A teacher sitting on the floor with her students, pointing to items on her teaching board

Managing the lesson

This section is related to 'Planning lessons and courses' and focuses on managing learning in physical and virtual classroom environments.

Managing the lesson

In this section you can find useful professional development resources – including articles, webinars, podcast episodes, research and teaching tips and tools – all to help you develop your skills and knowledge of Managing the lesson.

What does 'Managing the lesson' involve?

This professional practice is directly related to lesson planning and focuses on managing classroom environments and learning in physical and virtual spaces. It includes:

  • adjusting the physical classroom (e.g. layout, temperature, noise, etc.) or online classroom (distractions, technology, turn-taking etc.) to support learning

  • establishing and maintaining a positive, safe and supportive learning environment

  • explaining, negotiating and agreeing the lesson aims and content

  • using inclusive pedagogies and strategies as appropriate (see also Using inclusive practices)

  • making appropriate decisions about which languages you use, and your learners use (see also Using multilingual practices)

  • using language appropriate to your learners' level (see also Understanding my learners)

  • using multilingual and translanguaging pedagogic strategies as appropriate (see also Using multilingual practices)

  • giving instructions effectively

  • checking understanding (see also: Assessing learning)

  • managing the pace and timing of activities

  • signalling transitions between stages of the lesson

  • responding to unexpected events in the physical and online classroom

  • making effective use of resources and equipment

  • monitoring learner engagement and responding to emergent needs in order to maintain motivation

  • establishing and maintaining appropriate classroom discipline

  • setting up classroom activities that include a variety of interaction patterns

  • adjusting plans to take advantage of opportunities for learning that emerge during lessons

  • reflecting on my lesson management, identifying strengths and areas to develop and making adjustments as needed (see also Understanding and developing my professional identity.)

You can follow a pathway through selected materials on managing the lesson.

 

Explore resources on 'Managing the lesson'

Learn how to evaluate and write engaging lesson plans, and explore techniques for effective transitions, signalling, task-setting and checking instructions. This new course is open now – enrol until 24 December.

Certificate
Online community
Workbook
Start: 01/10/25
End: 31/12/25

Make your classroom a trauma-sensitive learning environment. Help your learners to shine by working creatively with limited resources and by managing challenging behaviour positively. This course is open now – enrol until 24 March 2026.

Certificate
Online community
Workbook
Start: 03/04/25
End: 31/03/26

Learn how to manage resources, groupings and differentiation effectively to help build positive relationships with learners in your classroom. This course will open on 7 January 2026 – enrol now.

Certificate
Online community
Workbook
Start: 07/01/26
End: 31/03/26

Give your primary learners the best environment to learn English by improving your management of instructions, learning activities, resources and physical space. This course will open on 7 January 2026 – enrol now.

Certificate
Online community
Workbook
Start: 07/01/26
End: 31/03/26

Learn how to use boards and other classroom resources effectively. Develop strategies for promoting social language, starting and finishing lessons and managing different interaction patterns in class. This new course will open on 7 January 2026 – enrol now.

Certificate
Online community
Workbook
Start: 07/01/26
End: 31/03/26

Research and insight

Browse fascinating case studies, research papers, publications and books by researchers and ELT experts from around the world.

See our publications, research and insight