10 Essential Classroom Tips For TEFL Teachers

Teaching English as a foreign language, whether abroad or from the comfort of your couch, is an adventure.

But before we get to revel in the excitement that new borders bring, or nuzzle into the free time that online teaching gives us, lessons need to be planned and students need to be taught. This is a big responsibility, but rest assured, we have a few TEFL classroom tips that will get you started and keep you going until school is out.   

Read more: How To Get TEFL-Certified: Everything You Need To Know

Be prepared… but don’t panic

Preparation is key but it doesn’t have to be stressful. 

Step away from the notes and coursebooks on your desk and take a moment to think about what you want your students to learn and how you will get them there.

Then take it in small steps.

Think about a relatable context and an engaging way to introduce it. Aim for a mix of activities that will work well with your student, or your group. 

Finally, and possibly the most important step is to know your target language – understand the grammar or vocabulary you are going to teach. Once you’ve mastered it yourself, the planning falls into place. 

Remember: the plan is a guide- students are the most important part of the process. 

Stay organised

This is a challenge for most teachers. 

We are often doing many things at once because you will have noticed that a TEFL certificate offers many routes of employment and new levels of busyness. We’re always juggling and it’s tough to stay organised. 

When you’re teaching multiple classes, different levels, one-to-one students, or bigger groups, it’s easy to forget who’s done what. 

So, keep notes on what you’ve covered and with whom. Record issues you’ve encountered, tricky language points or anything students struggled with. Consider keeping a small notebook or a digital file in your bag or on your desk and save yourself time, headaches and the embarrassment of teaching a repeat lesson to a group of disgruntled students.  

Check your equipment

It might sound obvious but make sure that everything works before class time. 

Whether it’s a projector, computer, or just the whiteboard markers – test, test, test. Nothing kills a lesson faster than discovering your audio is glitchy or the projector won’t read the format of that presentation you spent hours on! 

Always have a little backup activity, just in case. 

Know your stuff

Yes, your students are there to learn, but they’re learning from you. So best you know your target language well before walking into the classroom. 

Go over complex grammar points, vocabulary or tricky pronunciation beforehand so that you feel ready when presenting them to your students. It makes a huge difference to your confidence and that of your students when you can answer questions clearly. 

We’re not expected to know everything, all the time, the more research you do before a lesson, the less stressful it will be. 

 Be flexible

This is a tough one because as teachers, particularly newer teachers, we tend to cling to that lesson plan like our lives depend on it. 

However, more experienced teachers will know that things can go off-track no matter how carefully you plan. 

The good news is that that’s okay! 

You might find that students take longer on a task, or that a simple question sparks a whole new discussion. Be ready to adapt, and do’nt be afraid to go with a teachable moment. As long as your students leave the lesson feeling more knowledgeable than when they walked in, you’re fine. 

Read more: Top Tips For Affective Lesson Planning

Keep a few games handy

Whether it is a quick vocabulary quiz, a sentence-building race, or a role-play, having a few of these up your sleeve can fill awkward gaps, re-energise a tired class or extend a lesson that’s ended too early. 

A word of caution: a lesson should not be a series of games. But, if used wisely, games are lifesavers. 

Let students do the thinking

Looking back at how some of us may have been taught at school, the teacher was very much at the centre of every step of the lesson. 

And while I do believe that the teacher is still the bedrock of the classroom, our students need to be given the freedom and space to explore new language points for themselves. Doing so builds valuable qualities like confidence and autonomy.  

You might be tempted to explain everything, but the real magic happens when students figure things out for themselves. Show them examples, ask eliciting questions, and let them discover the rules. They’re more likely to remember them in this way!

Use tech wisely

Tech can be brilliant, but it shouldn’t run the class, and not every step should be dependent on it.

Apps like Quizlet or Kahoot are great for language practice, but always have a backup in case wifi cuts or devices let you down. 

Nothing like a good old worksheet, or effective board-work when all else fails!

Make the classroom comfortable and inclusive

A space that is conducive to learning is one where your students feel safe, comfortable and included.

 It sounds like a lot to cover for one teacher but it’s quite easy to achieve. Simply take a moment to think about your students, their needs, their mobility issues, visual or hearing difficulties or just different learning styles. 

What can we do to make our students feel like they belong and ready to learn? Think about placement of materials, accessible equipment, asking the school to organise mobility ramps, better lighting, lessons dotted with activities that speak to our learners who process differently.  

A safe, inclusive classroom means no one feels left out, and everyone can join in.

Mix up activities

Variety is a positive that helps differentiation in the classroom. 

No two learners are the same, and while you cannot include every kind of activity in every lesson, you can certainly plan your lessons so that everyone feels seen. Switch between group work, pair work and individual tasks to keep energy levels up. Throw in movement or short breaks when needed. 

It’s amazing how a minute of stretching or a quick game can refocus everyone. 

Read more: Brain Breaks For Young Learners

Encourage speaking

Language is meant to be used! 

Create plenty of speaking opportunities throughout the lesson, whether through pair work, group discussions, interviews, role-plays, or even a quick comparison of answers in pairs. This increases speaking time. 

Encourage students, gently correct mistakes, and celebrate their successes. Confidence is everything.

Build rapport

Show you care.

Remember names and use their names, ask about students’ interests, get to know your students. A warm smile and friendly attitude go a long way. When students feel comfortable, they’re much more willing to participate and take risks with the language.

Read more: Building Rapport In The Classroom

Quick checks for understanding

Asking students Do you understand? is usually a futile exercise. The answer is usually yes! regardless! 

Instead, try exit tickets, thumbs up/thumbs down, concept checking questions, or asking students to make a sentence using the target language. These techniques give a much clearer picture of their understanding and to what extent they can manipulate the language you’ve taught them. 

Keep it fun

Even when the work and aims are serious, lessons should be enjoyable. 

Fun doesn’t mean less learning – it means students are more engaged and more likely to remember what they’ve studied. Keep a light-hearted tone, use games and laugh together when appropriate. 

Humour can help diffuse stress, something that is always beneficial in the classroom.

Structure your lessons

This might sound rigid but having a clear start, middle, and end gives flow to a lesson. 

Warmers signal that it is time to switch into English mode, while a clear plenary wraps things up neatly and allows students to reflect on what they learnt or found challenging. 

Celebrate the people in your class

Make lessons relatable by connecting your activities or contexts to their lives, routines, and traditions.  This will make the language come alive and helps students engage with what they’re learning.  

Reflect on your lessons

Take a few minutes after each class to think: What went well? What could be better? Keep a notebook or digital journal to track your reflections. Over time, you’ll notice patterns and be able to tweak your lessons for the best results.

Teaching is a journey, and no-one gets everything right every time. These tips are to guide you, not to overwhelm you. 

Trust yourself, stay curious, and remember that small, thoughtful choices make a big difference. When your students feel comfortable and confident, so will you. 

Author Bio

Written by

Luan Dreyden

Edited by Kirsten Colquhoun

Luan is a Language Practitioner and certified ESL instructor. Her love for the English language led her into the classroom. After gaining experience at the top language schools in Cape Town, she went on to become the Head Teacher of a well-known English institution. This is where she discovered and practised her passion for teacher training. She now runs the TEFL courses for The TEFL Academy in Cape Town and continues to teach second language learners – both in the classroom and online. Read Luan Dreyden's story →