Lesson Planning Tips

Planning a lesson is a process that takes into account the learner’s strengths, needs, and expectations. 

• Start lesson planning by first determining what the desired results are for a lesson.
• Determine the evidence of learning in relation to the lesson objectives once the lesson has been completed. How can it be verified that the student learned the concept?
• Select the activities, tasks, and materials best suited for the lesson.

What are the considerations that come into play when planning a lesson?

• What is the expected outcome of the lesson?
• What learner competencies does the lesson seek to address?
• What will the learner accomplish in this lesson?  (The answer to this question becomes the learning objective.)
• How will skills and strategies for listening, speaking, reading, and writing be integrated into the lesson?
• What is the context or theme?
• What materials are needed?
• What digital literacy skills should be incorporated?
• How does this lesson relate to previous lessons?
• How will the learning outcomes be evaluated? 

For more information on lesson planning, refer to the book used during new tutor training these past few years: Teaching Adults: An ESL Resource Book, pages 163-171.

English Conversation Practice

ESLFast offers 1,500 ESL conversations across 25 topics, such as taking the bus, banking, restaurants, health, buying a car, dating, renting an apartment, and travel at https://www.eslfast.com/robot/   The speed of the conversation can be adjusted by clicking on the 3-dot drop down.(Use Chrome or Edge, not Firefox.)

Successful ESL Tutors Have These 5 Characteristics in Common:

1. Excellent Interpersonal Communication Skills

A successful tutor is positive, enjoys people, and shows enthusiasm for the lesson. Energy is contagious and motivates the student. Maintain a relaxed posture, good eye contact, uncrossed arms, and a smile. No fidgeting.

2. Flexibility

A successful teacher should be flexible and open to change when things go differently than planned. The teacher needs to be aware of what is happening and make mid-lesson alterations, if necessary. It is important to not get upset if a lesson goes sideways. Try to move the lesson back in the direction of accomplishing the outlined goals. 

3. Session Management

A successful tutor is well-organized, creative, and dependable. A properly-managed tutoring session spurs student cooperation and effort. Explain to the student in the first few lessons what is expected of him/her.

 4. Meaningful Lessons

A successful teacher develops lessons that appeal to the student’s interests and goals. Students should have the opportunity to use English in genuine tasks and gain fluency without worry of mistakes. Associate new information with something the student already knows and avoid too much grammatical explanation or activities without a clear purpose.

5. Cultural Awareness

A successful ESL tutor is sensitive to cultural differences and traditions. It is helpful if the tutor learns a bit of the student's culture to gain a deeper understanding of their background and way of thinking. A student is usually more motivated when they know that their teacher is making the effort to understand their culture.

Gesturing to Support Learning

https://www.edutopia.org/article/tips-using-hand-gestures-support-learning?utm_content=linkpos2&utm_source=edu-legacy&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly-2022-10-19

ESL Listening Lab

This site focuses on every day English comprehension skills at three levels, based on content, voice, vocabulary, and natural speed.

Check under the help tab for the “tips for teachers” handout on how to use this site.

Teach New Words Orally First

Students should learn the meaning of words by hearing and speaking them before trying to read them. This is especially important with beginning-level learners. Decoding new words in print can be difficult unless a student is already familiar with the meaning orally.

Community Resources

DuPage Children's Museum -- Free event on December 6th 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Care for Cars -- People's Resource Center supports households experiencing transportation challenges with gas cards, train tickets, taxi fare, and car repairs.

Catholic Charities: Immigrant Support Program -- Refer your student if s/he has immigration needs, requires help paying down fees, or has questions on new public charge. The agency is in Downers Grove.

Healthcare Coverage for Immigrants Age 42+ -- DuPage County Health Department provides assistance with medical coverage registration for uninsured and underinsured residents of DuPage County. 

English Flyer

Spanish Flyer

Legal Aid Society -- Individuals or families facing housing issues, such as eviction, poor conditions, security deposit, foreclosure, etc. may be eligible for free legal services. The intake line is

312-986-4105.

For many more resources to benefit your student, visit the Literacy DuPage website:

https://literacydupage.org/resources/resource-agencies/