Students, especially adult
learners, often start the course with expectations that are far from
realistic. Do they want to speak English perfectly? Take a difficult
international examination? When adjusting expectations, don't emphasize
what they won't be able to do. Instead, focus on what they will
accomplish. Bring their expectations down a notch and express them as
realistic goals.
Add Variety!
 Variety is one of the keys to
keeping students engaged. Play different games, sing different songs, and
as soon as an activity gets stale, replace it with another your students
will enjoy a lot more. Introducing variety keeps your students from getting
bored and knowing exactly what comes next. Surprise them every now and
then!
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 When you're about to teach a
tricky verb tense or expression, don't jump in with an example. Instead,
lead in by using what your students already know. For example, if you're
teaching a phrase like "make an appointment", first ask them if
they can go see their doctors whenever they like without calling first.
When they say no, you tell them they need to "make an
appointment" first.
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Crack Open the Dictionary
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 Keep an English-English dictionary
in your classroom or encourage students to have a dictionary app on their
phones, like Merriam-Webster's. When students are working on their own or
in small groups, and one of them asks about the meaning of a word, give them
the dictionary and tell them to look it up. This creates more independent
learners and reminds them that you are not a dictionary.
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 If a student struggles to come up
with an answer, another great way to lend a hand (but without actually
giving them the answer) is to use a gesture. If a student
forgets to use the verb in past, you can wave you hand backwards or
forward for the future. Be consistent in the gestures you use for class
management, and your class will go a lot smoother, too.
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 If your goal is to help students
speak the language they're learning as much as they can, try playing dumb
when they speak to you in their native tongue. Say things like, "Sorry,
what was that?" or "I'm sorry, I don't speak your
language" (even if you actually do). It might seem strange at
first, but soon enough your students will get used to it.
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 You may not know the difference
between a meme and a GIF, but your students probably do. Don't
underestimate the power that pop culture elements have when it comes to
engaging students. Memes, animated GIFs, viral videos, comic books heroes
or pop culture icons, use them for games, writing assignments or to spark
interesting discussions.
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Get a Stack of Celebrity Photos
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 This is one deck of cards you'll
always want to have with you.
Cut out celebrity pics from magazines and glue them onto index cards or
any sturdy cardboard or poster board. Use your cards for comparisons,
question games, board games, guessing games - you name it! They're great
for conversation, grammar practice or even writing assignments.
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 When you have a few minutes left
before the end of class, get a timer and set it to 60 seconds. Give your
class a task they can complete in this very short amount of time: list
the words they learned today (as many as they can); write a short
paragraph about something they learned; or come up with three questions
to ask a partner.
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Avoid Using Technology for Technology's
Sake
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 More than ever before, we're using
technological devices in the classroom, but have you given any thought as
to why exactly we're using them? Are you using technology to help you
achieve a learning goal? Or are you using it so you can SAY you're using
technology in the classroom? Needless to say, the learning goal always
comes first!
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 Are you proud of the way an
activity turned out? Take a photo! Did your students just create the most
fabulous art? Take a photo! Did they agree to wear costumes for a special
role play? For crying out loud, you've got to take a photo of that! These
snapshots serve as more than mere souvenirs. They're reminders of things
that really worked, and you can always go back and revisit them.
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 Nothing engages students more than
authenticity. By the same token, they will sniff you out if you're not
genuine. Don't act like someone you're not. Don't be afraid to be
yourself! Let all of your weird, quirky aspects come to light. Are you a
Trekkie who likes to attend comic book conventions? Do you like to act,
sing or dance? Let your students see the real you.
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Take Good Care of Yourself
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 Sometimes we rush through a flurry
of tests, lesson plans and activities, and we forget to eat, exercise or
even sleep. You won't do your students any good if you're tired, hungry
or sick. Eat well and have a weekly exercise routine, even if it's simply
walking to school. Make sure you get at least 7-8 hours of sleep. You'll
need your strength for when flu season rolls around!
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 There can be so many things going
wrong in a classroom - it's impossible to tackle every single one at the
same time. Say you have students who mostly speak their native language
in class, who play with their phones and never do their homework. Choose
one area to focus on for a while - don't ignore the rest, but make sure
most of your efforts go towards helping them change one thing at a time.
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If at First You Don't Succeed...
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 Sometimes you have no choice but
to try and try again. Sometimes the example you give is not enough to
help a student understand. The second example is not any better. Try and
try again. They will get it at some point. The same goes for students who
give up too easily. Tell them they have to keep trying. Giving up is not
an option!
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 It's not encouraging to hear
students say they hate learning English. They say they'd rather be
anywhere else? Yikes! It might sound harsh, but if you've been nothing
but kind and supportive, it's not you. They simply lack the motivation
and drive needed to surpass whatever obstacles they may have. The good
news it that YOU can still do something about it.
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 It may sound a lot simpler to let
your students play a game for 40 minutes, but you run the risk of letting
their enthusiasm fizzle out. Instead of planning one long activity, break
up the class into smaller, 10 to 15-minute tasks, and briskly take them from
one to the next. A good pace keeps students from getting bored and keeps
them on their toes.
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 Before you print out a worksheet
you plan to use, replace every "Bob", "John" or
"Mary" with your students' names. They'll think it's very funny
to see their names in the worksheets. It's a better way to engage them in
the completion of the exercise as you're involving them and not random
fictional people they don't know.
