everything I had learned previously made learning to speak and understand a great deal easier. There are other interactive programs that present an entire English course. This article discusses accents and provides tips for choosing an interactive English language program. (more…)

If English Second language children are interested and actively involved in what they are doing, they will learn to understand English. This article will present a type of activity that develops listening comprehension. (more…)

There are thousands of English Foreign Language schools and millions of classes throughout the world. English has become the international language for communication, even though more people speak Chinese than English worldwide. The reason for this may be that all countries have a number of English language speakers while many countries have very few Chinese speakers. The world has many diverse cultures spread over many countries. This article suggests topics that are of interest worldwide. (more…)

The order in which the verb tenses are introduced can make the structure of the English Language easier for the students to understand. Whereas pre-teen and early teen children learn a language by listening and repeating what they hear, without any need to think about grammar, this facility seems to fade as everyone gets older. The older a student is the more he or she will want to analyze the structure or learn using rules. Unfortunately many rules for the English language have exceptions – sometimes many exceptions. This article suggests a logical sequence for introducing tenses to beginners and supplies some sample activities. (more…)

English Second Language teachers everywhere have classes of children who are bursting with energy, ideas and jokes. They are laughing and talking in their first language as they enter the classroom. It’s your job as the teacher to change the focus of their thoughts to the content of the lesson that you have prepared. This article suggests types of activities that will catch their interest and establish control and harmony within the room. (more…)

When ESL teen-agers arrive in the classroom it may be the first class of the day so they will be fresh and ready to attend. That’s the best teaching time. There are other times of the day, such as the time before lunch or the latter part of the afternoon when they are tired and their energy level is low. Whereas these times are the most difficult, motivating some teen-agers in an English second language class can be difficult at any time of the day. This article offers tips for getting these young people involved in your program. (more…)

Teaching phonics to English Foreign Language children can be a challenge. There are aspects of the children’s environment that make phonics difficult for the teacher to teach and for the students to hear, repeat and understand. As we look at some of these problems let’s keep in mind that the key to their success – the most important factor in any lesson – is getting them interested and if possible, making it fun, an interesting challenge or perhaps funny. They’ll learn if they are enjoying themselves. This article offers ideas that can make phonics fun. (more…)