Teaching English as a second language (ESL) to Haitian students can be both extremely rewarding and challenging. Cultural differences and the general lack of equipment or resources require you to adapt your teaching methods to properly fulfill the needs of your students. By planning your lessons carefully and organizing appropriate activities, you greatly will assist your students in improving their English skills.

Prepare a detailed lesson plan before each lesson. Lesson plans should contain the list of activities that will take place during each teaching session, along with the time allocated to each of them. Always try to plan extra activities. Running out of ideas during a lesson will be unpleasant, both for you and your students.

Warm up before lessons with activities such as quick games or discussions. This allows your students to loosen up and start talking.

Present the grammar point or the vocabulary you wish to teach. Use examples or situations to which Haitian students can relate in your instruction.

Allow your students to practice the newly taught vocabulary or grammar point. You can do this by doing a role-play activity, a game or by handing out worksheets. Not every school in Haiti has computers or printers, however, so you may have to design and copy your own material.

Be mindful of the Haitian culture. Most Haitians are Catholic, so be cautious with potentially provocative topics such as sex, abortion or homosexuality. You might also be very cautious in talking about Voodoo, since many Haitians, especially in rural areas, practice this religion, sometimes in addition to Catholicism.