Designing English Courses: Lessons After a Few Painful Rounds

First Mistake: Teaching by Improvisation

• Sessions 1–2: games, learning tips → students love it.
• Session 3 onwards: out of ideas, no idea how to structure 90 minutes.
• Tea once hoped students... wouldn't show up to avoid embarrassment.

When Lesson Plans Work Properly

1. Build curriculum framework based on end-of-course goals (exams, communication, specific skills).
2. Divide sessions into "loops": review (10'), input (new language), practice activities (pair/group), assessment – feedback (delayed).
3. Always prepare "boredom resistance": if students do self-study exercises, have them review/form debate groups instead of just sitting passively.
4. Skills interconnected – don't separate listening/reading/speaking/writing; use the same topic to practice multiple skills.

IELTS & Skills Classes: How to Balance?

• Allocate 30% time for clear "input," 70% for practice + error correction.
• Have students do tests at home; in class focus on analyzing their mistakes, guiding strategies.
• Each session has a clear conclusion: "What can students do after today?"

When lesson plans stick to objectives, you won't worry about running out of ideas; students also see each session leading to clear results.