by Gloria Edmonson Nelson

Created on: December 08, 2009

When teaching ESL learners, you most recognize the importance of their own culture, according to the American TESOL Institute. Develop daily lesson plans that deal with things they can recognize in their own language. Students are more open to the learning process when they feel included.

Place the students traditions in context, for example; share holiday traditions from around the world. Although they may vary; there are certain things that all people have in common. Use this time to teach ESL students new words.

Build ESL students' confidence. Teachers should make them feel secure. If they are comfortable and feel included; they are more likely to be enthusiastic in competing with other students.

It is important to include family members in the learning process by having a family night or special events. You can Involve the students in the coordination; for example, use them as host and hostesses; greeters, registrants, etc. There might be students who want to sing or dance to entertain in their native language. They can also practice their conversational English skills.

American TESOL Institute provides on-line and in-class certification programs for professional development and teaching English abroad. There are on-line classes for children for children two through 17, as well as the different developmental stages of children. For further information on the American TESOL Institute call: 877-748-7900.

ESLgold.com is another great site for teachers who are working with ESL students. It has thousands of ideas and materials for classes and students, including lesson plans, hand-outs, vocational study, quizzes, grammar, pronunciation, exercises, and speaking procedures. There are also games and activities to make learing a joyful experience. For example, there are words and phrases divided into categories such as: low beginning, high beginning, low intermediate, high intermediate, and advanced.

Low Beginning includes concepts such as action verbs, basic foods, and clothing, etc. High beginning includes things such as animals divided by types: reptiles, aquatic, birds and domestic, etc. High intermediate and advanced include multiple choice exercises.

According to ESLgold.com; their materials will save hours of preparation time for teachers, and students will be excited because teachers can also adapt the materials to fit the individual classrooms and students. The students can also be assigned on-line homework. They say they have a "goldmine of materials at the click of the mouse."

It is possible to build trust and understanding when teaching ESL students; no matter what age they are. When teachers use a combination of the ESL students' culture, while incorporating entertaining lesson plans, as well as inviting family members to social functions; students will be enthusiastic about learning.

REFERENCES:

Americantesol.com/teaching-esl-students.html

ESlgold.com/

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