How to plan lessons effectively: 5 tips from Grade University experts

Recall your most memorable school lesson. What made it special? Perhaps it was an engaging topic, an unusual approach by the teacher, or an assignment that made learning fun. Every such lesson is supported by careful planning. In a world where information is available at every turn, a teacher's task is not just to impart knowledge but to do so in a way that engages and motivates every student. Let's break down five key tips to help you achieve this.

Set clear and achievable goals

For an English or any other lesson to be effective, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of what exactly you want your students to learn. The SMART principle can help you in setting goals — they should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, instead of setting a goal like "Improve speaking skills," it is better to say: "By the end of the lesson, students will be able to use five new phrasal verbs in the context of everyday communication."

At the beginning of the lesson, state the objectives and explain why they are important. This will help students better understand what is expected of them. When students see that they are achieving the set goals, it motivates them to keep learning. After successfully completing an assignment, praise the students and highlight how well they did. At the end of the lesson, it is important to revisit the set objectives and assess how well they have been achieved. To do this, you can conduct a small task or test to check how well the students have absorbed the material. For instance, you could organize a short test on the comprehension of new English words and expressions studied during the lesson. This will help ensure that students understand and can apply their new knowledge in practice.

Develop a lesson structure

As a teacher, you might often ponder how to create the perfect lesson. Your task is not just to impart knowledge but to ignite a spark of interest in your students. A lesson should not be a mechanical repetition of material but should inspire and captivate.

Imagine yourself in the classroom. The lesson begins, and all eyes are on you. How can you ensure that this lesson will be memorable? The first step is the greeting. This moment might seem trivial, but it lays the foundation for the entire lesson. Greeting your students warmly helps establish an atmosphere of trust and readiness to learn.

Next, move on to the warm-up. This can be a brief and straightforward activity designed to activate the students' minds and get them engaged in the learning process. A good warm-up prepares the brain to absorb new information.

Following the warm-up, you need to activate prior knowledge. This stage is crucial for sparking interest, connecting new material to what the students already know, and assessing their current level of understanding.

The main part of the lesson is the heart and mind of the entire process. This is where the direct introduction of new material takes place. It's important to remember that the explanation should be informative and interesting to ensure the information is better remembered and more easily understood.

Once you have explained the new material, it’s time for knowledge reinforcement. Provide tasks that allow students to practice what they've learned. These tasks should be varied to stimulate different types of thinking. Interactive games, group work, or pair activities can make the learning process more dynamic and engaging.

Finally, conclude the lesson with a summary. Recap the key points, highlight the main ideas, and check the students' understanding. This final stage ensures that the lesson's primary goals are achieved and that students leave with a clear understanding of the new knowledge.

Use a variety of teaching methods

Think about how you can diversify your teaching so that students not only acquire knowledge but also enjoy the process. Different teaching methods can be your secret to success.

Variety in methods allows you to cater to different learning styles. While some students learn better through visual materials, others might be more engaged if offered role-playing games or group discussions. If you want to conduct an interactive session during an English lesson, you can employ a role-playing game after covering the topic. This game should include tasks that require the use of all the language structures and vocabulary that the children have learnt in previous lessons. In this way, it will help them use apply the phrases they have learnt in real-life situations.

How about incorporating multimedia resources? Videos, presentations, and interactive assignments can make your lessons more vivid and dynamic. For example, at the beginning of the lesson, you can use a video to capture the children's attention towards the topic. Additionally, you can use presentations during the main part of the lesson to visually demonstrate new grammatical structures or vocabulary.

Don't forget traditional methods, but use them in new ways. For example, add gamification to your lessons to turn dry lectures and boring assignments into exciting adventures. Start incorporating interactive contests or quizzes where students can apply their knowledge in a game-like format.

So, all these methods and resources should not only diversify the lesson but also help achieve the lesson's objective, which we set at the beginning of the planning. If a particular method does not help in achieving the goal — it’s better to avoid do not use it. Your task is to choose methods and tools that will genuinely work and help you use the lesson time more effectively.

Time management

The ability to allocate time effectively is not only about lesson planning but also about adapting during the lesson. It is crucial to clearly divide time into segments to cover all planned topics and give students the opportunity to engage in the process. This helps avoid dwelling too long on one topic and ensures a balanced focus on various aspects of the lesson.

Start by developing a detailed plan where each part of the lesson is allotted a specific amount of time. For example, if you plan a 5-minute introduction, a 30-minute main section, and a 10-minute discussion, try to adhere to these timings. When planning a lesson, it is especially important to determine in advance how much time each exercise will take. This will allow you to more accurately assess which exercises should be included in the lesson and which ones should be left out. Don’t forget to leave a couple of minutes for unforeseen circumstances. You can use a timer or a clock to monitor how much time you spend on each part of the lesson. If you notice that a discussion is running over time, adjust the plan on the spot to stay on track with the overall schedule. 

One of the key elements of the lesson is the time allocated for questions and discussions. This allows students to clarify any confusing points and deepen their understanding of the material. Make sure to set aside specific time at the end of the lesson for this, so you don’t miss the opportunity to address their questions.

Prepare materials in advance

To save time in the classroom, prepare all necessary resources in advance: worksheets, presentations, and handouts. In teaching, as in life, things don’t always go according to plan. It’s also wise to have backup materials or alternative assignments ready in case something goes awry or students grasp the material more quickly than anticipated. This will help you stay confident and flexible in any situation.

Additionally, ensure that all technical equipment is set up and tested before the lesson begins. This includes checking that projectors, computers, and any other audiovisual aids are working properly. Having a checklist can be beneficial to ensure that you haven’t overlooked anything crucial. If you are conducting an online lesson, every link should be created and sent to your students in advance. Have you prepared a presentation for the lesson? Send it to the students before the session starts as well. This will help ensure that everyone has access to the necessary materials and can follow along more effectively, leading to a smoother and more organised lesson.

Would you like to improve your lesson planning skills and make your English classes more engaging? Grade University offers the perfect solution — our course "The Basics of Lesson Planning." This course is designed for those who want to master the art of lesson planning, making their classes more structured and interesting. Try a demo version of the course for free, so you can see how well it meets your expectations. The course is available online, allowing you to learn at your own pace and convenience. Additionally, if you are planning to take the CELTA course, "The Basics of Lesson Planning" will provide an excellent foundation for further learning. You can also review our wide range of other online TEFL/TESOL courses for improving your teaching skills.

Successful lesson planning is the key to effective teaching. Remember that a well-planned lesson not only helps you convey material to students but also makes the learning process interesting and engaging. The tips we discussed in this article contribute to achieving educational goals and inspire students to reach new heights.