The simple truth of teaching English to beginners can be summed up perfectly by this idea:

Every journey begins with a single step.”

But let’s be honest. Teaching English to beginners is not just about teaching vocabulary and grammar. It’s about guiding learners on an incredible journey, one that takes them from complete silence to those first, thrilling attempts at communication.

I still remember my first time stepping into a classroom of absolute beginners. I was 20, in my 3rd year at UFRJ ( Federal University of Rio de Janeiro), and teaching at CLAC, the community language school at our university’s language department. I was eager, maybe a little too eager, and honestly, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. Picture this: 25 students, all at different stages—some who didn’t know a single word of English, others who had a bit of experience but lacked confidence. I thought, “How hard could it be?” Spoiler alert: harder than you’d think.

Teaching English to beginners isn’t a walk in the park as some might believe. First off, you can’t just “wing it.” Trust me, I tried. When teaching ESL to beginners, they need structure, not guesswork. Every lesson needs to be carefully planned, with clear steps and plenty of repetition. They’re starting from ground zero, or close to it, and you’re their guide on this uphill climb.

Secondly, when teaching English to beginners, patience isn’t just a virtue. It’s a necessity. Progress can be slow, and that’s fine. You’re not just teaching words; you’re building confidence, one small step at a time. And finally, you’ve got to be flexible. What works for one student might not work for another, and you need to be ready to adjust.

So, if you’re thinking about teaching ESL to beginners, you need to make sure you’re ready. It’s challenging, but it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have. And who knows? You might just find yourself falling in love with the journey, step by step.

Teaching English to Beginners: Understanding Their Diverse Needs

Before we jump into the fun stuff—strategies, activities, and all the creative ways to make English stick—it’s important to remember one thing: not all beginners are created equal. In fact, there are different “flavors” of beginners, each with their own unique needs and challenges. Let’s break it down.

Absolute beginners

These are the brave souls who are starting from scratch. Every single word and phrase is a new adventure for them. Imagine trying to navigate a foreign country without a map—yep, that’s what it feels like for them. They need a lot of support, hand-holding, and patience as they take their first steps into the world of English. These are learners that most likely fall within the A0 level of proficiency.

False Beginners

These learners might have tried to learn English before—maybe they took a class in school or studied a bit on their own—but it didn’t quite stick. Now, they’re starting over, and often, they lack confidence. The good news? With the right encouragement and a few confidence-boosting activities, they can quickly rediscover what they’ve learned (and lost) over the years.

Adult Beginners

Adults bring a lot to the table—they’re motivated, whether it’s for work, travel, or personal growth. But let’s face it, they might also feel a bit self-conscious about learning alongside younger, faster learners. The trick here is to keep them motivated and reassure them that progress, no matter how slow, is still progress.

Experienced Beginners

These learners have had some experience with English in the past. They know a little, but there’s still a long way to go. The key is to build on what they know and keep moving forward. These are learners that most likely fall within the A1 level of proficiency.

Evening Class Beginners

These are the warriors who show up to class after a long day at work. They might be tired and less focused, but they bring a wealth of life experience and a strong desire to learn. The challenge here is to keep them engaged and energized, even after a tough day.

Understanding these different types of beginners gives you a clear advantage in your teaching. It allows you to tailor your approach, making sure each student gets exactly what they need. For instance, false beginners might thrive on activities that boost their confidence, while absolute beginners will benefit from a more structured, step-by-step approach. By knowing your students, you can meet them where they are and guide them to where they want to be.

Stepping Into Their Shoes: Starting from “Hello”

As teachers, we often become comfortable with the rhythms of teaching more advanced levels, where students can engage with questions and concepts with some ease. But when you’re faced with a classroom full of absolute beginners, even a simple “Hello, my name is…” can seem like a mountain to climb. Early in my teaching career, I found myself in this exact situation. The usual methods—eliciting, concept checking, and explaining grammar—felt suddenly inadequate. How was I supposed to communicate with students who didn’t even know basic greetings?

This experience taught me the importance of starting where the students are, not where we assume they should be. When teaching complete beginners, it’s essential to recognize that even the most basic phrases, like “What’s your name?” or “How are you?” need to be explicitly taught. For many beginners, these simple exchanges are not instinctive but rather a learned skill that requires patience and repetition.

What to do in my first lessons teaching English to beginners?

