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'

One of the things I love when I teach is improvising. Don't get me wrong; I always prepare a lesson plan. But most of the times I don't stick to it. Maybe it's because my students need more explanations or more practice, maybe because sometimes students like the subjects so much and they ask questions or start discussion. I have never considered this lost time.

In this webinar recording, Jason Anderson, winner of the 2016 British Council ELTon award for Local Innovation, explores how teachers of English working in large classes can develop local solutions to the challenges they face, by collaborating with colleagues in their school community and wider social environment.

Webinar

Research and insight

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

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