Lessons planning

 How I Prepare My English Lesson Plans

As I believe planning is the foundation of effective teaching. So it is essential to plan a lesson. As an English language teacher, I believe that a well-structured lesson plan is essential to guide my students and myself throughout the learning process. Each time I prepare a lesson, I start by identifying the competency and competency level related to my lesson and I decide my learning objectives relating to it. What I expect my students to achieve at the end of the lesson . These objectives are based on the syllabus and the specific needs and language levels of my learners. I include my learning outcomes for all the three domains named as cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domain. The affective domain is also very important because, through learning, we don't only produce a knowledgeable person but a moral citizen with sympathy and empathy. For example, if my competency level is reading and extracts specific information, my learning outcomes will be reading to read the passage and answer the questions given, read the notice and filling in the blanks given. Read the food label and find the necessary information. 

Once the goals are clear, I move on to selecting the teaching content, including grammar points, vocabulary, or language skills (reading, writing, speaking, or listening). Then I think about the most suitable teaching methods and strategies, especially in a mixed-ability classroom. There are many methods used by me, such as demonstration, lecture method, experimental, activity-based, discussions. Among them, discussion is one of the methods I use frequently, and I personally don't prefer the lecture method as I am teaching a language and in that method teachers speak and students just listen passively . So I always want to interact with my students and elicit their ideas. I include a balance of traditional work (like board work, textbook exercises) and modern techniques, such as interactive games, and multimedia content, Bluetooth speaker etc. Student engagement is a priority in my planning. I incorporate various interactive activities like pair work, group discussions, role-plays, and short writing tasks. I give them clear instructions and assess them at every stage of the lesson. Another important aspect is managing my time for the lesson. I divide more time between practice and production. I reduce the teacher's talking time when I move the lesson forward. My national college of education lectures guided me to write a good lesson plan, and now I am capable of writing an effective lesson plan quickly and implementing it. I also make sure to integrate ICT tools, which make it possible to use PowerPoint, educational apps, short videos, or audio clips, and speakers to bring the lesson to life. I have prepared visual aids like pictures, word cards to teach them new vocabulary and I have kept them in a bag in the school and I reuse them. I have posters available for different reading and grammar lessons. Whenever possible, I use realia. For example, to teach parts of a plant to my grade three students, I use an original plant and to teach them different shapes of leaves, I ask them to bring them to the classroom. When they learn, I want my children to use higher order skills such as analyzing, critical thinking etc. I provide feedback and praise my students for motivating them for learning. I give them extended work whenever possible. 

My lesson plan always includes a procedure and there are five steps. 

1. Warm-up 

2. Presentation  

3. Guided and independent practice

4 production 

5. Assessment / Feedback

6Wrap-up or reflection. 

I decide the activities for each stage of my lesson and my aim is to achieve the learning objectives at the end of the lesson. I want my students to learn individually as well as from peers. Finally, I reflect on my lesson and think about whether they are capable of using this knowledge in real life situations. This is how I plan my lessons. 

How do you plan your lessons? 

Comment your ideas below. 

Name :

Through careful planning, I aim to make my English classes meaningful, student-centered, and enjoyable. A thoughtful lesson plan not only boosts students’ learning outcomes but also gives me the confidence and direction to teach effectively.

Behind the scenes reflections 

While writing this post, I related my own experience of lesson planning. I also did some online reading to support my ideas. I reflected on my own experiences as a teacher. The hand drawn chart helped me to organize my thoughts and present my ideas. There are things to be considered when planning a lesson by the teacher as it is the most important thing. I have mentioned those things in my post.