Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Let’s talk about something that actually makes a difference in your ESL classroom from day one—desk mats. I’m not talking about cutesy decor. I’m talking about real tools your English learners will use every single day to stay on track, feel confident, and grow their language skills.
In this post, I’m sharing the exact editable ESL desk mats for back to school that I use in my classroom—plus how I differentiate them by CEFR level (A1 to B2), make them work all year, and keep students from constantly asking, “Teacher, how do you spell…?”
Why I Started Using Desk Mats for ESL Teens
Honestly, I created these out of necessity. My ESL students were constantly needing reminders—how to form a question, what “there is/are” means, what goes at the end of a sentence. And I realized they didn’t need another anchor chart… they needed something right in front of them.
So I made mats.
Not just one. Leveled ones.
Because a student just learning to say “I am from Mexico” doesn’t need the same reference as a student who’s writing full paragraphs about their weekend.
What’s on the Desk Mats?
Each mat includes grammar reference + visual support, tailored to the student’s level. And yes—they’re editable, so you can adjust them to match your curriculum or student needs.
Here’s what you’ll find on the mats:
- Sentence frames with visuals
- Pronouns, verbs, and common phrases
- Question words and sentence starters
- Examples of grammar structures (like “am/is/are + -ing”)
- Icons and color-coding to help students self-correct
They come in full-size (8.5×11″) for maximum visibility, and I laminate them or slip them into plastic sleeves so students can write on them with dry-erase markers.
The Power of Leveled Support
I didn’t stop at one mat—I created a full set for A1, A2, B1, and B2 levels so I could differentiate for the wide range of learners in my classroom. Here’s how I break them down:
- A1 Desk Mat – For newcomers who need sentence starters like “I am from…” and basic vocabulary support
- A2 Desk Mat – Slightly more complex grammar and vocabulary, with visual guides for forming present tense and questions
- B1 & B2 Desk Mats – Great for intermediate students working on more complex structures like past tense, conjunctions, and longer writing tasks
You can hand them out based on TELPAS, WIDA, or CEFR levels, or use them as progressive scaffolds throughout the year.
Yes, They’re Editable—And That’s a Game Changer
These mats come in editable PowerPoint and Google Slides, so if you want to:
- Add your own vocabulary
- Swap sentence starters to match your units
- Translate key words into a home language
- Or even add QR codes for grammar video links…
You can totally do that.
The editable version gives you the flexibility to make the mats work for your students and your classroom routines.
Want a Free One to Try?
If you’re not sure where to start, grab my FREE mini ESL desk mat for the progressive tenses. It’s a half-sheet mat that focuses on am/is/are + -ing (present progressive), and it’s perfect for warm-ups, writing support, or speaking prompts.
Click here to grab the free mat!
Ready to Dive In?
Here’s the full collection of my editable ESL desk mats for back to school:
Editable A1 ESL Desk Mat
Editable A2 ESL Desk Mat
Editable B1 ESL Desk Mat
Editable B2 ESL Desk Mat
Mega Bundle – All Four Levels
Free Mini Progressive Tense Mat
You can also check out the print-only “Survival English” mats if you want no-fuss, ready-to-go options!
Final Thoughts
Desk mats are one of those small changes that make a huge impact. When your students have consistent, visible support in front of them, it reduces stress, boosts independence, and frees you up to teach instead of repeating the same structures over and over again.
If you’re setting up your classroom or revamping your routines, editable ESL desk mats might be exactly what you need this back-to-school season.
Let me know if you try them—I’d love to see how they work in your room!
