ESL classroom management Archives | Sunshine's Secondary ESL Studio

High school ESL students collaborating in small groups while using bilingual learning strategies in class

Why I Don’t Ban Native Language Use in My High School ESL Classroom

May 9, 2026 No Comments

For years, I believed an “English Only” rule was necessary in my classroom. Over time, I learned that allowing strategic native language use in the ESL classroom actually helped my high school students participate more, build confidence, and grow in English.

High school ESL students quietly processing and preparing responses during a classroom discussion while their teacher uses wait time strategies and sentence frames to build speaking confidence.

ESL Wait Time Strategies That Help Students Speak With Confidence

August 23, 2025 No Comments

Silence in the ESL classroom can feel uncomfortable, but it can also be productive. These ESL wait time strategies help multilingual learners build speaking confidence through structured support, processing time, and low-pressure participation.

High school ESL students collaborating and speaking together in a classroom after cellphone restrictions improved engagement and participation

The Truth About Cellphone Bans in Schools After One Year in My ESL Classroom

August 19, 2025 No Comments

I was skeptical about banning cellphones in class, but after one school year, my ESL students are more focused, engaged, and learning bell-to-bell with fewer distractions.

Top-down view of ESL classroom routine posters, commands, and first week materials for high school ESL students on a teacher desk

Everything You Need for the First Week of ESL

July 10, 2025 No Comments

This bundle includes four of my go-to first week ESL activities for helping high school ESL students start the year with confidence. Get your syllabus, routines, visuals, and speaking supports ready in one click.

Visual ESL expectations posters displayed on a teacher desk for a high school ESL classroom

Why I Use Visual ESL Expectations Posters in My High School Classroom

July 8, 2025 No Comments

Visuals make expectations stick—especially for English learners. These posters help reinforce routines, participation, and respectful classroom behavior in a clear, student-friendly way.

First Week ESL Slides displayed on a Promethean board in a high school classroom showing daily routine expectations

First Week ESL Slides for High School: A Simple Slideshow That Sets the Tone

June 28, 2025 No Comments

First Week ESL Slides help you build structure, reduce confusion, and boost student confidence from day one. Here’s what to include and why they work.

ESL classroom routines posters displayed on a classroom wall with expectations like practice English, be prepared, and make mistakes

ESL Classroom Routines Posters for High School: Simple Back-to-School Expectations That Work

June 28, 2025 No Comments

Simple ESL classroom routines posters can transform your back-to-school setup. Here’s how to build clear expectations that support confidence and participation.