I’ll never forget my first lesson with absolute beginners. I walked into the classroom feeling prepared—at least, I thought I was. I started with a casual “How are you?” and was met with blank stares. That’s when I realized that teaching ESL beginners requires a different approach, one that starts with the basics and focuses on making the language comprehensible. One of the most important lessons I learned that day was the value of comprehensible input.

Creating an effective learning environment for beginners involves several key strategies. Here are some practical tips that I’ve found particularly helpful:

Start with the basics. I believe it’s important not to assume that students will automatically understand or be able to respond to questions like “What’s your name?” without prior teaching. Introduce these phrases slowly, and provide plenty of opportunities for practice. For example, instead of beginning a class with a casual “How are you?” try starting with “My name is…” and guide students to respond appropriately. I think this step-by-step approach builds a solid foundation for future learning.

Incorporate visual aids. When teaching ESL beginners, visual aids are invaluable. A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when your students only know a few. Whether it’s showing a photo of a book instead of explaining it or using videos to illustrate a conversation, these tools help bridge the gap between understanding and language production. I’ve found that visuals can make abstract concepts much more concrete for beginners.

Demonstrate, don’t just explain. Clear, concise instructions are key. However, I think demonstration often speaks louder than words. Model activities or tasks yourself, or with a stronger student, before asking the whole class to participate. This method reduces confusion and helps students understand what’s expected of them.

Teach classroom language. If you want students to use English in the classroom, you need to equip them with the necessary language. Spend time teaching essential classroom phrases like “Can I have a pen?” or “I don’t understand.” These phrases might seem advanced for beginners, but teaching them as whole chunks, without diving into the grammar just yet, can empower students to start using English immediately. I believe this practical approach helps beginners feel more confident in their language use.

Keep it simple, but respect their maturity. It’s important to simplify language and tasks for beginners, but remember that they are adults. Choose materials that are straightforward but not childish, ensuring that your students feel respected and engaged. I think this balance between simplicity and respect is crucial when teaching ESL beginners.

Teaching absolute beginners can be daunting, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. By starting with the fundamentals, using visuals, modeling activities, and teaching practical classroom language, you’ll not only help your students learn English but also build their confidence from the very first “Hello.”

But of course, the fun doesn’t stop there! Once you’ve covered the basics, it’s time to look into some practical strategies that will keep your ESL lessons engaging and your ESL beginner students motivated. Here are some tried-and-true methods to help you navigate the sometimes bumpy, but always exciting, road of teaching English to beginners:

Practical Strategies for Teaching English to Beginners

Teaching English to beginners involves a mix of creativity, patience, and a clear understanding of the students’ needs. Here are some effective strategies to help you navigate this journey:

1. Total Physical Response (TPR): TPR involves using physical movement to help students understand and remember new language. For example, when teaching action verbs like “jump,” “run,” or “sit,” have students perform the actions as they say the words. This not only makes the learning process more engaging but also helps to reinforce the language through muscle memory.

2. Simplify your language: When teaching English to beginners, it’s crucial to use simple, clear language. Avoid idiomatic expressions or complex sentence structures that might confuse them. It’s also helpful to model what you want students to do, rather than just telling them.

3. Use lots of realia and visual aids: Objects, pictures, and real-life materials (realia) make abstract concepts more tangible for ESL beginner students. For example, when teaching vocabulary related to food, bring in actual fruits, vegetables, or packaged goods. Visual aids can also be crucial in explaining grammar concepts or new vocabulary. 

4. Focus on high-frequency vocabulary: Beginners need to learn words they will use frequently. Start with vocabulary that is essential for everyday communication, such as greetings, numbers, and common verbs like “go,” “do,” and “make.” Once they have mastered these, you can move on to more specific or complex vocabulary.

5. Break down tasks into smaller steps: Complex tasks can be overwhelming for beginners. Break them down into manageable steps and guide students through each one. For instance, if you’re teaching writing, start with sentence formation before moving on to paragraph writing. This gradual approach builds confidence and ensures students understand each step before moving on to the next.

6. Encourage speaking from day one: It’s essential to get ESL beginner students talking as soon as possible. Start with simple dialogues or role plays based on real-life situations, like ordering food in a restaurant or asking for directions. The goal is to build their confidence and get them used to producing English, even if it’s just a few words at first.

7. Regularly review and reinforce learning: Beginners need constant review to retain what they’ve learned. Use different activities to reinforce vocabulary and grammar, such as flashcards, games, or quizzes. Repetition is key, but vary the activities to keep students engaged. Apps like Duolingo or Quizlet can be great for reinforcing vocabulary and grammar outside of class. They allow beginners to practice at their own pace and can be a fun supplement to classroom learning.

