Every day I meet many people of all ages that are interested in studying English or must study English. They vary from children in kindergartens or nursery schools to students in Universities and retirees in their 60’s or 70’s.
I have been teaching English for more than 10 years and I am still learning many things about how to approach students, try to connect with them, keep them interested in the lesson, help them express their ideas and enjoy speaking English.
Before every lesson I remember my students, think about their likes and dislikes and then I can start preparing the lesson plan. I always start by reviewing previous lessons. With the young students I usually sing a song related to previously learned vocabulary, play a short and simple game if I feel they are not confident enough and I then can start introducing the new vocabulary using flash cards or a screen to display it. While introducing the new vocabulary I use gestures as much as possible and I also ask them to use gestures in order to remember the new words. After that, is all about smiles, games, role play activities, songs to make them enjoy and remember that lesson for as long as possible and to be able to use it that knowledge in the future.
With adults is quite similar but making the lesson fun has to be done on another level. Since I can’t dance, play as many games and use as many gestures as I do with the children, I must find other ways to make the lesson an interesting one.
If I meet the students for the first time than I have to put in all the effort to be able to make a lesson for all English lessons and I think that over the years I have gained some experience about how to do that.
Teaching English in Aomori, Japan has taught me many things. I learn so many things from everyone and I fell that the more people I meet and the more lessons I have to prepare and teach, the more my knowledge about life and what it takes to keep a smile on my face is improving day by day.
Thank you!
