An English as a Second Language (ESL) lesson plan is the same as any lesson plan. It provides a guideline for a day's study or for a longer, more complicated lesson that helps the teacher stay on track and make sure she is teaching to the desired objective. In an ESL classroom the lesson plan helps teachers keep to the objective of teaching English to non-English speaking students.

Instructions

1

Write the objective of your lesson. For an ESL class this would be some aspect of teaching English to a non-English speaking student, such as "student will learn to fill out personal information on a job application" or "student will learn to conjugate the verb to be."

2

Make a list of materials needed. Start your list with any worksheets and other materials you know you'll use for this lesson and add to it as you write your actual lesson plan. In the case of a lesson plan with the objective of teaching students to fill out the personal information on a job application, your materials list might include a worksheet, note cards and actual job application forms.

3

Develop a five-minute opening or review exercise. This signals to students that class has started and gets them in the rhythm of learning. Consider having a short assignment written on the board for students to do when they arrive in class. Schedule time, after the opening, to introduce that day's lesson.

4

Write the main part of the lesson, step-by-step. Give a time estimate for each step to help keep on track. In the case of a job application lesson, you might allow time to introduce a job application, discuss the personal information section and teach students about each part of that section.

5

Write a list of questions for discussion, contingency plans in case you have too much or too little time, activities to drive home the objective and resources. These are mostly for your own peace of mind.