R.

VILLACORTE

ESL Teaching Guide

for Beginners

A one-stop quickstart guide for all your online English teaching needs!
Table of
Contents
01 The author

02 Introduction

03 Adult learners vs. Young learners

04 Questions to ask before teaching

05 Classroom management

07 Motivating learners

08 The ESA model

08 CEFR levels

09 Choosing a platform or company

10 Six-stage ESL lesson plan

12 Some activities for teaching English

The Author

HELLO THERE! I'M RAY.

I’m a certified English as a Second Language (ESL) and Foreign
Language (EFL) teacher. I’ve been teaching English to local and
foreign students for more than two years now. New teachers who
are just stepping into the online English teaching industry ask me
questions that I’ve asked myself when I just started. Now, with the
rising popularity of remote work and ESL companies all around the
world, I feel that this is the perfect time to compile the basics I’ve
learned so far in a single digital booklet.

I hope you’ll learn a lot from this and share it with others who may
be interested in taking the online English teacher route!
Introduction
Welcome to your adventure as an ESL teacher! This guide will help you
get started by providing practical advice, insights, and tools for
effectively teaching English as a second language. Whether you teach
children or adults, this ebook will help you enhance your teaching abilities
and confidence.

To a new English as a Second Language

(ESL) instructor in an adult education
program, the task of teaching English might
be intimidating.

A teacher new to ESL frequently asks:

“Who will my new students be?”

“What is their level of English proficiency?”

“Which materials should I use?”

“How do I assess my students and document

their progress?”

“How can I analyze and document my pupils'

progress?”

This resource guide provides a brief

overview of the information. Teaching ESL
may be an interesting and rewarding
experience. We hope this guide makes your
experience more manageable and rewarding.
Adult learners
vs. Young
learners
ADULT LEARNERS
Motivation: Often self-
motivated, learning for career
advancement or personal
interest.
Learning Style: Prefer
structured, relevant content
and practical application.
Challenges: May have
FOOD FOR THOUGHT!
preconceived notions about
You must be able to tailor your
learning and less time due to
teaching strategies to suit the
work or family commitments.
age group of your learners.
Knowing your students makes it
easier to incorporate activities
YOUNG LEARNERS that align with their interests and
Motivation: Generally more learning styles.
curious and motivated by fun,
interactive activities.
Learning Style: Learn best
through play, repetition, and
a variety of sensory
experiences.
Challenges: Shorter attention
spans and varying levels of
language exposure at home.
Questions to
ask before
teaching
WHO ARE MY STUDENTS?
Understanding your students' demographics, such as age, cultural
background, and proficiency level, is crucial for tailoring your lessons to
their needs. This knowledge helps you create relevant and engaging
activities that resonate with your learners and address their specific
challenges.

WHAT ARE THEIR GOALS?

Identifying your students' goals, whether they are learning for exam
preparation, improving conversational skills, or advancing their careers,
allows you to align your lesson plans with their objectives. Clear goals
help in maintaining motivation and ensuring that your teaching is effective
and purposeful.

WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE?

Assess the resources you have at your disposal, including textbooks,
online materials, and classroom tools. Knowing what you have access to
helps you plan your lessons more efficiently and ensures that you can
provide a variety of learning materials to cater to different learning styles.

HOW WILL I ASSESS PROGRESS?

Establishing methods for assessing your students' progress, such as
tests, quizzes, or project work, is essential for tracking their development
and providing feedback. Regular assessment helps you identify areas
where students need more support and adjust your teaching strategies
accordingly.
Classroom
management
SET CLEAR RULES
Establishing clear rules and expectations from the beginning helps create
a structured and respectful classroom environment. Clearly
communicated rules guide student behavior and minimize
misunderstandings, ensuring that everyone knows what is expected of
them.

BE CONSISTENT
Applying rules and consequences
consistently is key to maintaining
fairness and respect in the
classroom. Consistency helps build
trust with your students and
reinforces the idea that everyone is
held to the same standards, which is
crucial for effective classroom
management.

ENGAGE STUDENTS
Using a variety of engaging activities
keeps students interested and
minimizes disruptions. Active
participation and diverse teaching
methods, such as group work,
interactive games, and multimedia
resources, help maintain students'
focus and enthusiasm for learning.
 ADDRESS ISSUES PROMPTLY
Handling behavioral issues calmly and
promptly prevents small problems
from escalating. Addressing issues as
they arise shows students that you are
in control and care about maintaining a
positive learning environment, which
helps to reinforce appropriate
behavior.

DEVELOP ROUTINES
Creating and maintaining routines
helps manage time and transitions
smoothly, making the classroom
environment predictable and efficient.
Routines provide structure, reduce
uncertainty, and help students know
what to expect, which can lead to
better behavior and more effective
learning.

FOSTER A SUPPORTIVE ATMOSPHERE

Encouraging a supportive and inclusive classroom atmosphere
makes students feel comfortable and valued. Building positive
relationships with students and promoting mutual respect
among peers can enhance their willingness to participate and
contribute to the class.

Classroom
management
 Motivating
learners

RELEVANCE VARIETY

For adult learners, connecting lessons to Adults benefit from a mix of activities that
real-life situations and their personal or cater to different learning styles, such as
professional interests increases discussions, case studies, and problem-
engagement and motivation. solving tasks. Variety prevents lessons
Demonstrating how learning English can from becoming monotonous and keeps
directly benefit their daily lives or career adults engaged. For young learners,
prospects makes the lessons more incorporating diverse activities like
meaningful. For young learners, relate games, songs, and hands-on projects
topics to their interests, hobbies, and maintains their interest and caters to their
familiar scenarios, making learning feel shorter attention spans.
relevant and exciting.

