Adult ESL is taught best through a lot of games and interactive instruction is. If you are looking for fun, but good resources to give you ideas, prolingua is a great place to start.

You must be able to engage your students. Extroverted teachers may have an easier time doing this. That’s not to say introverted people can’t be great teachers.

I taught for 9 years before becoming an administrator. I’m pretty extroverted, and I had to keep myself in check so I didn’t dominate the class. Introverted teachers run the opposite risk. It may be difficult for them to take over the class when necessary.

It comes down to knowing your strengths and weaknesses as a teacher. Self-awareness and honesty will allow you to work on the weaknesses in your game. If you think you aren’t going to be able to hold the interest of your students, then go observe teacher for whom this is a strength. Develop a relationship with a mentor. No teacher is truly alone. And whether you’ve been teaching for a year or a career, there is still room to get better. Utilize all of the resources around you.

A wise teacher once said, “They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” If your students know you care about them, and you know your stuff, you have the two basic ingredients to be a good teacher. There are other necessary skills, but if you have those first two, you can learn the others.

As a corporate trainer I too am quite shy and reserved but when I have to get up in front of a class where all the participants in my courses already have collage diplomas I am always nervous. When I started training I was given some advice by one of my collage profs, “The course participants want you to succeed just as much as you want to, they are on your side!” I’ve taken that advice into every course I’ve taught. Try a little light humour for an ice breaker, I’ve been know to show Power Points showing strange wording of signs or unsafe conditions after my introduction where I give my qualifications (but don’t overdo it). Another ice breaker that I use is to teach a simple origami creation.

Teaching is never easy–ESL is more difficult, because of the different languages that can be present in one room!

My advice is to involve students with each other–give them buddies or groups, with challenges or activities that they need to use each other to complete(cooperative learning). This way it is fun and challenging–and rather than being the TEACHER in big capital letters, you can be the facilitator. This way you can be very involved with your students, while working with small groups at one time may allow you to feel more comfortable!!!

Good Luck! I teach ESL students all the time–and I know it can be difficult, but it is also rewardin and extremely commendable!

I think as long as you are a good, organized, persistent teacher that is motivated by success that your students will appreciate that more. Its good to have fun in the classroom but it should not be your main priority you’re teaching adults not kindergartners.

NO! I am a teacher. Not an actor, a ring leader, or some side-show at the circus.

Do you consider that you are there to educate or to entertain? It seems to me that you may be better off as a thespian, rather than a teacher.

welll i have totally 9 teachers .8 of them never cares that they r boring