Strategies to improve teaching English as a second/foreign language.

1) Motivation is the key.

We as teachers must make the students understand that English is a universal language (Lingua
Franca). It can be used as a medium of communication no matter wherever they go around the
world. Explain to them in detail the ample opportunities they will get if their command on the
English language is strong.
2) Exposure and focus on form.
Use only English when communicating with the students and make them communicate with you
only in English. When the students communicate in English IGNORE their mistakes.
Here is where the teacher needs to focus their attention on the proper form of the English
language (how it is pronounced and written, how it’s grammar is formed and used, correct
vocabulary etc) because the students will pick this up consequently, without even realizing it.
They should be surrounded by English.
3) Never discourage errors.
Errors/mistakes are a natural part of learning. They usually show that students are learning and
that they are mentally working and experimenting with the new language.
4) Use non-verbal communication.
Use body language to express an action during a lesson. It really helps the students to learn
important grammatical rules like prepositions. For e.g. You can demonstrate each preposition by
acting it out. Use repeat patterns as well. Repetitions help the students remember.
5) Introduction to proper use of basic and advanced vocabulary.
Use the PPP (Presentation, Practice, Production) technique to teach new vocabulary to the
students. The students will learn the vocabulary in controlled activities. Ask students to use the
new language in controlled activities in a communicative way.
6) Guided discovery process.
In this process, the teacher presents the new language and vocabulary to the students after they
have interacted with it. In this approach the teacher is removed from the role of “EXPLAINER”
and extends to the students the opportunity to question and discover the target language. (This
approach is crucial in the Language Lab)
7) Oral activity.
Hold discussions on a topic and Introduce the target language in the context of the discussions.
(Extremely important in the Language Lab)
8) Test-teach-test (TTT) approach.
In this approach, the students first complete a task without the help from the teacher. Then,
based on the problems seen, the teacher plans and presents the target language. Then the
students do another task to practice the new language.
9) Level based teaching.
The presenting of new language and introducing lessons will depend on the level, age and prior
knowledge of the English language of the students.

The teacher should use lots of warmers and lead-ins before starting new topics.
Use of Informal assessments regularly is of utmost importance.