PRAISE & GOAL SETTING

ENCOURAGEMENT
Helping adult learners set realistic and
For adult learners, connecting lessons to achievable goals gives them a clear
real-life situations and their personal or sense of direction and purpose.
professional interests increases Regularly revisiting and adjusting these
engagement and motivation. goals keeps them motivated and
Demonstrating how learning English can focused on their progress. For young
directly benefit their daily lives or career learners, setting short-term, attainable
prospects makes the lessons more goals with immediate rewards helps
meaningful. For young learners, relate maintain their enthusiasm and sense of
topics to their interests, hobbies, and accomplishment.
familiar scenarios, making learning feel
relevant and exciting.
The ESA model
Engage, Study, Activate (ESA) is teaching methodology that has been
used by many teachers who are teaching English or any foreign language.

ENGAGE
The Engage phase aims to capture students' interest and prepare them for
the lesson. Activities such as warm-up exercises, intriguing questions,
discussions, or using visual aids and multimedia can stimulate curiosity
and create a positive, enthusiastic atmosphere. Engaging students from
the start makes them more receptive to learning new material.

STUDY
In the Study phase, the focus is on the detailed understanding and
practice of the target language, including grammar, vocabulary, and
pronunciation. This phase involves presenting new material, explaining
concepts, and conducting controlled practice through exercises, drills,
and worksheets. The goal is to ensure that students grasp the language
components accurately and thoroughly.

ACTIVATE
The Activate phase encourages students to use the language in
communicative, real-life situations. Activities such as role-plays,
discussions, projects, and presentations provide opportunities for
students to practice what they have learned in a meaningful context. This
phase helps consolidate their knowledge and build confidence in using
the language independently and creatively.
CEFR levels
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is
an international standard for describing language proficiency. It divides
language ability into six levels: A1 (Beginner), A2 (Elementary), B1
(Intermediate), B2 (Upper-Intermediate), C1 (Advanced), and C2
(Proficient). These levels provide a clear and structured way to assess
and track language progress. For teachers, CEFR levels help in designing
lessons that match students' abilities, setting appropriate learning goals,
and evaluating progress consistently. For students, understanding their
CEFR level offers a clear path for development and measurable
milestones, enhancing motivation and making their language learning
journey more focused and effective.

THE CEFR LEVELS

A1 (Beginner): Basic phrases and simple interactions.

A2 (Elementary): Simple conversations on familiar topics.

B1 (Intermediate): Independent use of the language in familiar situations.

B2 (Upper-Intermediate): Effective communication with some complexity.

C1 (Advanced): Fluent and spontaneous communication.

C2 (Proficient): Precise and nuanced use of the language.

CLICK HERE FOR CAMBRIDGE’S

CEFR DIAGRAM
Choosing a
platform or
company
Selecting the right platform or company
to teach ESL is a crucial step in your
teaching journey. With numerous options
available, it's important to find one that
aligns with your teaching style, goals,
and schedule. A well-chosen platform or
company can provide the necessary
resources, support, and opportunities to
develop your skills and advance your
career. This section will guide you
through key considerations to help you
make an informed decision that best
suits your needs and aspirations.

Research: Explore different platforms and companies offering ESL teaching

opportunities.

Requirements: Check the qualifications, certifications, and experience needed.

Support: Look for platforms that provide training, resources, and ongoing support.

Flexibility: Consider your availability and the flexibility offered by the platform.

Pay and Benefits: Compare compensation packages and additional benefits.

Six-stage
lesson plan
A well-structured lesson plan is essential for effective teaching.
The six-stage ESL lesson plan provides a clear framework to
ensure that your lessons are comprehensive, engaging, and
cater to your students' learning needs. This approach covers all
necessary aspects of language learning, from warming up and
introducing new material to practicing and reviewing content.
Below is a table outlining each stage of the lesson plan with a
brief description of its purpose and activities.

A table showing what the six-stage lesson plan looks like with a
description for each stage is provided in the next page.
 Stage Description

A brief activity to engage students and set the

tone for the lesson. This can include
Warm-Up icebreakers, discussions, or quick games to
activate prior knowledge and get students
ready to learn.

Introduce new material, such as vocabulary or

grammar concepts. Use clear explanations,
Presentation
examples, and demonstrations to ensure
students understand the content.

Controlled practice activities that reinforce the

new material. This can include worksheets,
Practice
drills, and structured exercises to help students
apply what they have learned.

Free practice activities that allow students to

use the language in real-life scenarios.
Production
Encourage creativity and fluency through role-
plays, conversations, and group projects.

Recap the lesson and clarify any doubts.

Summarize key points, answer questions, and
Review
provide additional examples to reinforce
learning.

Assign tasks to reinforce learning outside the

classroom. Homework can include reading,
Homework
writing, or practice exercises related to the
lesson's content
Want a more focused 1-on-1 session for teaching English?

Teaching English
One-on-one
You can reach out to me through my e-mail if you want to sign up for a comprehensive teaching English as
a second or foreign language masterclass.

EMAIL HERE!
 Thank you for
your purchase
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