Learn about your students. Different people learn best in different ways. To best serve all your students, you need to understand their cultural and academic backgrounds as well as their reasons for learning English. A student studying English in preparation for a vacation in Hawaii, for instance, will have very different interests and expectations than one studying English in order to pursue graduate studies at a U.S.university.
Plan your lessons and classroom activities around the learning styles and needs of your students. As ESL classes often include students with a range of backgrounds, strengths and interests, you may have to diversify your inventory of classroom activities to ensure that all your students are challenged and engaged. For instance, students from Asian countries may be comfortable with reading and writing grammar exercises in English, since these are typically emphasized in the educational systems of their home countries, but may have deficient speaking and aural comprehension skills. An effective teacher will plan accessible class activities that will allow these students to practice and improve their speaking and listening abilities by working with classmates with more advanced skills. Be sure your activities cover all areas of language use--writing, speaking, listening and interacting with others.
Maintain control of your classroom. Disruptive or distracted students can be a problem, especially in classes with children. Develop a personal rapport with your students so they know you understand their personal concerns and support their learning efforts, but be mindful that your role in their lives is to be a mentor, not a buddy. Be consistent in enforcing classroom rules; your students should see you as firm but fair.
Foster an inclusive classroom atmosphere. ESL classrooms often include students from all over the world, and both teachers and students must be mindful not to allow their personal preconceptions or prejudices color their behavior towards others in class. Be aware that cultural differences may affect how students learn or behave in class: for instance, Japanese educational culture dictates that students remain silent in class and speak only when spoken to. Consequently, ESL students from Japan need to be explicitly taught that asking questions and initiating dialogue in the classroom are both welcome and expected in English-speaking cultures. Remember that for your students to feel comfortable communicating in English, they not only need to understand the language, but also Anglophone culture and social expectations.