(1/3)From ESL Zero to Hero:

In today’s globalized world, most

beginner ESL students have had some contact with the English language, usually through the Internet, movies or TV

They have most likely studied English at some point in their lives and abandoned their studies – they are often referred to as false beginners.

But every now and then, we come across an absolute beginner, someone who has had so little exposure to English, they can’t even handle the most basic greetings, verbs or vocabulary.

Whether you are amongst a complete group of absolute beginners, or a few within a group of false beginners, here are some tips that will help your study or learning from ESL zeroes to heroes!

👉Prioritize Learning Goals

Absolute beginners have had so little exposure to the English language, they have absolutely nothing to build on.
 
Naturally, you’ll start with the basics, but consider what they’ll need to know first.

Does it make sense to start with a list of foods in English? Or colors or numbers? Probably not.

What they need to know first is how to introduce themselves and greet others.

The natural progression from there is the use of the verb “to be”
(I am from…; He is from…, etc…).

Then you’ll progress on to possessives (my country, your name, his family) and so on…

Give priority to the language they will need first and foremost.

👉Don’t Assume Anything

Don’t make assumptions about what yourselves or children know.

 Assume all of you know nothing.

For example, to practice the verb to be, you ask them what nationalities they are, only to find out they don’t know how to say nationalities in English. 

Countries and nationalities should be taught first, and then practiced with the verb “to be”.

And this goes for a multitude of vocabulary and expressions.

Don’t assume a person will be able to answer you if you ask,
“How are you?”

Absolute beginners won’t know how to reply, unless you’ve specifically taught them.

..to be continue on next post