How to Teach Beginners English: 13 Fundamentals You Need to Use

Teaching beginner English students is one of the most rewarding levels to teach. It's also the most difficult if you don't speak your students' language. Beginners might be my favorite level because it really tests the skills of the teacher. Unfortunately, most teacher-training courses (TEFL/CELTA), tend to ignore this level completely. Luckily, I've got some great methodology and tips for you.
Welcome teachers to my series on teaching beginners! This is part 1 of the series, and it's all about your approach. In the video, we go over thirteen important fundamentals to teach this level effectively.
The two most important fundamentals of teaching beginners are to know exactly what you want to teach and to spend a lot of time building up toward language fluency. Even someone with zero English ability can end a lesson with real-life communication. Watch the whole video for all of the beginner methodology you need to be successful in the classroom.
I love it when I get feedback on my videos, so all your comments and suggestions are welcome.
Helpful Links
Watch the entire beginner series!
Part 2: Teaching vocab • How to Teach English t...
Part 3: Planning a lesson • How to Teach English t...
Part 4: Teaching grammar perfectly • Teaching Grammar to Be...
My favourite resource for teachers
I get asked this all of the time and my go-to resource for teachers is Fluentize for all your lesson plan needs. This site has hundreds of tailor-made lesson plans, ready to go, with accompanying videos. Perfect for individual or small group lessons.
Use my code CHRIS20 to get 20% off the entire site! Trust me, get a year membership for full access to their entire catalogue. It will save you hundreds of hours of planning + the lessons are fantastic.
Link app.fluentize.com/pricing
The Language House TEFL: www.thelanguagehouse.net
This is the course that I run in Prague. We are an award-winning, onsite, teacher-training TEFL course in Prague. If you are interested in teaching abroad, do check us out.
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Pack Your Bags and Move to Prague: / 534961660573415
A great FB group to connect with grads of the course to learn all about teaching and living in Prague
#teachingbeginners #teachenglish #howtoteachbeginners
timestamp
00:00 intro/subscribe/background
03:00 1 know your goals
03:50 2 charisma
04:50 3 assume they know nothing
05:38 4 hardly ever speak
06:44 5 built up slowly
07:14 6 use visuals
07:57 7 elicit everything
08:29 8 slow it down
09:05 9 teach less
10:00 10 teach chunks
10:57 11 error correction
12:09 12 teach contractions
12:55 13 drill to death

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Thanks for watching! If you’re interested in teaching abroad, check out our TEFL course in Prague - The Language House www.thelanguagehouse.net

[@smithaNN-ro8jz]

❤

[@smithaNN-ro8jz]

❤❤❤❤❤❤q❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@smithaNN-ro8jz]

❤❤

[@thabel4737]

Maybe the only video on the whole internet that explains this clearly and "generously" .. hatts off and big thank you from Algeria

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Wow what a great comment!

[@lbunnygordon1133]

Agree noone will guide me

[@achrafswis5160]

Be sure you have a lot of fans from algeria ❤❤

[@truthseeker5613]

Agreed, here from Algeria as well. This helps alot with non-native learners!

[@s0ulst3ppa]

I'm actually an English native teaching in Algeria!🎉

[@kyl3497]

bro is teaching begginers how to teach begginers

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Ha! Good observation!

[@leon.s.kennedy8295]

Lol

[@Nateyo]

I live and grew up in Spain. At age 13 I was enrolled into an all english school (still in Spain) and was completely lost. As a complete beginner, being constantly corrected by teachers and classmates was a huge help. Being congratulated by someone for speaking a sentence that they know I used to struggle with made me feel like I was progressing.

[@MissEloisee]

This video has taught me more than the whole teachers training course 🙄🙄🙄 just payed for it to get the license to teach

[@shyamawillorage355]

Can you give us small lessons with illustration on how to teach someone who has absolutely no knowledge of English.

[@itsme.asturias]

That’ll be great!

