How to Schedule Children's ESL Class Time Most Effectively

By Stephen Stocker

When ESL kids first arrive in the classroom for their English lessons, it may be the first class of the day, they will be fresh and ready to attend. That's the very best time for teaching ESL to children. There are other times of the day, such as the time just before lunch or in the latter part of the afternoon when they are tired and their energy level is low. These periods of the day are always a challenge teaching ESL to children.

Another group of English Foreign language students are those who come to class after a day's work. Four o'clock or sixteen hours is the most difficult time as they may not have had time for a snack or break of any kind. Many come at six or seven o'clock (eighteen or nineteen hours). This is a better time if they have had a chance to relax and get something to eat before class.

There is another situation that can be a challenge for the teacher to maintain a productive level of interest and learning. These are the students who are attending ESL classes that are paid for by their employer. Some of these students appreciate the opportunity to learn but others are attending only because it is an expectation of their job. Whether they attend during the day or after work there are always those who don't care about learning. Their attitude can affect the enthusiasm of the whole group.

How can we get the students interested?

Find some things such as sports, clothes, movies etc. - that many or most of the class are interested in. This will allow you to adapt ORAL QUESTIONS, for example, to be about those interests.

ORAL QUESTIONS that the teacher asks at the beginning of each class have been rated as the most helpful activity by hundreds of classes in several different countries. It is best to adapt those listed in the questions to meet the needs of the class as they are asked. In this way the teacher can follow the interests of the class. This also makes the teacher's task more creative and interesting!

Small group activities are another way to maintain interest. The students usually form groups with those who are sitting near them. They feel free when they are talking with their friends, and although they may not be excited about learning English they like to talk. This gives the students a little time off to joke around. Laugh with them but remind them to speak English!

ESL-Storybooks.com is a resource site for teaching kids ESL, with original kids ESL storybooks and ESL lesson plans for beginning ESL kids.