15 Useful Tips For Teaching English As A Second Language

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Oct 29, 2025, 10:27 PM

15 useful tips for teaching english as a second language

Are you a TEFL teacher looking for some effective classroom tips? Take a look below! Teaching English as a second language can be a daunting task for anyone, even an experienced and skilled teacher. Like teaching any other subject, you’ll find that your students — children and adults alike — learn at different levels, and you’ll need to adapt to each person’s learning pace to ensure everyone benefits... Although challenging, teaching a new language to a student is also extremely rewarding. To help you along the way, we’ve listed 15 top tips that you can utilize in the classroom.

Although you may be a proficient English speaker, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re qualified to teach others. So, if you’re serious about teaching English as a second language, you must obtain a bachelor’s degree (in any subject) as well as a 120-hour TEFL certification. You can complete your TEFL or master’s in TESOL online or enroll in a college course. Teaching English as a second language is a task that is often easier said than done. Even for an experienced teacher, successfully leading your first ESL class can be challenging.However, teaching ESL, at its core, is the same as teaching fluent students because you still need to apply basic classroom... Your lessons need to be structured to cater to an array of learning needs too.

But you’ll also face some unique challenges when working with English language learners.Teaching language skills while compensating for different cultures, learning styles, and educational backgrounds, all while trying to break through language barriers, can... But with the right tips and tricks up your sleeve, teaching your students the English language can be an extremely rewarding experience.Let’s take a look at some essential language skills and teaching tips every... How to be a Pro at Teaching English as Second Language: Although you might be fluent in the English language, that doesn’t mean you’re qualified to teach others. Anyone serious about teaching English as a second language should obtain a bachelor’s degree (in any subject) and complete a 120-hour TEFL certification course. Whether you choose to do your TEFL certification or master’s in TESOL online or at a physical college is up to you.

After you’ve been certified, you’ll receive the resources you need to apply for teaching positions and set off on your new career, whether that’s in your home country or abroad. Native English speakers might not think that adding a few extra words to a sentence can cause confusion. But from the perspective of a foreign language learner with limited English proficiency, there’s a major difference between “put your book on the shelf” and “would you mind placing your book back on the... You can gradually introduce new English words once your students have the building blocks in place that will ensure they understand the basics of the English language. Visuals can be words on desks, handouts, and even drawings. Regardless of whether you’re teaching kids or adults, visuals can help your students better relate to physical objects, which speeds up the process of picking up on words outside of their native language.

A pictorial wall is also a great way to help expand the vocabulary of your students, and every great teacher knows this. You can also give your students time to watch movies in the English language, perhaps they could be subtitled to encourage active participation in the activity. In the ESL class, the old saying that a picture speaks a thousand words couldn’t be closer to the truth. Language learning can feel bland and boring if you’re going at it in black and white for hours on end. And this is the last thing you want your learners to experience, which is why you need to find fun ways of sprucing up each lesson with interesting verbal and written instructions. Perhaps incorporating the interests of your students into the lessons helps them engage and broadens their understanding of the topic.

Separating the class into teams that compete against each other is also a fun way to encourage students and ensure you’re adding an element of excitement to the learning process. And when learners are excited and interested in the subject, they find it easier to relate to the new language, which makes bridging the language barrier easier. Teaching English as a second language (ESL) is a rewarding and dynamic career that demands both passion and skill. Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting on this journey, understanding the essential dos and don'ts can greatly influence your success. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore key practices that can help you thrive as an ESL teacher while avoiding common pitfalls. Knowing your students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds is crucial.

This includes their first language, learning experiences, and educational expectations. Tailor your lessons to bridge cultural differences and accommodate diverse learning styles. Language is primarily about communication. Encourage students to speak and listen, creating real-world scenarios that prompt practice. Offering a safe space for spoken English can enhance confidence and fluency, making lessons more engaging. Integrate various resources like books, audio-visual aids, online tools, and real-world materials.

Diverse resources can cater to different learning preferences, ensuring all students remain engaged and motivated throughout their learning journey. Include cultural learning in your lessons. Teach students about practical nuances such as idioms, cultural gestures, and social norms. Understanding cultural contexts helps with both language competency and adapting to English-speaking environments. Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), or more broadly, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), is a dynamic and rewarding field that requires patience, creativity, and effective strategies. TESOL educators work with students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, guiding them toward language proficiency for communication, academic success, and professional growth.

