ESL Lesson Plan: Introduction
This weeks lesson for grade 2 was focused on the topic Dinner is ready. In the previous week I thought about how I would teach the lesson, then many thoughts came to mind. I designed my ESL lesson plan around these questions by implementing different games and activities.
The presentation for the lesson was aided with videos, props (plate, knife, fork, spoon, chopsticks), PowerPoint presentation and pictures. To summarize the content, I focused on a few things: Food and drink students like, utensils used when having dinner, types of food and drink for dinner and how to ask for a meal at a restaurant.
Target Language
What do you like to eat/drink?
What is your favourite food/drink?
What’s for your dinner?
What would you like?
Tom and Jerry scene showing a sandwich
The lesson was introduced with a funny Tom and Jerry food moments video. I discovered that when a video is used in a lesson especially with characters such as Tom and Jerry or Peppa Pig students get really excited.
This is why whatever topic I am teaching I find a video that will link to the topic. I do this to ensure that while students are having fun they are learning at the same time. Students burst out into laughter while they watched the video.
At the end of the video they were able to share what were some of the food and drink they saw.
Student Centered environment
It was all about my students after I shared with them the foods and drink that I liked. I ensured the environment was prepared, guided my students and they were in control.
Firstly, I showed them pictures of different food and drink so that they could identify what they saw. I also made sure to cut the pictures of different food and drink items such as chicken, milk in the exact shape they were.
To review vocabulary, I played a guessing game with the students for them to guess what food was on the picture I held in my hand. Students were then able to share the different food and drink that they like.
To do this activity, I played the game train, train, go, go with the students so each student could share what food they like. I started with what I like by saying…I like chicken and cola. Each student then followed to say I like…Within 3 minutes the entire class was able to share what food and drink they like.
Guided question students responded to sharing what they like
The next part of the ESL lesson plan was to create a scene of a dining room at home. I ensured students identified the different food items that were on the dinner table. The students then played the role of a parent and a child asking what’s for dinner.
Students playing the role of parent and child to express what’s for dinner at home
Another activity I did was a scene of being in a restaurant. One student would pretend to be a waiter/waitress and the student who is seated around the table would be the guest in the restaurant ordering a meal.
The students were excited and all wanted to try this activity. After requesting their meal and being given by the waiter/waitress the students pretended to be having the meal by using their chopsticks, fork or spoon.
At the restaurant waiter Zee gives customer hamburger for dinner
Student using a fork to eat fish for dinner.
The lesson for grade 3 students was focused on purchasing fruit at the fruit market. The objectives of this lesson was for students to identify the different kind of fruits and learning how to express themselves when they need to purchase fruits from the fruit market.
Target language
What is your favourite fruit?
What fruit do you have?
How much are the apples/…?
A vendors table at the fruit market.
The students were informed a week before to bring a fruit to class. I printed pictures of 1 yuan, 5 yuan, 10 yuan, 20 yuan, 50 yuan, 100 yuan. This was done to give students a feeling as if they had real money to purchase fruits from the fruit market.
After identifying the different kinds of fruit that was at the market the students and I created our own pricelist. The students also worked in pairs to share what fruit they had brought to class for the lesson. Many students had apples, oranges and bananas.
To execute the lesson, students had to work in groups to ensure all could participate. After doing a demonstration with two students, the rest of the class was then prepared and ready to make their presentations of purchasing their own fruit at the market.
Class was even more fun after a few students engaged in different fruit eating challenges. The students were also able to share the different fruit they like and were also challenged to complete a fruit crossword puzzle as a team.
ESL Lesson Plan: The Results
The students and I really enjoyed both lessons. It was fun and engaging just the way learning ought to be. Using the different prop items gave the classroom a real feeling as if we were in an actual restaurant, the dining room at home having dinner and at a fruit market.
I ensured I catered to the students learning by using visual aids, auditory aids and allowing them to role play in the different scenes. I incorporated different games and transitioned from different activities to keep students active and engaged at all times.
As a teacher, my ultimate goal is to ensure that effective teaching and learning is taking place in the classroom. Hence, the reason I try my best at all times to be creative, gather resources and put my thoughts and ideas. I ensure I manage my time wisely so that I have all the materials I need for the lesson to ensure an effective teaching and learning environment.
I love to see my students having fun while they learn. The more activities, the more engaged students tend to be. I am happy that I am able to pursue my teaching career and being able to impact the lives of my students in a positive way. Are you ready for an opportunity to Teach in China so you can do the same too? Get creative with your ESL Lesson Plans. Join us today.
Author: Kedesha Douglas
Very informative and helpful