There are many reasons why teaching teens may be considered a daunting task. Teenage learners face many social, academic, family, hormonal, and life pressures that can impact their classroom behaviors. However, teaching this age group is also a lot of fun, as they can be super energetic, entertaining, and inquisitive. 

In this blog post, I'll share some of the tips I've learned about teaching teenagers over the years. 

1. Get to know your learner

I guess this is my number one tip for any age group really. Knowing your learner helps you put them at the center of their learning experience and tailor your lessons to their needs and interests. 

In the very first class, have learners introduce each other and share their learning goals as well as hobbies, likes, and dislikes. Finding out what makes them tick can help you choose topics that will engage and motivate them. If many of your learners love computer games, consider delivering the next lesson on that topic. 

These Ellii tools can help you get to know your learners better: 

Autobiography - Beginner

Autobiography - Intermediate

Autobiography - Advanced

My Language Goals

2. Create a welcoming atmosphere

All learners want to feel included, welcomed, and important. This may be particularly crucial for teenage learners, who might lack confidence, feel socially anxious, or want their English class to be an escape from reality more than just a learning opportunity. 

Welcome learners into the classroom with a smile, learn their names, and get to know each one as individuals. Building rapport in this way can help strengthen relationships and build mutual respect for each other.

You can also facilitate discussions where students can share their opinions, thoughts, and ideas in a safe space. Encourage learners to listen and respond to each other with respect for differing viewpoints and cultivate an inclusive atmosphere. 

3. Foster social-emotional awareness

The teenage years can be an emotional roller coaster. Try to include class activities that help learners to become aware of their feelings and manage their responses in practical ways.

For instance, at the beginning of class, have learners select an emoji that represents how they are feeling. They can choose one on their phone or computer, or draw one in their notebook. Discuss the reasons for their emotions and things they could do to turn negative emotions into more positive ones. 

🥳 I am excited because it is my birthday today. 

😕 I am worried about an exam. I will feel better once I study more and relax in front of the TV later. 

😡 I am annoyed because my football team lost, but I think I will feel better when I see my friends after class. 

This blog post has more information and ideas about social-emotional learning: 

A Quick Guide to Social-Emotional Learning

4. Up the pace

Teenagers get bored quickly. A fast-paced lesson with varied activities will keep them interested. 

Here are some ideas to try: 

Ellii Polls

These interactive group activities allow learners to connect via their device using a QR code. There is an ever-growing selection of polls, so there is bound to be one related to the content you're planning to cover. 

Learners discuss questions and then share their opinions by voting anonymously.

They can then pause and discuss the answers in more detail: 

Ellii Flashcards 

There are over 6,000 Ellii flashcards, and the activity opportunities are infinite. They are perfect for teaching vocabulary and practicing storytelling, and they serve as excellent visual thinking tools.

These blog posts are full of suggestions for teaching with flashcards: 

12 Ellii Flashcards Perfect for Planning & Reflection

3 Tips for Using Flashcards—No Prep Required

(Silent) Videos

Ellii's Media Gallery currently has over 600 videos to choose from. These videos are perfect as the starting point of a lesson or as a complement to the topic you are teaching. They could also be used as warmers or as a way to switch the pacing and engagement in a lesson. 

Here are some ideas for your class: 

4 Ways to Use Videos Effectively in Class

4 Creative Ways to Use Silent Video Clips in Class

5. Get creative

Teenagers love the opportunity to express themselves in creative ways. Give them a chance to draw, do origami, create posters, cut up magazines, and make things from craft materials. This is the perfect opportunity to develop critical thinking and team-building skills too. 

However, creativity in the classroom isn't just about playing with felt-tip pens and glue. You can also get creative with projects, inquiry-based learning, and activity choices. 

Check out these blog posts for more ideas: 

Not Your Ordinary English! 8 Creative Ideas for Teaching Language Learners

Inquiry-Based Learning: A Quick Guide for ELT Professionals

6. Introduce competition

I haven't taught a single teenage class that hasn't got excited at the idea of a bit of competition. This could come in the form of a quick game where a student is nominated to keep score. It could also be a longer-term group effort where scores are totaled up monthly. For example, you could give prizes to the group who completed the most tasks on Ellii Classroom.

The prizes themselves don't have to be costly or sought-after. They could be as simple as a check mark on a poster on the wall or coupons to save up to get sweets, stationery, or stickers. 

Likewise, the games don't need to be intricate or time-consuming, either. Here are some I have found to be low-prep and highly effective: 

Spelling Race

Put students in groups. One representative from each group stands at the back of the classroom. The teacher (or a nominated student) shouts out a word. Students then race to write the word on the board with the correct spelling. For an added challenge or to balance a clear difference in abilities, you could have learners draw the word or write a sentence using the word too. 

Dice Game 

Put students in groups. Each group takes turns to nominate a representative to answer a question, spell a word, create a sentence (using the target language), etc. Once their chosen group member completes their task, they can roll the dice. The group gets the number of points on the dice roll. 

Alternatively, you could assign each number on the dice with a different outcome. 

For example: 

1 = 10 points

2 = multiply current score by 10

3 = lose all your points

4 = miss a turn 

5 = -10 points

6 = pass the dice to a team of their choice

7. Use technology (or don't)

The question of whether to use technology in class is becoming more polarized. Some believe the classroom is a space for learners to develop the digital skills they need for further study and employment. Others feel the classroom should be a device-free zone and an opportunity to get away from screens and deepen social connections. 

If you want to enhance students' digital skills, consider activities such as Ellii Polls, set tasks via the Ellii Classroom portal, or have them use digital tools to create blog posts, websites, or presentations. 

If you would prefer the classroom to be device-free, consider printing Ellii's PDF lessons for use in class and doing activities such as role-plays, storytelling, and improv. 

8. Give them independence

While most adults want to feel younger than they are, many teenagers want to feel older. In some ways, adolescents are in limbo between childhood and adulthood. Teens can't wait to be independent, make their own decisions, and choose their own path. 

An easy way to do this is to give them options in class. For example, let them choose whether they want to deliver a presentation, write a blog post, or record a podcast. Or have them decide whether to work alone, in pairs, or in groups. You could even let them choose the topic of the next lesson or which game to play next. 

9. Let them be the teacher

This is another great way to give them independence. It is also fun and a huge boost to their confidence. Plus, teaching knowledge or skills to others is one of the best ways to learn. 

My learners have always responded well to taking the whiteboard marker from my hand. It is often followed by a giggle, a smile, and then lots of examples and ideas I would never have thought of myself being added to the board. Students can use their own language to explain language points, tell a story, spell words, correct errors, or draw a diagram.

To make this more collaborative and supportive, have students work together to help each other. And, of course, you can always take the marker back whenever they need your input. 

10. Relax & enjoy!

English class is an opportunity to develop communication skills. The main objectives of any lesson is to learn the language, practice, and gain confidence. Teens appreciate it when the teacher relaxes and goes with the flow—and perhaps even throws the lesson plan out the window when the discussion is juicy!

If the lesson has gone off on a tangent and students are animatedly using their English skills to discuss Pokémon cards (or whatever), roll with it. You've found what makes the students tick! You are winning and they are using their language. If there is no imminent examination on the horizon, use the opportunity to teach the language that emerges from this conversation. 

These are my top tips for teaching teenagers. Which ones do you relate to most? What are your top tips or activities?