8. Create a supportive environment: Beginners often feel self-conscious about their language skills. Some may display low self-esteem. So remember to cultivate a classroom atmosphere where they feel safe to make mistakes and ask questions. Praise their efforts, no matter how small, and be patient as they work through challenges.

9. Use our Fluentize beginner ESL lessons: Fluentize offers a variety of engaging beginner ESL lessons that are perfect for both teachers and students. Our ESL lessons cover a range of everyday topics that are relevant and interesting for students at the A1 level. For example, they include practical life skills, communication through technology, and travel essentials, providing real-world context that makes the learning experience both practical and enjoyable.

One standout lesson plan you could consider using is the Daily Routine ESL Lesson Plan: People Who Hate Mornings. This lesson helps students discuss their morning routines, learn relevant vocabulary, and practice using the present simple tense. When teaching English to beginners using Fluentize’s lessons, they help students learn basic English they can use effectively in real-life situations. Plus, these lessons look great and keep things interesting, which is a big win when teaching ESL to beginners!

Teaching Language Chunks to Beginners

One of the best ways of teaching English to beginners is by using language chunks. But what are language chunks, anyway? They’re like little pre-made blocks of language that students can use right away, without having to build sentences from scratch. Think of phrases like:

• “Good morning.”
• “a cup of coffee”
• “What time is it?”
• “Thank you very much.”

These are all language chunks. They make speaking easier and faster because students don’t have to figure out each word separately.

Why is this so effective? Well, teaching ESL beginners with language chunks helps them feel more confident from the start. Instead of getting stuck on grammar or individual words, they can dive right into conversations with these handy phrases. Plus, it’s a lot less stressful for them—and for you too!

Why teach language chunks?

When teaching English to beginners, the traditional method often focuses on grammar and single-word vocabulary. While this is important, it can sometimes be overwhelming for learners who are just starting. Language chunks offer an alternative by giving students ready-made pieces of language that they can use immediately in conversation. This method aligns with what’s known as the Lexical Approach, which emphasizes learning language in chunks rather than isolated words.

Language chunks help students to:

1. Communicate more naturally: By using common phrases and expressions, students sound more fluent and natural. For example, instead of struggling to piece together “I do not know,” they can use the chunk “I don’t know,” which is more natural and easier to remember.
2. Build confidence quickly: With chunks, beginners can participate in conversations right away. Being able to say “Can I have…?” or “How much is…?” helps students feel that they can handle real-life situations, even with a limited vocabulary.
3. Improve listening skills: Understanding and recognizing chunks in spoken English helps learners comprehend faster and more accurately because they start to anticipate common patterns and phrases.

How to Teach English to Beginners through Language Chunks

Now, let’s explore some practical ways to incorporate language chunks into your ESL beginner lessons.

1. Use role plays & real-life dialogues

Introduce language chunks through dialogues that mirror real-life situations. For example, create a role-play activity where students practice ordering food at a restaurant. The chunks “I’d like…” and “Can I have…?” are essential phrases that students can use in numerous scenarios.

Activity idea: Role-Play ordering food

• Provide students with a menu and ask them to order food using the chunks “I’d like…” and “Can I have…?”
• Pair students up, with one acting as the waiter and the other as the customer.
• Rotate roles and menus to practice different chunks and vocabulary.

Here’s an example:

STEP 1:

Take Student A or Student B. Do the role play.

STUDENT A: WAITER / WAITRESS

• Take Student B’s order.
• Use these words: drink – ready – eat

STUDENT B: CUSTOMER

• Look at the menu below.
• Choose a drink and meal.
• Answer Student A’s questions.

MENU:

STEP 2:

Student B finished eating. Complete the dialogue. Student B starts.

• STUDENT B: Excuse me, can…
• STUDENT A: Sure. I’ll…
• STUDENT B: It was…
• STUDENT A: It costs…
• STUDENT B: Ok, here is…
• STUDENT A: Thank you! Have…

STEP 3:

Change roles. Do the role play again.

This is an example where beginner students get to practice language chunks in a practical, real-life scenario. They also get support with the sentence starters in the dialogue.

You can find the full activity in this A1 beginner lesson plan on ordering food.

2. Highlight and practice common collocations

Collocations are pairs or groups of words that frequently occur together, such as “make a decision” or “take a break.” Or, imagine students are talking about some house chores — like “do the dishes” or “take out the trash”. Teaching these as chunks rather than as individual words helps learners use them correctly without overthinking the grammar.

