6 things that you must do while teaching ESL beginners

When I was in Thailand, my first job was to teach a group of diploma students with no knowledge of English at all. The first few days was totally in chaos, because I was the only one who were doing the talking, while they were just seating down wandering what I am discussing. I expected them to participate, but it did not work out. It was disappointing, and I wanted to quit my job. However, I realized that I made many mistakes. It will not happen if I only knew what to do. In the end, I learned many things, and I did not regret of what happened to me on the first days of my teaching career.

It is a reality that to teach ESL beginners can be frustrating and daunting. Wouldn't it be great if they will be active or vocal on the first day of the class? However, this scenario does not always happen. Since they are beginners, then expect that they will be shy and sometimes quiet in the classroom during the first few days of ESL class.

What will you do if you will be assigned to teach beginning ESL students? Here are the 6 things I learned from my experience:

1. You must be patient with your students.
Maybe you experienced this situation – your student says he/she does not understand the lesson, so you explained. Still the student does not understand it, so you try again. You did your best to help the student, and still the student does not understand it – under no circumstances, you will lose your patience as a teacher. In this situation, a teacher must exercise patience. One of the best things to do is to set a moment to talk to the student after class, or give the student extra help during your free time.

2. Use simple words when you teach your students.
ESL beginners have limited English words, so as a teacher, it is advisable to use words that are easy for them to understand. If you will use new words, then make it sure, that you will first explain the words.

3. Using visual aids in the classroom will help your students to understand their lessons. 
Visual aids like pictures and illustrations help beginning students to understand the lesson if it will be used properly. I know it is time consuming for a teacher to prepare visual aids; however, it is well worth to do it. If your classroom has an LCD projector, you can use PowerPoint presentation. However, in some places, those things are not available, so it is good if a teacher knows how to draw stickman while explaining the lesson. A teacher can also use cut-out pictures from old magazines, newspaper, or books.

4. Your students will appreciate you if you will give them some time to think before they answer your question.
It is annoying in the part of the teacher if a student takes too long to answer the teacher’s question. However, sometimes, a student does not answer the question as quickly as you like it. Some students should be given a time to think first. If you will do it, your students will appreciate you.

5. Speaking too fast is not recommended. You must speak slowly.
Speaking too fast while teaching ESL beginners always happened especially for an inexperienced ESL teacher. If you want your students to understand you, then speak slowly and clearly. Also, pronounce the words properly.

6. Print handwriting than cursive will make your handwriting readable.
Can your students read and understand what you are writing on the board? If not, then something is wrong the way you write the letters. Remember that print handwriting is more readable than cursive handwriting for ESL beginners.

Let us always remember that the foundation of ESL learning starts at the beginner’s level. In addition, it is the responsibility of ESL teacher to make the teaching style acceptable and understandable for ESL beginners to learn.