TESOL Teachers - How to Keep Your Students Attention

Number 1 Stay Calm

Nothing excites children more than seeing the teacher excited. It's only natural. You, as the teacher, are their leader and when you display excited energy, positive or negative, it rubs off on them.

Whether you are angry or a student is angry or misbehaving it is your job to play the role of the adult and remain rational. Do not let your emotions get carried away. The students will recognize this civil behavior and may begin to practice it in the classroom, giving you a a more harmonious environment.

Number 2 Be Prepared

Preparation is the key to successfully obtaining young students' attention. When you come to your class with a lesson plan prepared you are better able to control your class. Organization means less time fumbling around and trying to figure out what to do next. You will always know what is next if you have planned ahead of time. It is nearly impossible to plan for a class while you are teaching it. Planning ahead saves you time and headache. When you are organized you will be able to keep your students on task. This in turn, helps you to maintain their attention and an overall organization throughout the classroom.

Number 3 Be Aware

Paying attention to your students shows that you care. If they hurt themselves, if there is an argument between students, if they have good news to share or any other everyday occurrence, it should be addressed. When the students are comfortable around you they also begin to trust and respect you. Thus, they are more willing to listen when you ask it of them.

Number 4 You Are The Conductor, Keep Moving

It is true that children are little balls of energy and teaching them can be tiring yet fulfilling at the same time.

Body language can play a large role in your teaching methods with young learners. It is especially interesting to notice that when you stop moving and talking the children feel it is necessary to start moving and talking. If you point to the board, objects, etc. when teaching it helps them focus more on what you are saying. You are keeping their eyes from wandering. As a result, they absorb more information the first time you say it instead of you having to repeat it many times.

If you have read this far you are probably genuinely interested in improving your teaching techniques and classroom management. Of course, there are many other ways to get your students to focus during class but these listed may give you a kick start with creating the type of classroom environment that you desire. So, sit back, relax and remind yourself over and again that you are a good teacher.

Brandy Rath, TESOL teacher has been teaching ESL for two and a half years. Over two of these years have been overseas in Seoul, South Korea. She has taught children and adults ranging in ages four to 65. She says, "It's a great feeling knowing you've helped make a positive difference in the lives of others."