Managing the lesson

Managing the lesson is a key factor in ensuring classes run smoothly and students are engaged in learning. This professional practice involves managing every aspect of the lesson during the class time. This includes controlling the pace and timing of activities, signalling transitions between stages of the lesson, adjusting the classroom layout to support learning, responding to unexpected classroom events, making effective use of resources and equipment, giving instructions effectively and checking understanding. It involves monitoring learner engagement in order to maintain motivation, establishing and maintaining classroom discipline, adjusting plans to take advantage of opportunities for learning that emerge during lessons and reflecting on lesson management.

Managing the lesson involves:
  • Controlling the pace and timing of activities.
  • Signalling transitions between stages of the lesson.
  • Adjusting the classroom layout to support learning.
  • Responding to unexpected classroom events.
  • Making effective use of resources and equipment.
  • Giving instructions effectively.
  • Explaining learning aims and content appropriately.
  • Checking understanding.
  • Using language appropriate to my learners’ level.
  • Making appropriate decisions about which languages are used by the teacher and learners.
  • Monitoring learner engagement in order to maintain motivation.
  • Establishing and maintaining classroom discipline.
  • Setting up classroom activities that include a variety of interaction patterns.
  • Adjusting plans to take advantage of opportunities for learning that emerge during lessons.
  • Establishing and maintaining a positive learning environment.
  • Reflecting on my lesson management, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and making adjustments as needed.
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