When I started teaching beginners, I was terrible. I'd over-explain and tell rather than show. The result was a lot of puzzled faces looking back at me.
I've taught a lot of beginners since then, refining my own material as I go. What helps, I've discovered, is simplicity. Teachers need a straightforward method to get learners speaking ASAP, and learners need clear, easy-to-understand material.
Finally, I've put some of my lessons together into a no-nonsense, twenty-lesson PDF pack. It's not the most glamourous! But, it might just be the most easy-to-use set of beginner lessons around.
Designed to open and teach, this set of twenty simple and effective worksheets are ideal for new teachers looking for ready-made, step-by-step beginner material for adults.
They’ll save you lots of prep time, too.
The focus is on speaking and functional language, useful for everyday English. There's minimal prep required, and no need to wade through scores of teacher notes just to piece a single lesson together.
Instead, most lessons start with listen and repeat, so you can get students saying chunks of useful language quickly and simply.
Who the worksheets are for
Who are these worksheets for and how do you use them?
Since they are in PDF, you can screen share online or print for in-person use. They work well for both individuals or groups and are intended for teens or adults.
We’ve included a short how-to-use guide with the worksheets, which includes links to three short training videos so you can understand how best to use them, illustrating some key techniques, such as drilling (getting students to repeat with correct pronunciation).
For those looking for some extra videos, worksheets, or exercises, the pack also includes an index of optional supplementary links for consolidation and extension.
Do they work in real life?
Teacher Judith Dyson thinks so:
Do they work in real life?
'We have been using the beginner online worksheets with our group of 3 Brazilian women (online) and they have been so useful. You really can just click and go with them - they are that easy.
The topics have all been relevant to the beginners and have helped them in their everyday life situations. For example, we had just used the one about giving contact details and one of the women had to ring 111 and was asked for her name, address, and phone number, so she was able to do this clearly because we had covered it in the lesson.
They are a great mix of reading, listening, writing, grammar and vocabulary...they sparked off more conversation and made for fun and interesting lessons.'
Sound great? Here's what to do next:
See Louisa showing how to introduce one of the worksheets below.
For more beginner-lesson inspiration, see our beginner TEFL lesson ideas. Get your English to beginners 20 lesson pack for only £20 >>