How to Plan Better English Lessons | TEFL Lesson Planning & Teaching Tips for ESL Teachers - S01E03

How do experienced English teachers plan lessons that actually work?In this episode of How to English with Gav & Em, we discuss practical lesson planning strategies for English language teachers, TEFL teachers, ESL tutors, and anyone teaching English as a foreign language.Topics include:How to plan an effective English lessonCourse planning for long-term student progressSetting realistic learning goalsTeacher-led vs student-led learningTest-Teach-Test and communicative teachingUsing coursebooks without relying on them completelyPlanning grammar and vocabulary lessonsOrganic teaching (Dogme) vs structured lesson planningAdapting lessons to student needsAvoiding over-planning while staying preparedBuilding confidence as a new English teacherWhether you're a new TEFL teacher or an experienced ESL professional looking for fresh ideas, this episode shares real classroom experiences, practical advice, and honest discussion about what actually works.🎙️ Subscribe for weekly English teaching conversations, classroom ideas, and professional development.What is lesson planning in English language teaching?Lesson planning is the process of deciding learning objectives, activities, language focus, and practice opportunities before teaching a class.Why is lesson planning important?Good lesson planning helps teachers organise activities, anticipate student needs, manage classroom time, and keep lessons focused on learning goals.Should English teachers always follow the coursebook?No. The discussion suggests teachers should use coursebooks as resources while adapting activities to match students' existing knowledge and learning needs.What is Test-Teach-Test?Test-Teach-Test is a teaching approach where students first demonstrate what they already know, teachers address gaps in knowledge, and students then practise the new language. It is discussed as one possible lesson structure in the episode.What is Dogme teaching?Dogme is a communicative teaching approach that builds lessons around conversations and language that emerge naturally rather than following a fixed lesson plan. The episode explores this as an alternative planning style.How much time should teachers spend planning?The podcast notes that new teachers often spend many hours planning a single lesson, while experienced teachers gradually become more efficient by reusing and refining materials.How can teachers personalise lessons?By identifying what students already know, responding to their errors, and adapting lesson content rather than teaching every page of a textbook in order.References:English File, Third Edition, Oxford University Press, (2013)Cutting Edge, Pearson Education Limited, (2014)Dogme, Scott Thornbury: https://scottthornbury.wordpress.com/2010/02/28/d-is-for-dogme/Royal Family picture: www.townandcountrymag.comTimestamps00:00 Introduction01:10 Why lesson planning matters03:15 Teacher goals vs student goals06:20 Using coursebooks effectively10:00 Planning grammar lessons15:00 Communicative teaching and Dogme21:30 Test–Teach–Test explained27:00 Planning an English course33:00 Managing planning time38:00 Advice for new English teachers