This article has been updated following the new ESL laws in China
I have been an online ESL teacher with multiple companies for over two years now, and there are definitely a number of must-have ESL props for online teachers. Props and realia are some of the best ways to teach new words and concepts to students learning English as a second language. Not only do I teach from my desk at home, but I also teach while I travel! Picking ESL props that can easily travel with you is an absolute must for being a successful ESL teacher on the road. So, what are the best props?
Mobile White Board – An Absolute Necessary
By far, I use my whiteboard the most in classes, and it is one of the most absolute must-have ESL props. At home, I use an actual small magnetic whiteboard. However, this can take up A LOT of room in your backpack while traveling. That being said, you still absolutely need a whiteboard available for your classes on the road.
The solution? Laminated white printer paper. You can get it actually laminated, or just use a plastic sheet protector as I do. They work just like a regular whiteboard while taking up minimal space in your pack! I usually carry a couple of thin whiteboard markers with me as well: always have a backup!
Fun Hand Puppet – A Must-Have ESL Prop!
For lower-level classes, I use my hand puppet for nearly every lesson. Hand puppets are an excellent way to visually show conversation so the student does not just parrot questions back to you. By showing them questions and answers with a puppet, they know not only that they SHOULD answer the question, but that it IS a question, to begin with!
I was actually given a pair of hedgehog mittens as a gag gift for Christmas one year, so I use one of those. However, you can create your own out of a sock, use a stuffed animal, or buy a cute puppet online! Cloth puppets are easily folded and packed while traveling.
Must-Have Realia and Pictures
Realia refers to props or pictures of physical items you are discussing in your lessons. For example, if the student is learning the word “apple”, you can show them a real apple, a plastic toy apple, or a picture or flashcard with an apple on it. This helps the student visualize and comprehend the new vocabulary on a deeper level.
Realia can get heavy and bulky really fast when traveling. I highly suggest having your most-used vocabulary printed or drawn on some flashcards! Which vocabulary you choose will depend on what levels you teach the most.
I have a picture of just a cartoon boy and girl standing next to each other. I use this image to teach “boy”, “girl”, “he”, “her”, “his”, “her”, “they”, “them”, and “theirs”. One image can go a long way! I highly suggest also laminating these or putting them in sheet protectors for protection in your pack and to allow you to write on them during your ESL lessons if needed.
Rewards
Finally, have a handful of rewards for different ages handy. Some of the most popular rewards can be drawn on the blank slide of the lesson! Tic tac toe, hangman, or drawing pictures are some of my student’s favorite rewards.
For physical rewards, you can get creative! One of my younger students’ favorites is rewarding them with real candy. I keep a small bag of colorful candies such as Sour Patch Kids, Starburst, or candy canes around the holidays nearby. As someone with a major sweet tooth, I usually have some kind of sweets nearby when I travel as well. Young students love to tell you the color of the candy and pretend to eat them! Some of my older students absolutely love to meet my pets as a reward at the end of class (when I’m home!)
An incredible VIPKID travel blogger has an Etsy shop full of printable rewards she uses. Rewards do not necessarily need to match the lessons you are teaching, but can help further extend on new vocabulary when they are correlated! These printables can be laminated for protection and easily carried in a plastic baggie as you travel.
Other Must-Have ESL Props and Rewards
Other props I regularly use include alphabet flashcards, a small map of the USA, and a world map. Students love to see where the countries are that they are learning about! Some will even pull out their own globe or map to find the country for themselves!
When it comes to rewards ESL props, have fun with it! While I’m home, my students love to see my pets, pretend to eat candy, or ask me questions about my life in America. When I travel, students enjoy looking out the window at hearing about the new place I am in. Your students are curious and will love to hear all about it!
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