Learn how to teach English and build a rewarding career with 8 Essential Steps

The global demand for English language skills continues to create exciting opportunities for educators worldwide. If you want to learn how to teach english, you are embarking on a journey that is both professionally rewarding and personally enriching.

According to Wikipédia Report, English is officially recognized or used in instruction in over 88 countries, highlighting its immense global footprint.

This guide is designed to provide a clear, structured path for anyone who wants to learn how to teach english, whether you aspire to teach online, in a local classroom, or abroad.

We will walk through the eight essential steps that transform a passionate English speaker into a skilled and effective English teacher.

The process to learn how to teach english involves more than just knowing the language, it requires a specific set of pedagogical skills, cultural sensitivity, and a deep understanding of how people learn.

It is about breaking down a complex system into digestible parts and guiding students toward confidence and fluency.

From obtaining the right qualifications to planning your first lesson and managing a classroom, this article will cover the foundational knowledge you need to build a solid and successful teaching practice.

Understand the core principles of language teaching

Before you dive into lesson plans and activities, it is crucial to build a strong theoretical foundation. Understanding how people acquire a second language will inform every decision you make in the classroom and is the first step to learn how to teach english effectively.

Key methodologies in ESL instruction

Over the years, various teaching methodologies have emerged, each with its own strengths. While modern teaching often uses a blended approach, knowing these core methods is vital.

1. The communicative approach: This is the most prevalent methodology today. It prioritizes interaction as both the means and the ultimate goal of learning. The focus is on having students communicate real meaning, which often means that fluency is valued over absolute accuracy in the early stages.
2. Task based learning: In this approach, learning revolves around the completion of meaningful tasks, such as planning a trip or solving a problem. Students use the language they have to complete the task, and the teacher provides support and feedback along the way.
3. The audio lingual method: This older method emphasizes habit formation through repetition and drills. While it is less favored as a primary method now, its techniques can be useful for practicing specific pronunciation points or grammatical structures.

Familiarizing yourself with these approaches will help you learn how to teach english with a versatile and informed style.

The importance of student centered learning

The traditional model of a teacher lecturing at the front of the class is fading. Modern best practices for those who want to learn how to teach english emphasize a student centered classroom.

This means the teacher acts as a facilitator or guide, and students are active participants in their learning journey. This involves creating lessons that are relevant to students’ lives, giving them choices in their learning, and encouraging collaboration.

A student centered approach increases motivation and makes the learning process more engaging and effective for everyone involved.

Get qualified with a TEFL or TESOL certification

While it is possible to find some teaching jobs without formal qualifications, a certification is the most reliable way to build your skills and your resume. For anyone serious about wanting to learn how to teach english, a TEFL or TESOL course is an essential investment.

Choosing the right certification course

TEFL and TESOL are often used interchangeably, but they generally refer to certifications for teaching English to non-native speakers. When choosing a course, look for a few key features.

• At least 120 hours of instruction: This is the industry standard for most reputable employers.
• A practical component: The best courses include observed teaching practice (OTP) with real students, which is invaluable for building confidence.
• Accreditation: Ensure the course is accredited by an independent recognized body in the field.

Reputable organizations like Cambridge English or the International TEFL Academy provide well-regarded certificates that are recognized globally. This certification is a critical step to learn how to teach english with authority and professionalism.

What you will learn in a certification course

A comprehensive TEFL course will provide you with the practical toolkit you need. The curriculum is designed to help you learn how to teach english in a structured way, covering essential topics like.

• Lesson planning and staging: How to structure a lesson from warm up to conclusion.
• Teaching grammar and vocabulary: Techniques for presenting and practicing new language.
• Classroom management: Strategies for creating a positive and productive learning environment.
• Error correction: How to give feedback that is helpful and not discouraging.

Completing a good certification course will leave you feeling prepared and ready to step into your own classroom, whether it is physical or virtual.

Master the art of lesson planning

A well-structured lesson plan is your roadmap to a successful class. It is your blueprint for ensuring that learning objectives are met and that class time is used effectively. To truly learn how to teach english, you must become proficient at planning.

The essential components of a lesson plan

Every effective lesson plan contains key stages that guide both the teacher and the students through the learning process.

1. Goal and objectives: What will your students be able to do by the end of the lesson that they couldn’t do before.
2. Materials: What you need, such as whiteboard, handouts, or audio clips.
3. Warmer: A short, engaging activity to get students thinking in English and set the tone for the lesson.
4. Presentation: Introducing the new language, be it grammar, vocabulary, or a functional phrase, in a clear and contextualized way.
5. Practice: Controlled activities where students use the new language with guidance, such as drills or gap fills.
6. Production: A freer activity where students use the new language more creatively and spontaneously, like a role play or discussion.
7. Cool down and review: A final activity to wrap up the lesson and consolidate what was learned.

