Knowing a language and knowing how to teach it are two different things.

  • If you’re preparing for CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL or another initial English-language teacher\-training course, you’ll soon discover that teaching English involves much more than explaining grammar rules or giving learners exercises.

  • This practical module introduces you to language analysis, language clarification and language practice — three essential areas of English-language.

  • You’ll explore how teachers analyse language in terms of meaning, form and pronunciation (MFP), how they introduce and clarify new language, and how they help learners move from understanding language to using it confidently.

  • You’ll also discover how teachers use contextualisation, concept-checking questions (CCQs), instruction-checking questions (ICQs), pronunciation techniques and different types of practice activities to support learning.

  • Through classroom observations, teacher reflections, practical examples and activities, you’ll begin to see how these ideas work in real English language classrooms.

  • The aim is not to make you an experienced teacher before your training begins. It’s to help you become familiar with the concepts, terminology and practical thinking that underpin effective English-language teaching.

What you’ll explore

By the end of this module, you’ll have begun to understand:

  • Language analysis: How teachers examine language through meaning, form and pronunciation.
  • Language clarification: How to introduce and explain new language through meaningful contexts and examples.
  • Concept checking: How concept-checking questions help teachers check understanding.
  • Classroom instructions: The role of instruction-checking questions in setting up activities.
  • Pronunciation: How phonemic symbols, word stress and other pronunciation features support language teaching.
  • Language practice: The difference between controlled and freer practice, and how activities help learners develop confidence and independence.
  • Classroom observation: How experienced teachers clarify language, organise practice and respond to learners.

Who is this module for?

This module is designed for people preparing for CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL or another initial English-language teacher-training qualification.

It’s also suitable for new English teachers who want to strengthen their understanding of language analysis, language clarification and classroom practice.

You don’t need previous teaching experience, although a basic understanding of English grammar will help you get the most from the activities.

Learn by observing and applying

Rather than simply reading about teaching techniques, you'll have opportunities to observe practising teachers, examine classroom materials, hear teachers reflect on their decisions and apply what you've learned to practical teaching scenarios.

These experiences will help you begin developing one of the most important skills of an English teacher: thinking about language from the learner's perspective.

Pair it with Grammar Refresher & Language Awareness

For the fullest preparation, we recommend taking this module alongside Grammar Refresher & Language Awareness.

Together, the two modules help you move from understanding the structures of English to thinking about how those structures can be taught.

Ready to begin?

Start exploring how English teachers analyse, clarify and practise language with their learners.

Browse the course curriculum below to see what you'll learn.

Course curriculum

    1. What do I need to know as I start this module?

      FREE PREVIEW

    1. Revisiting Language Systems

    2. Revisiting Meaning Form, Pronunciation (MFP)

    3. Remembering your ICQs and CCQs

    4. Revision of key terms and concepts so far...

    5. Challenge: Wake up your language analysis

    6. Feedback

    7. Challenge: Wake up your course materials analysis

    8. Feedback

    9. What we need to consider when we present language

    10. Example Coursebook Material

    11. The rationale behind course materials and new language presentation

    12. Challenge: Identify the target language and context

    13. Pronunciation and phonetics

    1. Setting up Language Practice

    2. Controlled, freer practice and authentic use: let's test our understanding

    3. Ways to give feedback

    4. Check your knowledge of key language learning terms and concepts

    5. Putting our knowledge into practice I: Lesson material analysis

    6. Putting our knowledge into practice II: Quiz

    1. Receptive Skills: Recap of the key lesson stages

    2. Checking terminology

    3. Materials Analysis: A reading activity

    4. Materials Analysis Quiz

    5. Apply our knowledge

    6. Suggested Answers

    7. Glossary of Terms: Productive Skills

    8. Identify the productive skills lesson stages

    9. Effective productive skills lessons

    10. Materials Analysis: A Writing Practice Activity

    11. Answers

    12. Analyse a speaking practice activity from a coursebook

    13. Let's apply what we know to the following scenario: a speaking lesson

    14. Suggested answers

    1. What we need to remember about a lesson plan

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. What are the main ideas for planning an English lesson?

    3. Suggested stages for different lesson types

    1. English Teaching Pathways

About this course

  • £45.00
  • 38 lessons
  • 0.5 hours of video content