Top tips to help your English students thrive in the classroom
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As one of the
world’s most prevalent languages, learning English forms an essential part of
education. But that doesn’t mean all pupils will take to it, so what can you do as a teacher to enhance engagement and foster a love of English in your
classroom?
Here we look at how
you can motivate your pupils and encourage them to strive for greater
success with the use of games, personalised approaches and a range of other top
tips.
Motivation starts with you
Teachers should be role models for the pupils they teach, so
you should always be aware that your actions in the classroom are being closely
scrutinised. If you come across as a highly motivated and passionate individual
when teaching, that will reflect onto your students.
Look to approach every text, activity and lesson with
enthusiasm, and regularly hold feedback and discussion sessions to check that
pupils have an understanding.
How can you use games in English lessons?
Avoiding monotony in lessons is key to boosting engagement,
and making classes fun and memorable is crucial when looking to foster a love
of learning. This is when games can be incredibly useful. Many youngsters learn
via play and from being active, so could you implement a game rather than a
simple worksheet activity?
Language and vocabulary can be explored via picture cards,
drawing or acting, or by introducing a slightly different element to learning.
For example, primary teachers may wish to use noises or images, with pupils
then required to write the correct descriptive words relating to what they see
or hear. Acting out scenes from plays or dramatic texts is another way to bring
a lesson to life.
Demonstrate the importance of English
Pupil engagement is often far higher when they can apply
what they are learning to real-life settings. This can be easier with
languages, when compared to other subjects, as the amount of tools and
resources at your disposal are greater. You may want to look to the world of
media to explore how the English language is used for example, from looking at
newspaper headlines to the sort of words used in news reports and videos. You
could get your pupils to create their own snappy headlines when looking at the
power of certain words and phrases. Alternatively, you could delve into the
world of creating fully accessible video and audio with older classes.
Another way to enhance engagement is by showing how a
knowledge of English can enhance career options. The vast majority of work
environments require a basic level of language skills, so you can highlight to
pupils that pathways towards their dream careers might be dependent on what you
are teaching them.
Put an emphasis on learning and communication
The best way to learn English effectively is to use the language
and to encourage learners to do so at every opportunity. Emphasise the benefits
of reading a range of different texts and websites, while also encouraging
discussion at set times within lessons. Not only does this enable pupils to ask
questions and reinforce their understanding, but it also enables you to monitor
their progress.
Using group activities can also help with vocabulary
development, as you might find that pupils are more comfortable talking to
their peers in small groups, compared to standing up and saying something in
front of the whole class. Ultimately, teachers should use a mix of methodologies when teaching English, as it is the best approach to ensure the
maximum level of engagement in every lesson.
How Tradewind Recruitment can support Teachers looking for their next role in education
If you’re an English Teacher looking for support in writing your CV and preparing for your interview then we can help! Alternatively, we have lots of resources to help with everything related to you and your career, from top ideas for lesson plans to keeping organised in the classroom.
We have hundreds of teaching positions available if you’re looking for your perfect role as a Teacher – get in touch today.
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