You have ten minutes, thirty students, and no photocopies. You are not alone. A short lesson can still be a good lesson, if you plan it with one clear aim.
Ten minutes can work
A short lesson does not need many activities. It needs one thing, done well. Choose one aim and protect it.
Today: say three sentences with "can".
One aim per lesson
Write the aim on the board. If an activity does not serve the aim, leave it for another day.
By the end, every student can say: I can swim. I cannot fly.
Use what they know
You do not need new materials. Use the room, the students, the day. Ask about the weather, the time, the lesson before.
Look out of the window. What can you see?
Repeat, do not add
Do the same short activity again next week. Repetition is not boring for learners. It is how they learn.
Check in one minute
At the end, ask two students to say the sentence. That is your test. No papers needed.
Say it to me. Now say it to your partner.
Words to remember
- aim — the one thing you want to do
- activity — something students do in class
- repeat — to do something again
- check — to see if something is right
Questions & answers
Q: How do I plan a ten-minute lesson?
One aim, one example, one practice, one check. Four steps, two minutes each.
Q: What if the class is too large?
Use pairs. In a large class, every student can speak at the same time to a partner.
Q: Can I teach without a book?
Yes. Use the room, the students and the day. A book is a tool, not a rule.
Q: How do I check progress quickly?
Ask two or three students to say the target sentence. You will hear what the class knows.
Q: What if I run out of time?
Stop after the practice. A finished small lesson is better than an unfinished big one.