[BLOG] Nailing Your ESL Lessons: Picking the Perfect Teaching Materials
Not sure how to choose materials for your ESL lessons? Read this blog post about choosing the best ESL resources and find out!
Kaya
2/18/2024
Please keep in mind that the opinions posted on this blog are my own.
Everybody might have a different experience and opinions, and that's OK.
Picking the Perfect Teaching Materials
Teaching English as a Second Language is usually exciting, but when it comes to finding materials that add some pizzazz to your lessons? Well, that's a completely different ballgame. With an abundance of choices available, it can often seem like plunging into a vast ocean of textbooks and resources. Let’s look through the options together and make your ESL life a piece of cake!
Know Your Crowd
Before you start hunting for teaching materials, take a moment to get to know your students. What are their language levels? What topics get them excited? Knowing your crowd will help you pick materials that match their vibe and learning style.
Consider the Age
The age of your students plays a big role in selecting teaching materials. Younger learners may benefit from colourful visuals and interactive games, while older students might prefer more in-depth discussions and real-world scenarios. Keep their age in mind as you choose materials that resonate with their stage of life.
Set Your Goals
What do you want your students to achieve? Whether it's mastering grammar rules or acing conversational skills, setting clear objectives will guide your material choices. Keep your goals in mind as you sift through the options.
Think Visually
Let's face it – nobody likes staring at boring materials. Choose teaching resources that are visually pleasing and easy on the eyes. Bright colours, engaging graphics, and clean layouts can make your lessons more attractive and enjoyable for students.
Keep It Real
Forget the boring, outdated stuff. Look for teaching materials that feel real and relatable. Authentic content like podcasts, YouTube videos, and social media posts will keep your students engaged and connected to the language.
Represent Diversity
Make sure your teaching materials reflect the diverse world we live in. Look for content that showcases different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. It's all about creating an inclusive and welcoming learning environment.
Make It Accessible
Nobody likes struggling through confusing materials. Choose resources that are easy to understand and navigate, especially for students with varying language levels. Keep it simple and straightforward.
Stay Trendy
Languages are always evolving, and so should your teaching materials. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in ESL teaching. Whether it's new technology or popular slang, keep your materials fresh and relevant.
Listen to Your Students
Your students are the ultimate judges of your teaching materials. Don't be afraid to ask for their feedback. What do they like? What do they find challenging? Their input will help you fine-tune your material choices for future lessons.
Choosing the perfect teaching materials can take your ESL lessons from blah to brilliant. By considering factors like your students' needs, learning goals, age, visually pleasing materials, authenticity, diversity, accessibility, current trends, and student feedback, you can create engaging and effective lessons that inspire and empower your students. So, go ahead, rock those ESL lessons with confidence!
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Copyright Handy English 2021
”I used this with an adult ELL tutee of mine. I appreciate that the language was accessible for multiple proficiency levels, but the content wasn't obviously geared for children and still useful for older learners.”
August 7, 2023
”Another great resource from Handy English! I used it to give my students more in-depth practise into quantifiers and restaurant language. It's great resource and can be used after the students learn the basics of language for the restaurants and quantifiers. Definitely helped solidify what they learnt.”
February 5, 2023
”Love this resource. Great for fast finishers and also those in small ESL groups. Great for all macro skills as discussion and brainstorming is a great precursor for writing submissions.”
- Gail M.
June 25, 2023
Here's what other ESL Teachers say
Handy English: 4.8/5
”This was a wonderful resource for my students. It helped me introduce them easily to new concepts and it was quite engaging. Thanks!”
- Kiara B.
October 10, 2023
”Great resource for learning vocabulary, which supports comprehension and speaking skills.”
- Lori-Ann W.
September 29, 2023
”What a great way to get a healthy debate going. My students struggle with impulse control and they all have kept it kind and appropriate.”
- Alicia H.
September 17, 2023