[@brechtguillemyn8717]

I've learned more from this dude than from my tutors in teacher's training. Great channel!

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Thanks!

[@MissEloisee]

Same

[@jaysic6051]

Then don't call him dude. He's a teacher

[@deonpietersen538]

Thanks!! This beginner series is just what I've been waiting for :) So informative.

[@Twiglet1008]

Thank you Chris .. after presenting IELTS and ACADEMIC for decades, with a couple of years initially presenting some Elementary, now presenting to a combined Elementary and BEGINNER community centre class .. sure need to brush up on these essential skills..

[@lndlcy]

So glad I found you.. I'm starting a new class four students from four different countries. All beginners. I've no idea what their expectations are I didn't invite them. I simply volunteered to teach and then there's a class.. I used to teach advanced students but I myself have learning issues eg dyslexia dyspraxia but I'm passionate to help folk not be left isolated unable to speak the language of the country they're living in. I've no experience with beginners. Im using your tutorials as a lifeline like a drowning person would clutching a rubber ring. Your super clear and very encouraging. Im So glad you have made these tutorials. Thank you

[@elenad815]

An awesome introduction! Bravo. Charisma, expertise, everything is in its place in your personality. I'm here for a long time since today. Greetings from a newbie from Ukraine.

[@user-uf1nn5mp3g]

Very glad to find you and your tutorials, i had some trouble teaching children and thanks to you i could handle them with more ease than before

[@flamencojondotoday]

Thanks as always!!! I always enjoy your videos and going back and forth from your one on one explanations to the demos. These videos are excellent motivation for me. Keep up the good work. ✌

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Thanks, I really appreciate it!

[@MakholwaThwala-ew7rw]

I am learning a lot from you...all the way from the Kingdom of Swaziland 🇸🇿 big ups

[@joshuacastillo3530]

thank you so much I'm starting a language teaching journey and this is an amazing video thank you for your help! it all makes perfect sense!

[@aminatafavourite253]

Hello, thank you for the video. I live in Slovakia and I want to start my journey as an Esl teacher.

[@toddhildebrand]

Hey Chris, excellent video! Thanx!!! 61 year old American, no degree but a passion for teaching and kids. Long story short, I recently got a job teaching 2nd grade in Laos. And my goal is to be the best teacher I possibly can be. I teach math, science, English and geography. The kids are naturally good in Math. My goal is to get them to be the best readers and speakers I possibly can. They are given placement tests and then put in the grade that matches their speaking ability. Most of my kids are around 8.....but I have one 11 and one 12 year old. It's painful, in that some of the kids are painfully behind the majority of the others in their reading ability, but I make all the kids read aloud in the front of the class. Some require very little assistance.....and some require me to say most of the words. I want to get a few mp4 player/recorders with headphones so the kids can practice reading out loud to my voice.....it seems like it work well yes? Thoughts. And I have a special needs kid.....so they say who refuses to do anything. He has his books but will not remove them from his backpack....he won't even draw! Anyway I've realized I can only do what I can do/I can only help those that want to learn....it's sad though because I know where that kid is probably headed. And I know many of the kids need glasses as they read with books very close to their face. The parents/schools don'y have the resources like in the U.S. So I teach with much love and do the best I can. Any further advice would be greatly appreciated.

[@ethanlinton1159]

the best teacher in teaching. Efficient: few words and a lot of content.

[@faustoboada5224]

My Man Chris... Excelente job!! I'm waiting for the second part

[@NotOnlyCarrots]

Outstanding explanation of of the 13 Fundamentals, Chris. You clarified for me what I was thinking with my upcoming classes - speaking slowly, very minimal talking, minimal vocab and sentences. I really liked your suggestion to use the same phrase as a statement and then as a question, only changing one word - brilliant. Can't wait to watch vid 2.

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Glad I could help!

[@rkwaits1]

Can't wait for the next part! Thank you!

[@user-mf1cs1rm1g]

Thanks for sharing your professional experience! I'll use these tips in my classes

[@nagalakshmiparvataneni.628]

U made my learning beautiful and pleasant. Love u dear Chris. God bless you.

