So, you have been teaching ESL for a few months now: Classes are running smoothly, your children seem to be learning and you have fun with them. How then, can you improve your teaching when it doesn’t seem like you can? Ask yourself the questions below to find out. As you will see, there are always ways – however small they may be – in which you can improve your teaching and therefore make your time in the classroom more efficient.

• What is my approach to my students?
(Am I confident, friendly and enthusiastic, or am I too formal, tense and dull?)

• How does the class respond to me and the lesson?
(Do they participate completely, or are they passive?)

• Do I speak in natural rhythm, intonation and pronunciation or do I distort?

• Do I repeat a new pattern sufficiently?

• Do I use my hands, face, and body to convey meaning?

• Is there a good balance of choral and individual work in each lesson?

• Do I use the textbook/workbook as reinforcement, or a substitute for teaching?

• Do I correct all errors I hear in structure and pronunciation?

• Is the level of material I teach appropriate for my class?

• Do I spend an adequate length of time on pattern practice?

• Do I use concrete or illustrative material to ensure understanding or meaning or do I give too much verbal explanation?

• Is the pace of my lesson lively, too fast or dragging?

• Do I plan every lesson before meeting with the class?