How Do You Structure an English Lesson? TEFL Lesson Planning Tips - S01E09

How should you structure an English lesson — and what should happen from the moment students walk into the classroom to the final speaking activity?In this episode of How to English TEFL Podcast with Gav & Em, we explore a classic approach to English lesson structure for TEFL, TESOL and ESL teachers, while also looking at the lesson from the student’s perspective. We discuss how teachers can balance careful planning with flexibility and make sure lessons reflect what learners actually need.We take you through the stages of a lesson, including warm-ups and icebreakers, lead-ins, eliciting students’ existing knowledge, presenting useful language, controlled practice and activation. Using a lesson on telephone English as an example, we look at listening activities, gap fills, authentic language and ways to keep teaching materials relevant to real life.And then comes the “apex of the learning mountain” — activation! We discuss why role-plays can help learners turn passive vocabulary into language they can actually use, plus alternatives for students who need a greater challenge.Whether you’re a new English teacher looking for lesson-planning ideas, an experienced ELT professional comparing teaching approaches, or an English learner wondering what makes a good language lesson, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can take into your next class.☕ Support How to English with Gav & Em:ko-fi.com/howtoenglishpodTopics: English lesson structure, TEFL lesson planning, TESOL, ESL teaching, English teaching methods, lesson stages, warm-up activities, lead-ins, eliciting, controlled practice, language activation, role-play, speaking activities, student-centred teaching, teaching English as a foreign language.TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – What makes a well-structured English lesson?03:00 – Should teachers plan everything in advance?05:00 – How do you choose materials for an English lesson?07:00 – How do you keep English lessons relevant to real life?09:00 – What should you do at the beginning of a lesson?11:00 – Who decides what students need to learn?13:00 – How do you introduce and practise new language?15:00 – How can you support How to English?16:00 – How do students activate new language?17:00 – Do students actually like role-plays?18:00 – How do you turn passive English into active English?20:00 – What can you do instead of role-play?22:00 – Should teachers give students conversation questions?24:00 – Is there only one correct lesson structure?🎧 Perfect for English teachers, TEFL and TESOL trainees, ESL teachers, language learners and anyone interested in English teaching methodology.