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 Quite often, when you ask students
if they understand, they'll say yes or say nothing at all. A better way
to check for comprehension is to ask them questions. For example, you
give a set of instructions. Instead of asking if they've understood, ask,
"Okay, so what should you do first?" If students can't
answer this question, go through the instructions again.
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 Don't Translate it!
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When students ask for the meaning
of a word or even outright ask for a translation, resist the urge to say
the word in their native language. If you do, the meaning will be
perfectly clear, but a better learning experience would be for them to
hear the definition or a synonym in English. It works better towards
expanding their vocabulary.
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 Students need to develop different
skills, not just English conversation. Follow up a discussion with a
listening task. Then use an interesting reading as a jumping-off point
for a writing assignment. Try to practice each different skill at least
once in each lesson to give your students the chance to work on improving
each.
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Incorporate Your Students' Culture(s)
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 Your students are learning English
and a great deal about American or English culture, but that does not
mean you have to completely ignore their own. If you have a multicultural
classroom, have students share information about their national holidays,
customs or special ways in which they celebrate holidays like Christmas.
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 Do you have a student who can play
the guitar? How about some with artistic talent? Are there any who can
juggle? Use these talents to inject some personalized fun into your class
and boost their confidence. While students are struggling to learn a new
skill, they can relax while they show their classmates something they can
already do very well.
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Would you launch into an exercise
routine without warming up first? Well, you could, but that won't be any
good for your body. The same goes for topics you need to introduce. Always
start with a warm up. Review what they've previously learned.
Set the context. Ask them questions to see what they already know about
the topic.
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End Your Lesson on a Positive Note
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 Try not to send your students home
without some sort of closing activity or conclusion. Ask them what
they've learned today. Tell them to name three things they can tell their
friends or a parent about. But more importantly, confirm they
accomplished the learning goal for the day. It keeps your students
connected to the steps they're taking to reach their larger, overall
goal.
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Give Two Pieces of Praise for Every
Critique
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 When giving your students
feedback, try to give two pieces of praise for each item they need to
work on. For example, after a role play, tell your student he used the
vocabulary and expressions correctly, and that he did so with excellent
pronunciation and intonation, but that he needs to focus on correcting
his grammar.
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 When students cross the line,
avoid reprimanding them in front of their classmates. Firstly, you will
have their undivided attention. Secondly, the student in question will be
spared the public embarrassment. And finally, you will have the
opportunity to create a pact, just the two of you, regarding what comes
next, and what the consequences will be if they continue misbehaving.
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 It happens to all of us. There are
moments you feel you will lose it. You feel your control of the situation
slipping away and fear it may end badly. Take a deep breath and stop
whatever it is the class is doing. Tell them to settle down and give them
a short worksheet or written assignment. Take this quiet time to collect
your thoughts and plan your next course of action.
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 A great way to check answers after
a grammar activity or worksheet completion is to put students into small
groups, and have them read out and compare their answers. If there are
any discrepancies, they can discuss what the right answer is. Those whose
answers are correct can help students who've made mistakes pinpoint where
the problems lie and explain what they did wrong.
Follow up an Answer with Another Question
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 To
maximize SSS (student speaking time), follow up a student's answer
with another question. If a student answers, "I would like to go
to the Bahamas", ask them why. If a student replies that he/she
went away for the weekend, ask them where. This is also a great strategy
for students to learn in their conversation practice or discussions.
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Create Some Friendly Competition
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 Students are naturally
competitive, so when you give them opportunities to compete, they will be
highly motivated. Have them compete for points, special prizes or simply
the chance to have their names written on the "Winner's
Circle". Who can come up with the biggest list of words related to
foods in 60 seconds? Who can write the longest paragraph about their
weekend?
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Don't Give Answers, Elicit
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 When students ask about the
meaning of an expression, phrase or word, instead of explaining to them
what it means, try asking questions like: What do you think? Can
you guess? Which part of this phrase do you already understand? Can you
guess the rest? You already know the meaning of this word, what do you
think it means in this context?
Encourage Self-Correction
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 Learning a new language takes a
great deal of trial and error. Teachers are responsible for helping
students see their errors. But helping them "see their errors"
does not mean "giving them the right answer". So the next time
you want to correct a mistake, ask them to repeat what they said or ask,
"Are you sure about that? Try again."
Don't Remain Seated for Long
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 No matter how tired you may be, resist
the urge to teach while seated. It's a lot easier to hold your
students attention by walking around the classroom. You can also change
your pace, walk faster, slow down, go to the board, then to the back of
the classroom. Your constant movement will keep your students alert.
Don't Shower Them with Ideas, Brainstorm
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 When you need to reach a decision
as a group, for example, regarding a special class project, don't just
give them some of the ideas you've come up with. Brainstorm as a
class! Draw a mind map on the board and write down ALL of the
ideas they come up with no matter how possible/impossible they are. Then
go through your list together, and narrow it down to the best three
ideas. Finally, vote!
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Learning new words in isolation is
harder than you think. When teaching new vocabulary, try to form clusters
of five to six related words. Show students how they are connected on a
mind map or any other graphic organizer. Make sure students practice all of
the words in the cluster together, not just one or two.
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- Learners take it in turns to describe their
picture. Their partner draws it
Activity: Two
true, one false
Aim: to
build fluency and practise conversational English
Try these ten activities
to better understand your learners’ needs, interests and 
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