[@mahmood481]

I am not a teacher(yet), but loved every single advice you gave 👏👏👏

[@lovegoodness4354]

Thank you so much Teacher Chris. I've learned a lot.

[@gustavoolivieri6568]

As a student of Italian I have to emphasise how much I agree with point #11: when I'm not sure I'm speaking with the right structure I cannot speak so much, but when I know I'm right I get trigger-happy! 😅

[@dyahannurrr]

OMG, this will help me a lot because next week will be my first english teaching experience ❤

[@hamidrezasamadi6463]

Thanks for everything I'm hamid from Iran owning an English school in Tehran(Capital of Iran)and I have to tell you I'd rather watching you than some business fulfilling TV shows. keep up the good work Dear Chris

[@mckennatravels]

Thank you thank you. I am in Peru teaching English with no experience whatsoever. Had my first class last Saturday where I tried to teach the kiddos how to introduce themselves and learn colors. it went okay but i doubt the kids will have remembered much at all when I see them again this Saturday. I will try out these tips and review what we have learned.

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Wonderful!

[@kingsleyd3124]

Thank you Chris, that was very helpful. We are still waiting for the next video.

[@RhillEnglish]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 03:09 🎯 Define clear language goals for each beginner lesson, usually involving three to five questions or phrases they should be able to ask and answer. 04:02 😄 Show charisma and friendliness in your approach, especially with adult beginners who may have apprehensions. 05:24 🧠 Assume beginners know nothing and elicit vocabulary, grammatical structures, and instructions to avoid confusion. 06:11 🔊 Speak slowly and naturally to help beginners understand, as they may struggle with faster speech. 08:02 🖼️ Use visuals, props, drawing, and miming to convey meaning as beginners may not comprehend extensive verbal explanations. 11:12 ✔️ Error correct beginners consistently to help them use correct language from the start, boosting confidence and communication. 12:20 🤝 Teach contractions from day one, as they improve fluency and sound more natural in spoken English. 13:56 🔄 Drill and practice language extensively with beginners, focusing on pronunciation, spelling, forming statements and questions, and more.

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Nicely done ✅

[@Englizegna]

Thanks a lot.

[@timothyspool1399]

"Assume beginners know nothing and elicit vocabulary, grammatical structures, and instructions to avoid confusion." How can you elicit if the students know nothing?

[@brianzegarra2394]

Such an amazing tips, thank you so much Chris. I will apply all your tips.

[@typemybook]

Can't wait to see part two of this series!

[@rozivas9009]

Great advices,thank you for sharing with us! Good job!❤

[@HadiAboesha.]

You're my role-model. So carry on we need more as ESL, ELT. Especially for non-English speakers. Increadable fundamentals that we can depend on it. Thanks, alot

[@flamencojondotoday]

Yes same! Thanks Chris as always!!

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Thanks for the compliment!

[@LinhanGuo]

Great video! Can’t wait to watch past 2

[@LittleSongs]

We love these teaching tips! Thanks!

[@someonelikenootherone2998]

The best thing for beginning a nice week is watching your new video .Thanks a million times.

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

You’re welcome!

[@vladimirgorosko]

I cannot but totally agree with every point that you've made! This is how we acquire our native language as children, and this is how a foreign language should be taught.

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Thank you for watching

[@yet384]

Thank you so much the best video ever !!!

[@oscaredgarbenitezsalazar2549]

My god your the man! dropping solid gold advices thankyou very much.

[@baguiojohnnino2000]

What a great guide. Thank you very much 🙏😊

[@romisepulveda3346]

That was so useful!!! Thank you so much!

[@pheno_1]

You have thoroughly explained crucial tips for teachers. Hats off👏 Insights from your video hugely help

[@leeobreisleain6492]

Thanks Chris. This was super helpful!

