Teaching intermediate-level English learners requires a different approach than teaching beginners. While these students have a foundational knowledge of English, their skills often remain incomplete in various areas. This article explores practical methods to effectively teach intermediate learners, focusing on lesson structuring, key teaching points, and activity-based approaches.
1. Understanding Intermediate-Level Learners
1.1 Language Proficiency at the Intermediate Level
Intermediate learners typically possess language skills equivalent to late middle school or early high school levels. Key grammar points include:
- Present perfect tense
- Passive voice
- Infinitives, gerunds, and participles
- Relative pronouns and adverbs
- Reported speech and conditional sentences
While they recognize essential vocabulary, they often struggle with applying it correctly in conversation.
1.2 Communication Characteristics of Intermediate Learners
Common traits of intermediate-level learners include:
- Understanding the general idea of conversations
- Enjoying English media such as YouTube videos and TV shows
- Feeling comfortable speaking with native speakers but lacking fluency
- Communicating using short sentences rather than extended responses
These students focus more on grasping the overall message rather than precise details.
2. Fundamental Approaches to Teaching Intermediate Students
“Mastering Every Skill Thoroughly”
Key challenges for intermediate learners include:
- Insufficient vocabulary
- Incomplete understanding of grammar
- Inconsistent listening comprehension
- Weak reading skills
- Lack of confidence in writing
- Difficulty discussing complex topics
To help students progress, instructors must systematically address each of these issues.
Tailoring Lessons to Student Motivation
Not all students aim for fluency. Some may simply want to enjoy conversations in English. Understanding their goals will help tailor lessons to their needs.
3. Activity-Based Teaching Strategies
3.1 Classroom English
Unlike beginners, intermediate learners benefit from more natural classroom English.
- Incorporate relative clauses and reported speech
- Adjust vocabulary complexity based on student comprehension
- Regularly check for understanding through interactive discussions
3.2 Listening Practice
Intermediate students often overestimate their listening skills. Teachers should:
- Ask students to summarize what they heard
- Use questions like “Can you tell me what you heard?” instead of “Did you understand?”
- Occasionally review the script to clarify misunderstandings
3.3 Drills
Drills should focus on structures that students find challenging.
- Understanding sentence structure (e.g., “If I had known his number, I would have called him yesterday.”)
- Applying meaning-based transformations (e.g., Changing “I didn’t know his number, so I didn’t call him yesterday.” into a conditional sentence.)
3.4 Dialogue Practice
- Focus on repeating key sentences rather than the entire dialogue
- Encourage students to practice without looking at the text
- Emphasize natural intonation and speed
3.5 Discussions, Speeches, and Presentations
- Brainstorming ideas (Generating discussion topics)
- Identifying essential vocabulary
- Creating an outline (Structuring opinions, reasons, and conclusions)
- Conducting discussions (Engaging in pair or group work)
4. Additional Support and Key Considerations
- Provide explanations in the students’ native language when necessary
- Encourage independent reading and writing practice
- Prioritize vocabulary building techniques
5. Conclusion and Next Steps
Intermediate English instruction requires a balanced approach that strengthens vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking skills. By applying these strategies, teachers can effectively help students bridge the gap to advanced proficiency.
Share Your Teaching Strategies!
Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments. Stay tuned for our next article on teaching advanced-level English learners!
