Engaging English Courses: Strategies and Experiences

By education, I am a speech therapist. This unique training enables me to work effectively with non-native speakers who wish to improve their pronunciation. This involves a detailed assessment of each client's speech, teaching them how to shape their articulators (mouth, tongue, and lips) to produce the correct sounds, and ensuring they develop muscle memory for accurate pronunciation. While I excel in pronunciation training, my approach is versatile and can also include aspects such as rate, voice projection, stress patterns, intonation, idioms, and word usage.

Adapting to Diverse Learning Needs

As an experienced educator, I have taught a multitude of English courses in high schools and universities. The key to creating an engaging and effective learning environment lies in understanding and adapting to the diverse needs of my students. Below are some strategies I employ to make my English courses both challenging and rewarding:

Understanding Student Variables

Students’ Learning Stage: Each stage of language acquisition presents unique challenges and opportunities. I tailor my lessons to the current stage of my students, ensuring they are neither overwhelmed nor under-challenged.

Students’ Learning Style: Some students are visual learners, while others learn better through hands-on activities or listening. I incorporate various teaching methods to cater to different learning styles, including diagrams, interactive activities, and auditory exercises.

Students’ Age: The age of my students is a crucial factor. For younger students, I use more interactive and playful methods, while for older students, I focus on more in-depth analysis and discussion.

Students’ Mood and Learning Environment: The atmosphere and state of mind of my students play a significant role in their learning. I strive to create a relaxed and positive environment where students feel safe to make mistakes and learn from them. Additionally, I plan my lessons with the overall mood and energy of the class in mind.

Students’ Language Skills: I evaluate the current language skills of each student and adjust my teaching methods accordingly. This ensures that the content is challenging yet achievable for each individual learner.

Students’ Access to Learning Tools: I consider the resources available to my students and adapt my lessons to incorporate accessible tools, such as online resources, textbooks, and multimedia materials.

Engaging Teaching Methods and Activities

My approach to teaching is designed to provide a well-rounded and engaging experience for my students. Below are some of the methods and activities I use:

Grammar and Sentence Diagramming: I often have students come to the board and diagram sentences. This not only reinforces grammatical concepts but also makes the learning process interactive and fun. For example, students learn about subject-verb agreement, tense usage, and prepositional phrases.

Interactive Grammar Exercises: I create sheets with sentences that students must correct using their recently learned grammar rules. This helps them apply theoretical knowledge to real-world examples, enhancing their understanding and retention.

Theme Study: We delve into the themes of the current story or book assigned. This not only improves comprehension but also fosters a deeper connection with the material. Students are encouraged to discuss their thoughts and interpretations, promoting critical thinking and literary analysis.

Role Plays and Vocabulary Practice: I incorporate activities like role plays, where students use new vocabulary words in context. This practical application of language skills enhances their ability to use words correctly in different contexts.

Personal Experiences

Retired now, I look back fondly on my time in an international school setting. My English classes were engaging, with a variety of activities compressed into the 50-minute class period:

5 minutes for going over homework to reinforce prior learning. 10 minutes for grammar exercises, using sheets I provided or faulty sentences on the board for students to correct. 20 minutes for studying themes in the assigned story or book. 5 to 10 minutes for a pop quiz to assess understanding and retention. 10 minutes for role play activities.

Each activity was designed to be enjoyable and challenging, ensuring that students remained engaged and motivated throughout the class.

Conclusion

Teaching English involves more than just delivering content; it requires understanding and adapting to the diverse needs of each student. By prioritizing the relevant variables and employing creative and engaging methods, I strive to make my English courses both rewarding and enjoyable. Whether through grammar exercises, theme studies, or role plays, my goal is to inspire a love for the language and a passion for learning.