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Teaching beginner studentsBefore teaching a new class of beginners it is important to get to know your students. They should be made to feel comfortable in the classroom and you should provide a friendly and relaxed working atmosphere. Even though your students are only beginners it is important to introduce materials that are appropriate to the age group, if you teach them using children?s terms they will be uninterested, you must give your students respect. When dealing with a new class you should assess your students informally in order to determine the skill levels throughout the class. Although they are only starting some of them may have had previous exposure to the language, they may have learned some at school or spent some time in a English speaking country. It is important to keep your own language under control and remember to enunciate your words, as slang words and dialect will only confuse your students. Most people aren?t?t going to grasp a concept on the first try so be prepared to explain it again, but in a different manner. Be patient and give students time to give an answer. They should be made to feel confident so giving compliments and letting them know they are doing well should combat any feelings of embarrassment or shyness and will encourage the pupils to be more assertive with their input. Group or pair activities are a good way of making sure individuals don't feel under too much pressure or in the spotlight. They are also good for class dynamics as the students get to know each other and help each other. Some people think ?How am I supposed to teach a class English when I can?t speak their native language? But the solutions are simple. For example, give students simple commands, such as "Pick up your pencil." Demonstrate the action that you are doing after you say it. Indicate that students should follow suit. Say the command again. Ask students to repeat it, or, when teaching the time bring a clock to class. Since students at this level will have difficulty reading about time in an English textbook, you should use an actual clock to teach them. Teaching the alphabet or the numbers from one to a hundred will give students a sense of accomplishment which in turn will boost their confidence and make them more comfortable participating in activities or giving an answer. Ask them what they want to learn. Many times there are words they want to know and will jump for the opportunity to ask. Try to see your explanations and demonstrations from the perspective of the class and make your lessons fun. Have plenty of variety to keep the class engaged from the beginning there are many was to do this for example, classroom games such as Eye Spy to help reinforce vocabulary associated with the classroom, video, tongue twisters, using picture cards to help illustrate meaning, getting students to make their own holiday brochures when teaching vocabulary associated with hotels. It is important to be creative and show the students that you are interested and enthusiastic and they will be too.
