10 Tips for Newly Qualified ESL/TEFL teachers

Tips for newly qualified ESL/TEFL teachers

Here, you’ll find some great tips for newly qualified ESL/TEFL teachers. Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed your TEFL teaching course and are about to enter your first classroom. Standing in front of a class for the first time can be daunting for new teachers, but we hope the tips below will calm your nerves and help you prepare.

You will make mistakes—even the best teachers do. Learn from them and move on. Mistakes are your greatest teacher. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when starting; consult fellow teachers for ideas on how to teach particular language points or handle difficulties in the classroom. The staff room is full of experienced teachers—use it to your advantage!

2. Be adaptable:

Stick to your lesson objectives, but be flexible in how you achieve them. It’s essential to plan, but equally important to prepare for contingencies. Ask yourself: How will I adapt if only a few students show up? What if the activity is too easy or too difficult? Preparing for variables ensures you’re equipped for any last-minute changes.

At the beginning of your course, establish classroom expectations around participation, behaviour, and learning goals. Clear guidelines ensure that students know what’s expected of them, which helps you maintain a productive and positive learning environment.

4. Bring your personality into the classroom:

Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Letting students get to know your personality helps build rapport and makes the learning environment more comfortable. Authenticity fosters connection, so enjoy the experience and let your enthusiasm show.

4. Use humour and make it fun (while keeping the learning objectives in mind):

Who says learning can’t be enjoyable? Injecting humour and light-hearted activities can make the classroom atmosphere more engaging. Just be sure to tie the fun back to the learning objectives, so students stay focused on the goals.

5. Let your students speak:

New teachers often make the mistake of talking too much. Give students time to think, process, and respond. Don’t jump in with answers too quickly. Encourage students to take the lead in discussions and activities, providing prompts as needed. The more they speak, the more confident they will become.

6. Keep your instructions short and to the point:

Another common mistake made by new teachers is giving instructions to tasks that are too long and complicated, with language that is too difficult for the class level. A useful tip is to write down exactly what you will say to the class when explaining each task. Break it down into stages, and decide when you will say each part. Often teachers will overload the students with information by giving all of the instructions at once, leaving students completely lost. You can always ask students to repeat instructions or explain back to you what they must do in order to check that they have understood what they need to do. Remember to also speak slowly and clearly, making sure you don’t mumble your words.

7. Don’t take feedback personally:

You will have good days and bad days in teaching. Don’t beat yourself up too much, and try not to take feedback from students or academic directors too personally. Instead, welcome their feedback, make sure you understand it and don’t be afraid to ask for further explanation or advice on particular issues. Assess the value of the feedback for yourself, take it on board for future lessons, and test out any ideas/tips given. Reflect on how effective your lessons were before and after the feedback was given. Remember, you can always ask your students what they like or dislike about your lessons and which activities they find the most effective. The more you know about your students’ learning styles the better you can tailor your lessons to suit their needs.

8. Start off by sitting down:

If you’re feeling particularly nervous about standing up in front of a class, why not try starting off by giving instructions while sitting down? This technique will not only calm your nerves but also those of your students. Bringing yourself to their level can be less intimidating and make students feel more comfortable participating in classroom activities.

9. Take care of yourself:

Teaching is an incredibly rewarding profession but it can also be exhausting. Avoid burnout by taking time for yourself outside of work. Schedule time to relax and recharge, whether it’s doing exercise, socialising, or pursuing a hobby. Remember, you can’t give your best to your students if you’re running on empty.

10. Try out our Free ESL Materials!

We design high-quality, ESL materials for busy teachers who want to teach engaging and effective lessons. We have 100+ FREE Sample Materials available for you to download now.

Bonus Tips for Newly Qualified ESL/TEFL Teachers:

Familiarise yourself with digital tools that can enhance your lessons. Interactive presentation tools, online quizzes, and language learning apps can make lessons more engaging and dynamic. Technology is also great for offering students resources to explore outside of class.

Encourage students to view mistakes as opportunities for growth. By focusing on progress rather than perfection, you’ll help them build confidence and stay motivated.

Incorporate pair or group activities to encourage communication and collaboration. Meaningful discussions engage students and allow them to practise real-world language skills in a supportive setting.

Tailor lessons to real-life situations your students might face. Whether in work or social settings, practical language use keeps lessons engaging and applicable to their needs.

Being organised will help you and your students stay focused. Consistent routines and clear objectives create stability in the classroom, reducing confusion and ensuring smoother lessons.

We hope these tips help you on your teaching journey!

Do you have any more tips for newly qualified ESL/TEFL teachers to add to this list? We would love to hear them! Please share your tips in the comments section below to help other teachers.

Happy teaching!