Welcome to Teachers Together English, where we believe that incorporating writing into your ESL classroom can transform how your students learn English. Writing isn’t just an activity—it’s a crucial component of language acquisition that can boost engagement, reinforce learning, and even make the journey fun!
You can watch the video we did with Jillian from Independent Teacher Academy showcasing how to use the curriculum!
Importance of Writing in ESL Classrooms
Writing is more than just putting words on paper; it’s a dynamic way to help students internalize the language. When students engage in writing in ESL classrooms, they don’t just memorize words—they learn to think in English. This skill is invaluable, especially when they face real-world situations where translation tools aren’t available.
Moreover, writing helps students slow down and process the language. Unlike speaking, where thoughts and words flow simultaneously, writing allows students to think ahead, self-correct, and reinforce grammar and vocabulary.
Teaching writing in an online environment presents unique challenges. Unlike a face-to-face classroom where you can easily create author’s sharing circles, display writing pieces, it is more difficult to create this sense of community online. Choose tools with a whiteboard, chat, and screensharing at a minimum to enable you to give feedback and work together with your students to improve their writing more easily. It can also be more challenging to maintain student attention in a virtual setting. Choosing an ESL writing curriculum such as Teachers Together English which incorporates mini-lessons, independent writing tasks, and games to help you maintain engagement.
Creative ESL Writing Activities to Engage Students
Incorporating creative writing into lessons can significantly enhance student engagement. When students write stories or create dialogues, they use language creatively, which helps them remember and use it more effectively. It’s not just about “Where is the library?” anymore—it’s about crafting narratives that make learning exciting.
Writing also prepares students for standardized tests like the Cambridge English exams, where writing is a key component. By starting early, students build a strong foundation that improves their scores and boosts their confidence.
Utilizing Teachers Together English Writing Tools
We’ve developed a comprehensive ESL writing curriculum that aligns with our core ESL lessons to make teaching writing easier for you. Our Super Sentences unit is designed for beginner writers, focusing on sentence structure, punctuation, and simple descriptions. It’s perfect for integrating into your lessons and helping students build their writing skills.
Each lesson includes a warm-up, a mini-lesson, independent writing time, and a fun game to reinforce learning. The writing curriculum is structured to be flexible, allowing you to adapt it to your students’ needs and keep them engaged.
Enhance Learning with Book Creator
Book Creator is a fantastic tool to track student progress and showcase their work. Only the best pieces make it into their Book Creator projects, which parents can view and share. This not only motivates students to improve but also serves as a marketing tool for your classes.
Our curriculum pairs seamlessly with Book Creator, allowing students to write stories, create dialogues, and even record their voices. This multi-sensory approach helps reinforce learning and keeps students excited about writing.
Try It Yourself
We offer a free trial of our writing curriculum, so you can see firsthand how it can enhance your teaching. Whether you’re looking to integrate writing into your current lessons or start a dedicated writing class, our resources are designed to support you every step of the way.
Ready to transform your ESL teaching with the power of writing? Check out our full curriculum and start your journey today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are some fun ESL writing activities? A: Check out the writing games in the Teachers Together English curriculum or try journaling, writing letters to pen pals, collaborative storytelling, or creating comic strips. These activities make writing enjoyable and help students use language creatively.
Q: How can I prepare my students for writing exams? A: Use prompts similar to exam tasks, practice time management, and provide feedback on structure, grammar, and vocabulary. Encourage students to plan their writing and self-edit before submission. If you are looking for prompts that are structured similarly, check out the downloadable homework activities in lessons 5 and 10 of the Teachers Together English core curriculum.
