TEFL Lesson Plans: Top Tips

Creating quality lesson plans is a key part of being a good teacher. Here are some tips to making effective lesson plans.

1.      Objectives

When planning a lesson, always think about your objectives from the student’s point of view. ‘What will they learn?’ is a far more pertinent question than ‘What will I teach?’

With that in mind, your objectives and aims for the lesson should help your students to get the most out of the lesson. You should then go about making sure the objectives are clear and likely to be both understood and achieved.

2.      Methods

Methods involve how you will achieve your objectives. This includes anything from handouts to spoken exercises. It may also involve explaining a certain language point, so make sure you are familiar with the subject.

3.      Timing

A good lesson plan involves good time management. You have to allow for introductory conversation and the usual time wasters. Then you must plan the duration of any exercises and allow for potential problems. Always leave enough time at the end for a summary of the lesson’s key points and any homework assignments.

4.      Problems

When thinking about what your students will learn in this lesson you should anticipate problems. This may be as simple as pronunciation (maybe they will struggle with the ‘th’ sound, for example), or as complex as an intricate grammar problem. Familiarity with the new language will help you to overcome any issues, so do your research.

5.      Materials

Planning a lesson involves preparing any necessary materials, including printouts, flashcards, or realia. Make sure you have these prepared in advance of the lesson as you don’t want to be rushing at the last minute.

Feel free to share your top tips for lesson plans in the comments below!