Reading texts and sequentially completing exercises in a textbook no longer sparks interest among students. And memorizing word flashcards is not only ineffective but also a boring pastime. Following such a rigid approach, time seems to drag on endlessly, and students may feel as if the lesson will never end.

To address this issue, we’ve prepared practical recommendations aimed at injecting new life and excitement into language lessons. By implementing these strategies, your lessons will gradually become more dynamic and engaging, making study time fly by for your students.

7 Components of an Engaging Lesson

Let’s delve into the essential elements of a captivating foreign language lesson. It’s crucial to note that while these components may not be directly linked to language or teaching methodology, they undoubtedly yield the desired results. Attitude plays a significant role in problem-solving—consider that your mindset accounts for half the solution. Reflect on your least favorite school subject and your performance in it. However, if students view your classes as enjoyable and beneficial, the language will inevitably become an integral part of their lives, perhaps even a hobby.

Variety

Planning lessons consumes considerable time and effort. Therefore, it’s not uncommon for some teachers to avoid weekly routines by devising year-long course plans. However, such extensive planning may have drawbacks. Students may soon notice that all lessons follow a predictable pattern. Consider whether you’d enjoy reading the same book or vacationing in the same place every year. How can you diversify the usual routine?

Interesting ideas:

• Listening exercises based on movie trailers
• Book and discussion clubs
• Students voicing scenes from movies using learned grammar or vocabulary
• Conducting interviews with a favorite music band using prepared questions

A Lesson Is Not a Monologue, but a Discussion

You’re likely familiar with the feeling of drowsiness from your university days when professors delivered monologues on topics seemingly irrelevant to your interests. It’s essential to provide practical applications here and now to keep students engaged. While there are countless explanations of English grammar rules online, only you can convey them to your students in a memorable manner.

Any topic can pique students’ interest if you:

• Pose questions
• Provide real-life examples
• Utilize illustrations
• Organize debates
• Solicit students’ opinions

Attention

Irrespective of group size, knowing each participant’s name is essential. Students must feel supported and acknowledged by the teacher. Show genuine interest and remember key details about your students. Recognize who in the group is outspoken and who prefers to remain unnoticed. Pay attention to minor details that may become vital components of your teaching style.

This is particularly important when acquainting yourself with new students. Your sincerity and willingness to assist will inevitably earn students’ favor and trust.

Humor

Learning a foreign language is challenging, making positivity crucial for achieving goals. Laughter not only prolongs life but also adds levity to any task. After all, learning English isn’t akin to nuclear physics. Present amusing examples of incorrect grammar or word usage to provide a brief distraction and allow students to relax.

Share your humorous mistakes while learning English; it vividly illustrates that making errors is not the end of the world.

Game Format

Games offer another avenue to infuse optimism and elevate mood during lessons. Don’t doubt that adults enjoy lightheartedness and entertainment. It’s essential to select games that meet specific criteria.

To choose the right gaming activity, consider:

• Students’ proficiency levels
• Age
• Interests
• Lesson theme
• Lesson objectives

Thus, if you aim to reinforce new vocabulary in speech, silent hide-and-seek is unlikely to be the best choice. All exercises should align with the lesson objectives to yield satisfying results.

Lesson Dynamism

If your group frequently watches the clock with anticipation, they’re likely bored. Despite preparing engaging tasks requiring patience and concentration, mental fatigue is inevitable. To prevent learning from becoming burdensome and seemingly futile, shift focus every 10-15 minutes.

Introduce dynamic exercises where students aren’t confined to silent textbook reading for extended periods. Replace lengthy audio assignments with thematic video clips from movies or commercials. This approach will maintain student engagement and enthusiasm.

Positive Feedback

Many of us likely had teachers in school whom we hesitated to approach unnecessarily. Consequently, even adult students may fear making mistakes, having been chastised for them previously. To become a beloved teacher who receives recommendations and holiday greetings, adopt a different approach. Praise your students and observe their progress attentively.

Acknowledge even the smallest improvements in speech or reading. However, ensure that compliments are relevant and meaningful.

Yet, it’s not enough. The primary goal of teachers is to aid students’ development. Therefore, don’t hesitate to identify areas where students can improve. Only then will your feedback be genuinely beneficial.

Conclusion

An engaging English lesson entails a lengthy list of considerations to adhere to before and during the session. Introduce new techniques gradually into your standard lessons to gauge students’ reactions and avoid overwhelming them. Always seek and value their opinions, asking about their favorite aspects of the lesson. Be prepared to hear the truth — it will enable you to refine your teaching further. For teachers, the same adage applies as for students: “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.”