Following this structure provides a balanced lesson that introduces, practices, and activates new language, which is a core skill when you learn how to teach english.

Using the pomodoro technique for planning efficiency

Lesson planning can be time consuming for new teachers. Using a productivity tool like the Focary Pomodoro Timer can help you stay focused and avoid burnout.

1. Set a timer for 25 minutes and focus solely on outlining your lesson goal and main activities.
2. Take a 5 minute break to stretch and clear your mind.
3. Start another 25 minute session to flesh out the details and prepare your materials.
4. After a few sessions, your lesson plan will be complete without feeling overwhelmed.

This focused approach helps you work efficiently, a crucial habit to develop as you learn how to teach english and manage your preparation time.

Develop techniques for teaching core skills

English teaching is often broken down into four core skills, listening, speaking, reading, and writing. A good teacher knows how to create lessons that develop all of these areas in an integrated way.

Teaching speaking and listening

These are known as the productive and receptive oral skills. The key is to create a classroom environment where students feel safe to speak and are exposed to authentic listening inputs.

To encourage speaking, use pair work and group work to reduce the pressure of speaking in front of the whole class.

Design activities that have a real communicative purpose, like information gap activities where students have to talk to each other to find missing information. For listening, use a variety of materials, from podcasts and songs to movie clips.

Teach listening sub skills, like listening for gist or for specific details, rather than just playing an audio track and asking students to understand every word.

Teaching reading and writing

These are the productive and receptive literacy skills. The principles are similar to teaching the oral skills.

For reading, choose texts that are engaging and at the right level for your students. Teach strategies like skimming for the main idea and scanning for specific information. For writing, move from controlled practice, like sentence formation, to guided and then free writing. Make writing tasks meaningful, such as writing an email to a friend or a review for a product. Providing clear models and constructive feedback is essential to help students learn how to teach english literacy skills effectively.

Build a toolkit of engaging activities and games

Learning should be fun. A variety of activities keeps students motivated and caters to different learning styles. As you learn how to teach english, building a repertoire of go to activities is a must.

Low preparation activities for any classroom

You do not always need elaborate materials to run an effective class. Some of the best activities are simple and require little to no preparation.

• Two truths and a lie: A classic game perfect for practicing question forms and getting to know each other.
• Word race: Divide the class into teams and have them race to write as many words as they can from a category on the board.
• Role play: Give students a scenario, like ordering food in a restaurant or complaining about a faulty product, and have them act it out.

These activities can be used as warmers, fillers, or main production activities, and they bring energy and interaction into the classroom.

Using technology and digital resources

Incorporating technology can make your lessons more dynamic and relevant. Use online quizzes like Kahoot for a fun review game.

Show short video clips from YouTube as a prompt for discussion or listening comprehension. Use digital whiteboards for collaborative brainstorming.

The key is to use technology to enhance learning, not just for its own sake. Learning to leverage these tools is a modern part of the process to learn how to teach english effectively.

Cultivate effective classroom management skills

Classroom management is about creating an environment where learning can thrive. It involves establishing rapport, setting clear expectations, and managing student behavior positively.

Setting the tone from day one

The first lesson sets the precedent for the rest of your course. Start by learning students’ names and showing genuine interest in them. Co create a set of classroom rules with your students, which gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility.

Establish clear routines for how class begins, how materials are distributed, and how questions are asked. A predictable and respectful environment helps students feel secure and ready to learn, which is a fundamental aspect of how to teach english successfully.

Managing different classroom dynamics

You will encounter a variety of classroom situations, from large groups of teenagers to one on one business classes with adults. The ability to adapt is key.

For larger classes, use clear signals to get everyone’s attention and use group work to ensure everyone gets a chance to participate.

For one on one classes, tailor the lessons intensely to the individual student’s goals and interests. For mixed ability classes, learn to differentiate your tasks, providing extra support for some and extension activities for others. Developing this flexibility is a critical part of your journey to learn how to teach english to anyone, anywhere.

The path to learn how to teach english is a continuous process of learning, practicing, and refining your craft. It begins with a solid foundation in teaching methodology and a recognized certification, which provides you with the essential tools and confidence.

From there, mastering lesson planning, developing a rich toolkit of activities, and honing your classroom management skills will allow you to create a positive and productive learning environment for your students.

Remember that the best teachers are also lifelong learners who reflect on their practice and adapt to their students’ needs.

Use tools like the Focary Pomodoro Timer to manage your preparation time effectively, ensuring you remain focused and avoid burnout. Embrace the challenges and celebrate the successes, as you build a rewarding career empowering others through the English language.