🎯 1. Make your lesson objectives clear

When students know what they’re doing — and why — they’re more likely to stay focused and connect activities to real goals.

What you can do:

1. Begin each lesson by stating the objective in student-friendly language: 💬 “Today we’re going to practise giving opinions in a group discussion!”;

2. After each activity, you could ask something like: 💬 “Why do you think we did this?” 💬 “What did you learn from it?”;

3. End the lesson with a quick self-reflection prompt: 💬 “Write down one thing you did well and one thing to improve!”.

💡 2. Explore attitudes and goals

Teenagers are still forming ideas about the future. Helping them understand why they’re learning English gives purpose and direction.

What you can do:

1. Run a 10-minute discussion in pairs with prompts like: 💬 “Why do you think English is useful for you?” 💬 “Do you need it more for speaking or writing?” 💬 “How do you imagine using English in five years?”;

2. Use a simple goals chart:

  My English goal:   Why I chose it: How I’ll work toward it:

  Improve my speaking For travel     Speak only English in class

🖍️ 3. Discover learning preferences

Students learn in different ways — visual, auditory, social, etc. When they know what suits them best, learning becomes more effective (and fun!).

What you can do:

• 1. Give a quick learning style questionnaire in class. (“Do you remember words better when you write them down, hear them, or use them in a sentence?”)

  2. Try this ranking activity:
     Put these in order from most helpful to least helpful for remembering new words!

     1. 1. • Writing them in a notebook

           • Using them in a sentence

           • Drawing them

           • Saying them out loud

           • Seeing them in context (e.g. TV shows)

Let students discuss their answers in pairs — great speaking practice and awareness-building at once!

🧭 4. Promote self-assessment and reflection

Students become more responsible when they can evaluate their own progress and learning habits.

What you can do:

1. 1. Use mini “learning journals” once a week with prompts like: 💬 What did I enjoy this week?; 💬 What was difficult?; 💬 One thing I can do better next time is… 

   2. Try a credo sheet (a list of beliefs about language learning). Ask students to agree/disagree and explain why. Example statements: “It’s OK to make mistakes if I’m communicating.”; “I don’t need to understand every word in a listening exercise.”; “I learn better when I work with a partner.”
      This kind of activity sparks critical thinking — and useful classroom conversations.

🤝🏻 5. Foster responsibility through class involvement

When students feel like partners in the learning process, they’re more likely to stay engaged and take initiative.

What you can do:

1. 1. Involve students in setting class rules at the beginning of the year: 💬 “Always speak English in class” 💬 “Help each other before asking the teacher”;

   2. Invite them to share tips or advice for new learners: 💬 “Try to learn 10 new words a week.”; 💬 “Don’t be afraid to speak — everyone is learning!”
      You can even turn this into a group poster activity: “Advice for future English learners”.

Helping students understand how they learn transforms them from passive learners into active, responsible ones. Whether it’s goal-setting, reflection, or trying out different learning strategies, even small steps can make a big difference.

📝 Want to try it out?

Start with one idea this week — a reflection prompt, a credo sheet, or a goal-setting task. Your students might surprise you with their insights!