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The last unit of the course deals with different common problem situations that can occur in the classroom when teaching English as a foreign language. One of the problems is meeting for the first time with a group of students, be it a new group or an existing group. In this situation it is very important that the teacher establishes a good rapport with the students and sets the tone for the rest of the course. I learnt that during the first lesson it is not advisable to use the course book, but to use different activities in order to find out about the students and the students` needs/aspirations with English. Another common problem is having students of different English level in the same class. I learnt that some techniques useful in this situation are to use different materials, to use the same material, but different tasks, or to pair stronger students with weaker students. Classes with large numbers of students can also be a frequent problem. Some techniques used to deal with this problem are using worksheets, par/group work, speaking in a loud and clear voice, using choral repetition, appointing group leaders, using the dynamic of large classes to organise humorous, involving classes. But I think that the most common problem when teaching English as a foreign language is that the students keep on using their native language during the class. As an ESL teacher, it's important to encourage students to use English, and only English. However, if students begin conversing in their first language, the teacher should move closer to them and ask them direct questions like \"Do you have a question?\" Another idea is to establish a set of class rules and develop a penalty system for when they use their first language. Students must understand that they must at the very least try to speak as much English as they can, even if it is for simple greetings, requests or statements In conclusion, I can say that as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, we must learn to constantly adapt to your students' needs. Many times, this means dealing with a variety of problems in the classroom, many of which are all too common occurrences. A good ESL teacher must be able to recognize these common problems, and work to find solutions. Even a small improvement in our teaching methods can help to create a more productive and casual environment for both the teacher and the students.
