Teaching is among the hardest professions, and the work teachers put into classes is often under-appreciated. This is especially true of ESL teachers, who must not only teach the curriculum, but do so with students who do not speak the language, all the while keeping the students entertained and controlling the behavior in the classroom. Add to this the necessity of making extra worksheets to bring into class and developing lesson plans, and this begins to seem like a truly tedious line of work.

However, when it comes to making ESL worksheets, it is important to remember that this does not need to be an overly time-consuming process. New teachers in the ESL field as well as more experienced can benefit from the addition of ESL worksheets in their classrooms, and these can be made in as little as ten minutes. All you need to do is the following.

First, have a clear understanding of what points will be the focus of the worksheet. Then, introduce the material clearly. If it is a grammar concept, provide examples and the grammar rule, if there is one. If you are introducing vocabulary words, provide examples of correct sentences. Finally, the worksheet should include a review or practice section in which students can test their knowledge. This may involve writing sentences, filling in the blank with vocabulary words, or correcting sentences that contain mistakes related to the target grammar (or vocabulary) point.

And that's all it takes to make an ESL worksheet!

Some teachers will note that, with their busy schedules, they simply do not have time to make several customized worksheets for the ESL classes. This is a fair point. Teachers are increasingly busy, with some taking on extra jobs just to make ends meet. Luckily, this does not mean that teachers have to cut corners in their classes. There are several free, printable ESL worksheets available online, covering everything from vocabulary and grammar to phonics and idioms. These worksheets can be a lifesaver for the busy teacher.

Even better, it is now possible to download entire eBooks full of well structured ESL worksheets. These worksheets can be downloaded, printed, and copied for use in multiple classes. Although this may not be quite as useful as developing customized worksheets for each individual class, it will certainly add to the classroom experience and make for a much more productive ESL or EFL learning environment!

There are tons of ESL worksheets available online http://www.stickyball.net, focusing on everything from writing and grammar to idioms and vocabulary. Worksheets and other supplemental materials are especially useful when teaching ESL for kids: http://www.stickyball.net. If you find a website with some really good resources, it might be worthwhile to spend a little money and subscribe or purchase more materials, as this will save you a great deal of time in the long run.