Are you going to be teaching for the first time? Going into a classroom for the very first time can be very exciting but also slightly intimidating. Even experienced teachers still get nervous starting a new term with new students. There are lots of things you need to consider and do, to make sure your first lessons goes smoothly.
Prepared well in-advance and making a good plan will really help. You will probably have hundreds of things going through your mind when it comes to how to prepare for your first time teaching an ESL class. The first day of a new class is always exhilarating, and you can do things to make a good impression, enjoy your first class, and a lot more.
Check out our top tips which will help you to prepare for you teaching an ESL class for the very first time.
Plan Well and Be Flexible
Time management and organizations will be your helpful companions. But teaching can be unpredictable and that is why it is so much fun really that you will find how your first lesson will never go exactly as you imagined. So be flexible and do not worry if your first lesson does not go exactly the way you thought would go. If an activity takes 20 minutes less or more than you thought, just relax. Move into your next transition if an activity takes less time than you expected. Do not try to control too much on the first day, rather get familiar with your students and make them feel welcome and excited.
Talk about Yourself and Participate
It will be a great start if you have a small chunk of time of your lesson plan on the first day that allows the students to get to know you. It will give you room talking about yourself and participating in questions and answers with your learners. This will be beneficial for both you and the students as interactive participation will put the students and you at ease.
Keep Expectations Reasonable
It is very important that you do not expect too much on the first day as anything less than you expected may upset you and make things a bit difficult in the following days. So keep your expectations reasonably modest. This way you will not feel under pressure if something falls flat during the first lesson. You will want to get into the rhythm in your first class and students will also want to figure out you.
Set the Tone
You will want and need to set the tone of the class on the first day of your teaching an ESL class. It is a very important part of your preparations when it comes to how to prepare for your first time teaching an ESL class. Do not try to be too serious or too wild on the first day as that may put you at a disadvantage later. Be yourself and as flexible as you can providing the students with structures, and showing them that you are in charge of the class and have expectations from them.
Conclusion
The first day of a new class is always exiting, and if you have nerves, some good preparations as advised above, you should be fine when it comes to how to prepare for your first time teaching as an ESL class.
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