[@helenmarshall3799]

Absolutely brilliant! I am teaching my first entry level beginner class today and this has re-enforced the huge amount of preparation that I have done. I feel much more confident teaching this lesson today. I just need to keep the TTT down. Thanks so much for this excellent content. I shall be watching more of your videos.

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Best of luck!

[@helenmarshall3799]

@@TheLanguageHouseTEFL Thanks very much. It went OK but I need to learn how to perfect giving out instructions. I translated lesson guides in three languages which was a huge amount of work. I have a lot to learn but each week I will improve.

[@harinadixty]

Amazing content for teachers, i loved the tips, also i ll try to practice it on my daily routine with my students. Thank you a lot 🙏🏼❤

[@IELTS_UK]

Teaching beginners is sooooo hard!!! Half the job is keeping their attention!

[@yaqutskizad931]

thank you for the video! I believe I have got many incredible tips by watching this video as a new teacher. Have you uploaded the second part?

[@imadbelghalem2358]

You're amazing Thank you so much!!!

[@tsouzou1117]

It's really inspiring to me! Thanks a lot, you are the best teacher in the world.

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Wow, thank you!

[@migueldeannadodge4824]

Wow, wow, and wow! Thank you for this video. I want to teach English to non-native speakers and was ready to apply to all these online companies but then came across your video. I am certified to teach English here in the States to our students, but not to non-English speakers. Boy was I getting ahead of myself.

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

You’re welcome! I’m glad you like the vids.

[@user-ns9nc9wh9t]

Thanks a lot!It's really helpful!

[@pierrearjunrobensjeanbapti2446]

Thank you so much! As a beginner teacher I just learned a lot from this video.

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Glad it was helpful!

[@yosefochoarosales3274]

Newbie here! Thank you so much for this!

[@inna7477]

This is amazing👍 Thank you sooooo much!

[@neelimagupta4954]

What i have learned with this video is understanding human behaviour will definitely lead you to understand yourself better! You have a nice observation of human behavior that's how you are able to differentiate in students way of understanding languages. I can relate it more because once i was also unable to communicate in english. Now that i have became a english teacher your video has helped me alot. Thank you for guiding in such a simple way.😊

[@jardelsouza7787]

Sou brasileiro e qro muito aprender inglês

[@swiftie753]

Thanks this was very helpful! I'm 20 and I just started teaching english to a beginner and I had no idea where to start, we only had one lesson and I found out I did half the things you said we should avoid doing 😵😂 but I'll try following your tips

[@katnoova]

Amazing tips Thanks!

[@eliasaraujo9957]

Precise points. Looking forward to seeing the next video.

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

I’ll get the new vid out in about 10 days! I’ve been a bit busy at school 🏫

[@Caydos]

Damn I realized it's next to impossible for me to teach anyone anything. Thanks for making me realize that before I devalue my time and others'. Keep up the good work 👍🏻

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Why do you feel this way?

[@Georgeor-vk5vw]

Hi chris That's great.Thank you

[@marylebone4465]

🤚 I've only taught my children. now teaching a toddler. Now watching this to hopefully help the goal of being an online english teacher.

[@aagueda25]

Muchas gracias por los tips.

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

You’re welcome 😇

[@user-ne2mh6bc1i]

Thank you for your content! Kisses from Brazil

[@certificacionesdeingles]

Thank you Chris! You're amazing! I just shared your videos with my teachers' staff. Most of them have little or no experience teaching. It's really useful!

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@faslaniyan]

Thanks you're fantastic teacher

[@maedeameli]

So very helpful Thank you so much 😍🙏🙏🙏

[@caro1591]

Great video. I’d never heard “Do me a solid” before. Have you seen ‘Little Britain’? Definitely a phrase to be used with great caution in the UK 😂

[@josejuanmorapez]

GREAT INFO. BUT GREATER WAY TO MAKE IT CLEARER. I PARTICULARLY LOVE FUNDAMENTAL #13. THANKS...

