Anyone can stand at a podium or sit at a desk and dispense ESL grammar rules, but a good teacher is one who knows how to help students process that information and walk away with the practical skill of communicating in English. Learning-Theories.com notes that, according to cognitive principles, "The learner is viewed as an information processor (like a computer)," and ESL teachers need to understand how that processor works. Thinking of their students as information processors, ESL instructors can apply the principles of cognition to come up with innovative and effective teaching ideas.

Don't interfere too much in the language-acquisition process, and don't force students to learn using a method with which they do not feel comfortable. Instead of forcing second language learning on the student in an uncomfortable way, start with providing more instances in which the child can hear, see and pick up the language naturally. According to the Spring International Language Center, the first cognitive principle of ESL is that students acquire language naturally and the second is that meaningful, not rote, learning offers the best English instruction. Supplemental materials, like books and computer programs, can be helpful for people learning two languages, but forcing a student to learn English in an uncomfortable way can have negative results.

Encourage students to become motivated and aware of their own learning. Praise students or offer rewards, like stickers or candy, when students do well, and help them to isolate the study/language skills that they used to help them achieve successful results so that they may be replicated.

Create a comfortable learning environment to help students build and maintain confidence. If students feel uncomfortable when they are learning, they will not process information and will not be as eager to internalize it. When they feel comfortable and confident, though, they are more likely to participate in their educations and become motivated to learn.

Encourage students to be independent learners by helping them to recognize their mistakes and where they come from. According to the Spring International Language Center, many students make mistakes based on the grammar rules of their native language. Helping students to identify these can turn them into independent learners who can correct and learn from their own errors.

Tip: According to the Spring International Language Center, the link between a language and the culture in which that language is spoken is strong. Students will better process grammar and linguistic rules if they understand components of the culture.