ESL lesson plans are a necessary tool to make sure students meet performance guidelines. Written plans are also essential to help teachers prepare for the class. Some schools require that lesson plans be turned in to a department head so a substitute teacher can use your plans if you are absent. Proper lesson plans will help you be a prepared, well-organized teacher and allow your class to run smoothly when you are away.

Write the objective.
The objective is a short sentence that states what students will learn. You must be able to measure the success rate at meeting an objective, either through testing or verbal responses. For example, an objective could be: "Students will respond using future tense when asked what they will do this summer." This objective states the topic of the lesson, and the student success at achieving the objective can be measured through verbal responses.

List the key words and phrases.
These are the vocabulary words students will learn, and the phrases they will learn and comprehend. For example, in a lesson about the future tense, students may learn phrases such as "will visit grandmother," "will visit grandfather" and "will go on a trip." New words that the students will learn may include "vacation," "badminton" and "basketball."

List the materials the lesson requires.
Common materials used in lessons include workbooks, scissors, software and worksheets and pictures. Planning for the materials section will help you focus on the materials you'll need prior to the lesson.

Write the development section.
Explain the methods you'll use to instruct the students. You may explain concepts using a video or a PowerPoint presentation. Some teachers show picture flashcards, using repetition to teach new words in ESL classes.

Discuss the activities.
The activities portion makes up the bulk of the class. Explain student-centered games and hands-on activities used to practice what students learned. Writing, speaking, performing or creating projects are some typical activities. Depending on the length of the class, students may participate in two or three short activities.

Write the assessment.
The assessment section of a lesson plans details how you will assess that the students have met the learning objective. Asking verbal questions and receiving an appropriate answer, completing a written test, or completing a project correctly are all forms of assessment.

Write the lesson's closure.
Discuss how you plan to end the class. Some teachers give students a short review or ask them what they have learned.