Activity idea: Collocation matching game

• Create a set of cards with the first part of a collocation on one card (e.g., “make”) and the second part on another (e.g., “a decision”).
• Have students match the cards to form correct collocations.
• Once matched, encourage students to use the collocations in their sentences or dialogue practice.

Looking for an A1 beginner-level lesson plan with a role play activity on chores and collocations? Check out our lesson plan here.

3. Incorporate formulaic expressions

Formulaic expressions, such as “Nice to meet you,” “How are you?” or “See you later,” are essential for everyday conversations. These expressions are used so frequently that they become second nature to native speakers, and teaching them as chunks allows beginners to participate in social interactions immediately.

Activity idea: Self-Introductions & Daily Greetings

• Start each class with a set of greetings and responses. For example, one student says, “Good morning,” and another replies, “Good morning, how are you?”
• Rotate the greetings to include other formulaic expressions, such as “See you tomorrow” or “Have a nice day.”
• Create a scenario in which students introduce themselves, say their names, and exchange some basic information.

Check out this full A1 beginner lesson plan on self-introductions.

4. Use visual aids and realia (as mentioned before)

Visual aids and realia (real-life objects) can be very effective in teaching language chunks. For example, when teaching phrases related to shopping, you might bring in a few grocery items and ask students to use the chunk “How much is this?” or “I’m looking for…”.

Activity idea: Shopping simulation

• Set up a mock shop in your classroom with items labeled with prices.
• Give students a list of items to “buy” and have them use the chunks “How much is this?” or “I’m looking for…” to make their purchases.
• This not only reinforces the language but also makes the learning process interactive and fun.

Here’s an example. First, you’ll need to introduce students to basic phrases for shopping communication at a store:

Basic Shopping Phrases:

• Can I help you?
• What are you looking for?
• I’m just looking around.
• Let me know if you need anything.
• Could I ask for help?
• What do you need?
• I’m looking for…
• How much do they cost?

Then, once students are familiarized with these phrases, you can proceed to a shopping simulation activity.

STEP 1:

Imagine you’re at a store. What are you looking for? Choose and write a specific product.

Name of product: ____________________________ (a smartphone, a pineapple, a t-shirt, etc.)

STEP 2:

• Work with a classmate/your teacher.
• Take Student A or Student B. Do the role play. Then change roles and do it again.

STUDENT A: SHOP ASSISTANT

• You are working in the store.
• Go to the customer.
• Start a conversation. Ask and answer questions.

STUDENT B: CUSTOMER

• You are in the store.
• The shop assistant comes to you.
• Have a conversation. Ask and answer questions.

This is an effective activity to prepare beginner students for shopping in a store and enabling them to engage in basic shopping communication.

Here’s our full A1 beginner lesson plan with a shopping simulation activity.

What pitfalls should you watch out for when teaching ESL to beginners?

You’ve got your language chunks ready, and your students are starting to feel more confident—fantastic! But teaching ESL to beginners isn’t a walk in the park. I remember once packing way too much into a lesson, thinking I was helping. The result? My students were overwhelmed, and I quickly realized that less is often more.

It’s easy to fall into a few common traps when teaching English to beginners. Maybe you lean too much on their native language (L1) when things get tough, or you use materials that don’t quite fit their age or interests. These little missteps can turn a good lesson into a confusing one.

So, what should you watch out for? Let’s explore some of the biggest pitfalls and how to avoid them.

1. Overloading students with information: It’s tempting to try and teach as much as possible in a single lesson, but this can overwhelm beginners. Focus on a few key points each lesson and ensure students understand them before moving on.
2. Relying too much on L1: While using the students’ first language (L1) can be helpful in explaining complex concepts or giving instructions, over-reliance on L1 can hinder immersion in the target language. Encourage students to use English as much as possible, even if it’s just simple phrases or sentences.
3. Neglecting cultural context: Language and culture are deeply interconnected. Introduce cultural elements into your lessons to help students understand not just the language, but also the context in which it is used. This is especially important for adult learners who may need to use English in specific cultural settings.
4. Using material meant for children: While it might be tempting to use children’s songs or nursery rhymes because they’re simple, this can feel infantilizing for adult learners. Choose materials that are appropriate for their age and interests, even if they are beginners.

Teaching ESL to beginners is a wild ride, but with the right approach, it’s one worth taking. Remember, it’s not just about the language—it’s about building confidence and helping your students navigate their new world. So, grab those Fluentize lessons, and let the fun begin!