How to teach a big classroom of ESL students without losing your mind

When you have 30, 40, or even 50 kids in one room, you aren't just a teacher anymore—you are a manager. If you try to teach a big class the same way you teach a small group, you will burn out in a week. You need a system that runs itself.

Step 1: Create 'Teams' and Leaders

Don't look at it as 40 individuals. Look at it as 8 teams of 5. Pick the smartest or most responsible kid in each group to be the 'Captain.' If a student doesn't know what page they are on, they ask the Captain, not you. This stops 40 kids from crowding your desk at the same time.

Step 2: Use the 'One-Voice' Rule

In a big room, noise travels fast. Make a rule: when one person talks, everyone listens. Use a bell or a specific clap to get attention. Don’t ever try to talk over them. If they are noisy, wait in total silence until they notice. It takes a few tries, but they eventually get the hint.

Step 3: Keep the Activities Moving

Big classes get rowdy when they are bored. If an activity takes too long, you’ve lost them. Break your lesson into 10-minute chunks. 10 minutes of listening, 10 minutes of writing, 10 minutes of a game. Keep them on their toes.

Step 4: Use Peer Checking

You cannot mark 40 notebooks in a 50-minute class. It’s impossible. Instead, have students swap books with the person next to them. Go over the answers on the board and let them grade each other. It teaches them to spot mistakes and saves you hours of work.