First lesson, and now what?

How to conduct the first English language class with a new student or a new group?

The first lesson with a new group is an incredibly important moment in teaching English. It's a moment when we can build relationships, spark interest in the language, and create a friendly atmosphere. How to effectively lead the first class, complete all formalities, and break the ice? Here are a few practical tips.

Get to know your group

Before the first lesson, it's worth learning a bit more about your students. If you have the opportunity, find out in advance what they expect, their level of proficiency, and their interests. This will help you better tailor the lesson plan to their needs and won't catch you off guard in the first class.

Introduce yourself

Start the lesson with a warm greeting. It's important for the students to feel comfortable and welcomed in the group. Share a bit about yourself so they know your qualifications and why they can trust you to know what you're doing.

A shared contract on classroom rules

One of the interesting ideas for the first lesson is to create a shared "contract" regarding the rules in the classroom. This is an excellent opportunity to involve students in the process of creating the atmosphere in the lessons and engage them in defining certain basic rules. Together, you can discuss aspects such as:

• Speaking time: Who, when, and for how long can speak? You can establish that each participant has a designated amount of time to express their opinion. Inform students that you will try to speak as little as possible to give them more space, and that you won't immediately give them hints when they don't know what to say, to give them a chance to gather their thoughts.
• Homework: What are their expectations regarding homework? Should it be given every time or only occasionally? Explain to them why you assign homework and how you will enforce it.
• Questions and activities: How to encourage participation? You can agree that each participant should ask a question or propose an activity from time to time. Specify that the teacher will "quieten down" the most active students and "activate" the quieter ones.
• Respect for opinions: How to react to different opinions? Agree that everyone has the right to their opinion and that respecting diversity is important.
• Topics to avoid: Are there topics participants would like to avoid? Define a range of topics that everyone is comfortable with.
• Vocabulary learning: How will you learn vocabulary? A vocabulary list or something like Quizlet? Who will choose the words to learn, and who will add them to the application?

Creating such a contract not only engages students in the teaching process but also gives them a sense of co-responsibility for the atmosphere and the course of the lessons. It's also a great way to build a sense of community within the group and develop communication and cooperation skills.

Don't even think that it will work without an agreement (of you’re the business owner)

Signing a legal agreement between the teacher and students is an important step that can ensure transparency, fairness, and harmony during the educational cooperation. Such an agreement provides a clear record of agreed-upon rules and expectations that apply at every stage of the learning process. It's worth taking a moment to discuss key aspects of the agreement, such as:

• Cancellation and rescheduling rules: In the agreement, you can precisely specify what are acceptable reasons for canceling or rescheduling lessons. This way, all participants are aware of how to proceed in case of unexpected circumstances.
• Making up for missed lessons: The agreement can include arrangements for the possibility of making up for missed lessons in case they are canceled. This is an important issue that affects schedule flexibility and allows students to catch up on missed material.
• Termination of cooperation: Defining conditions for course termination in the agreement is crucial for both parties. It's valuable to include information about the required notice period and potential financial consequences.
• Financial terms: The agreement can explain the payment methods, deadlines, and other financial aspects. The option to choose between upfront payment, installment, or a fixed monthly fee can also be regulated.

Signing a legal agreement is not only a form of protecting the rights of students and the teacher but also a way to establish mutual respect and trust. It keeps all participants up to date with the rules and expectations, eliminating potential misunderstandings and conflicts in the future.

Encourage active participation

During the first lessons, create an atmosphere of openness and encourage students to actively participate. Ask questions, listen to their opinions, and also encourage them to ask questions. This will help spark interest in the topic and build confidence in using the language. Students in the class must speak, even if they're afraid now - they'll thank you later!

They must speak, speak, speak...

But what to do when you're running out of ideas for conversations? What can students at the A1 level keep talking about? Ensuring diversity in topics and having a wealth of conversation materials is the key to effective English language teaching. Especially for teachers taking their first steps in teaching, finding a source that provides ready-made and engaging tasks is important. Here's where Lingstar comes in.

Lingstar is a collection of conversation tasks available at all levels of language proficiency. Whether you're teaching beginners or advanced students, Lingstar offers a wide range of topics that can be used in lessons in the form of conversation cards arranged into presentations. This platform provides ready exercises with questions, dialogues, and role-playing situations, ideal for conducting conversations in English.

Why should you consider using Lingstar?

1. Diverse Topics: On the Lingstar platform, you'll find conversation tasks on topics ranging from travel and culture to education and technology. This allows you to tailor materials to your group's interests.
2. All Levels: Lingstar offers tasks at different levels of proficiency, allowing you to adapt materials to your students' skills.
3. Quick Access: Materials on Lingstar are always at your fingertips. This saves time on preparing your own tasks and allows you to focus on conducting lessons.
4. Ready Exercises: Tasks on Lingstar are ready to use. You can immediately use them in your lessons, which is incredibly convenient, especially for a beginner teacher.
5. Supporting Communication: Conversation tasks on Lingstar are designed to develop the skill of free communication in English. It's an excellent way to practice speaking and listening.

We highly recommend the Lingstar platform, especially for beginner teachers seeking ready materials to fully utilize their educational potential. With this platform, preparing engaging and effective conversation lessons has never been easier.

Summary

The first lesson is a pivotal moment that influences the entire learning period. Creating a friendly atmosphere, breaking the ice, and building relationships are the keys to success. Utilize various methods and exercises to make students feel comfortable. And remember, there's only one first lesson, don't waste it! ;)