3 tips to make your English lessons fun

Most students take learning English very seriously, and having fun lessons is not always associated with language learning. In fact, it’s not only a beginner’s fault, the same goes for intermediate and advanced students too.

You might wonder why I use the word “fault”. All students should take learning English seriously, right? Well, not exactly. You can’t expect a student to remain 100% committed throughout the whole learning process – it’s a direct path to language burnout. To prevent this from happening, you need to make your English lessons fun. Who doesn’t like to learn fun things and have fun lessons? Here are 3 juicy tips that can help you:

1. Find what your students love and do it in English.

A very simple way to make your English lessons fun is to prepare materials that they are interested in. To do this, you need to connect with the students. Try to observe what or who inspires them, and which topic are they fond of.

Focus on the things your students say, not only the mistakes they make. All this will help you to prepare fun lessons for your students. If they enjoy music, prepare a reading material about a genre or a musician they like. If they like bungee jumping, watch a documentary about extreme sports. If they love Harry Potter, listen to an audiobook with them and stop it from time to time to discuss the current plot. Be creative!

You can also encourage your students to browse the internet themselves. YouTube is a fantastic source for learning English as there are heaps of videos made by professional teachers and by English language enthusiasts. Here you can learn about the best quality channels for English learners.

2. Play games in English.

Playing games is by far the best way to engage students to use English in an active way, rather than a passive one. It’s a brilliant feeling when students get competitive and into a game because that’s your goal – to make them interested and to make them use English.

What should you remember when preparing fun lessons with games? Try to make the game easy – but not too easy! Make sure the rules are clear and the games suit the level of your students. If possible, try to incorporate physical movement into the game – which is especially helpful with children, but not only. If you read this article, you will see how physical activity activates your students’ brains and improves their ability to remember things. So, maybe take lessons outside for some fresh air and space?

If you are looking for ideas for games, try Pinterest – just type “English game” or “English speaking” to find inspiration.

3. Don’t be too strict.

Last but not least – try not to be a strict teacher. Easier said than done, right? A teacher is supposed to motivate and supervise the students, so they don’t fall behind their potential. Well, the trick is to use positive motivation to make your lessons fun. Stress and anxiety are by no means sources of motivation – on the contrary, they impede the learning process.

Try to prepare as many fun lessons as possible in addition to your regular lessons. Even during your regular classes, make sure not only to correct the mistakes but also praise the students if they do something well or show effort.

Don’t correct each and every mistake during speaking activities, as it might make some students feel bad about their speaking – try to focus on the gravest mistakes. Always remind your students that making a mistake is not the end of the world and that there is always room for improvement. With such professional and fun lessons, your students will study willingly even after your classes!

Now you are prepared to be a great teacher who prepares amazing, fun lessons! Remember that fun isn’t contradictory to effective – these two concepts are closer than you might think. With the help of the tips listed above, your students will not only love your classes, but in addition, they will be curious to discover English. After all, enjoyment is the best incentive for learning!

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Written by maru_translates
Edited by Jennifer Gardner