TESOL instruction is not just about teaching vocabulary and grammar—it involves developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a way that is engaging and meaningful. Given the diversity in students’ needs, TESOL teachers must be adaptable and culturally sensitive while applying research-based strategies to enhance language acquisition. In this article, we will explore essential tips for TESOL educators, focusing on strategies for classroom management, lesson planning, language skills development, and cultural sensitivity. One of the most important aspects of TESOL instruction is understanding the backgrounds of your students. Learners come from different linguistic, cultural, and educational backgrounds, which affect how they approach language learning. By taking students’ backgrounds into account, TESOL educators can create more effective and personalized learning experiences.

Last Updated: September 14, 2025 Fact Checked This article was co-authored by Kiera Ayres and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Kiera Ayres is a test prep instructor and English teacher based in Vancouver, BC. With over 10 years of experience teaching English, Kiera primarily works with clients learning English as a second language who are interested in immigrating to Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the UK. In 2020, she founded PROFessional PREParation, a test prep platform offering engaging, high-quality materials to support IELTS and CELPIP studies, as well as general English learning. Kiera has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Thompson Rivers University.

There are 25 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 765,450 times. Teaching English as a second language for beginners is super rewarding, but it definitely feels a little daunting when you’re stepping into the classroom for the first time. In the world of ESL, how you teach is just as important as what you teach—the key is knowing where to start. We’ve put together all of the building blocks for your English lessons, so both you and your students can have a fun and productive class.

English language teacher Kiera Ayres suggests teaching your students the fundamentals, like numbers, the alphabet, days of the week, months, and the weather. Then, move on to phonics and basic grammar. Speak to your students in English using simple phrases like “Repeat after me” or “Finish this sentence.” To teach English as a second language to beginners, start by reviewing the alphabet and numbers up to 100. Then, work on pronouncing more difficult sounds, like "TH," "R," and "L," which can be difficult for new English learners. Move on to learn basic nouns, like classroom objects, food, and things your students will encounter in their daily lives.

From there, work on using adjectives to describe the size, shape, and color of nouns. When your students are ready, teach them about verbs and let them use verbs to describe what they're doing. For tips from our educational reviewer on forming sentences and creating lesson plans, read on! Home » 14 Tips for Learning English as a Second Language In today’s globalized world, mastering English as a second language is an essential tool for expanding personal and professional horizons. Whether your goal is to enhance your communication skills, boost your career opportunities, or even prepare for a role in teaching English, learning this language can open doors.

In this article, we share 14 strategic tips to help you develop language skills in a practical and effective way. We also provide insights for those interested in teaching English as a second language, as well as job opportunities and effective methods for teaching English as a second language. Before embarking on any learning journey, it is crucial to establish well-defined objectives. Ask yourself: what is your main goal in learning English? Imagine trying to learn a classroom lesson when you don’t understand the language in which it is being presented. Teaching English language learners requires specialized strategies; and at the most basic level, one of those strategies is to “put yourself in their shoes.”

More than 5 million children in U.S. schools are classified as English language learners (ELLs), according to the Department of Education. These students face the dual challenge of learning the material while also learning the language, as their teachers face the added challenge of using the right educational strategies to help them succeed. Some of the most effective English language learner strategies start with common sense and respect for cultural differences. Simply getting to know the students is considered to be an essential part of the process. For educators who teach English language learners, developing a deeper understanding of their unique needs and the best practices for teaching them has many benefits.

These include: Here, we will review a range of time-tested English language teaching strategies that benefit students and educators alike. Learning how to teach English as a second language can be an exciting journey. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting, there’s always something new to learn about how to be an effective teacher. Dive into these essential tips to enhance your teaching techniques and help your students thrive! Every student is unique, and understanding their needs is crucial to effective teaching.

Get to know their backgrounds, interests, and learning styles. This will help you tailor your lessons to be more engaging and relevant. Before starting your lessons, assess the language proficiency of your students. This will help you create appropriate lesson plans and set achievable goals. Use placement tests, interviews, or simple conversations to determine their level. Being aware of your students' cultural backgrounds can enrich your teaching experience.

15 Useful Tips For Teaching English As A Second Language

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