[@kimmypapi4529]

Hi Chris! I am looking for part two… Is it out yet? You are helping me tremendously. I am TEFL certified 2012, but have never used it. I have been a Spanish as a second language student at conversational Spanish schools annually since 2010 and I am leaving on April 27 to teach English to beginner and beginner intermediate in Quito Ecuador ages 15 to 28. I am watching your videos, reading TEFL for dummies, and compiling materials. Can you direct me to part two and any other of your videos that I should make sure to watch please. Thank you. Also, I have subscribed and I’m watching part one for the third time going over my notes.

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

It’s out. Check out my uploads

[@user-ue8kz2iu7s]

Thanks a bunch! You are so charming! It was hard to follow 😃

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

You are so welcome!

[@neginghaheri3285]

It was great , Thank you ❤

[@kiraborebecca5209]

Thanks for sharing with us ❤

[@shimaeidisheikhrobat3646]

Thank you so much for the incredible content. So practical and valuable. What I'm struggling with when teaching English to beginners is how much should I use our native language. I'll be thankful if you make a video on this too.❤️

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

I’ve got 3 videos with beginners. Check them all out! Thanks for the kind words

[@renukadesilva8522]

Thank you for valuable information given.

[@gulsenalturk4631]

Great video, ı love it🎉

[@fatemamohamed9057]

Thanks a bunch for your consistent efforts in giving us the amazing teaching tips 🌹🌹

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Any time!

[@user-sg2vq1bg4e]

Thank you so much 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@pamelanepomuceno6313]

What a marvelous video!

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

You’re marvelous! Thanks for watching!

[@koka-dn9uu]

Man you're amazing, thanks a lot 👌👌👌

[@jitsubulls]

Thanks sir I learned a lot from you❤

[@Georgeor-vk5vw]

I'm one of your fans.your class is interesting.

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Thank you!

[@CherryRed-pq6xn]

Amazing video and it was very useful for me! It's not boring as other teaching videos and i really liked it! 😍

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

I’m glad! I have 2 other beginner videos so far. I’ll have a new one soon on teaching grammar

[@danm7596]

Great points, thanks!

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

My pleasure!

[@vikiillesh8436]

Just remembering all of mistakes i have made... But now i just need to do my best not to make them again! Thank you for the video. I think its really important to teach how to teach^^

[@hudsonlyons8707]

Thanks for this Chris. Super helpful video. Eager to see part 2!

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Part 2 is ready and I'm shooting Part 3 today!

[@ayeshafirdaus3319]

Thank you sir.. From India

[@AdrianasWonderland]

Amazing video, thank you so much!

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Ah shucks, thanks 🙏

[@englishwithbalusir2829]

I am one of your big fans sir from India👍🏻. Your explanation is superb.

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

Thanks 🙏

[@alienarts9736]

Brilliant!

[@user-sr5ii5zr2l]

Yes,thank you very much Chris, I'm watching you, thinking of my Korean movies, I must prioritize.

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

You can do it!

[@alenakraedi8893]

Thank you 🌷🌷🌷

[@ParniaPajouhesh]

Perfect👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@AaronRasheed]

Thanks 🙏

[@jgarcia5588]

Thank you, very helpful

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

You're welcome!

[@TheHangarRat]

Thank you thank you thank you. My first beginners class is tomorrow and I'm VERY Nervous. You helped so much. 😁🤞

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

You got this!

[@tplez1659]

Error correction - I think it's important to know that many students expect to be corrected and feel feel disappointed (and even cheated) if you never correct them. I try to correct only language we have covered recently and the target language for that lesson.

[@munozdayana4741]

thank you so much

[@slvdwel8058]

Super helpful content - especially as teaching students who aren't familiar with Roman script. Where can we go for lesson plans for these beginners. Fluentize doesn't seem to have many beginner lessons. Most beginner lessons require some level of reading and vocab prior to starting the course. I am having trouble finding total beginner resources.

[@yourbook3454]

that was useful thanks

[@TheLanguageHouseTEFL]

You're welcome!