How To Praise Your ESL Students: The Magic of Verbal Praise

How To Praise Your ESL Students: The Magic of Verbal Praise

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You do not always need to give away a treat. Learning verbal praise
is not as easy as it sounds. Yet, the more you praise, the easier it
gets to put this tactic into your teaching. A healthy dose of praise
works wonders.

Disruptive classroom behaviors do not go away like magic. It takes
both time and practice on the part of the teacher. Praise is very
effective if it is used appropriately. Students will know if the praise
is not sincere.


The following are some examples of verbal praise:

• Way to go!
  
• Keep it up!
  
• What good work!
  
• Top-notch!
  
• That's great!
  
• Right on!
  
• Great work!
  
• I am so proud of you.
  
• Wonderful!
  
• Fantastic!
  
• Super-Duper!
  
• You make me proud!
  
• How about that!
  
• Far out!
  
• Super work!
  
• Wow!
  

Read the following list to get an idea of things for which you can praise a student:

• taking turns
  
• participating in a lesson
  
• listening well
  
• learning a new skill
  
• having all materials
  
• being on time for class
  
• helping a friend
  
• staying on task
  
• using good manners
  
• entering room quietly
  
• keeping busy when work is finished
  
• returning materials
  
• asking questions when things are not understood
  

(Caution: You can cause more problems if you praise and it is not
deserved. Be honest and forthright. Give praise to all students, not
just the ones who make the best grades. You have students who may be
working up to their abilities, but not to the grade level of other
students. These students should get an A for effort and praise for
trying.)

This article comes from a great book called ‘Year-Round Classroom Tips’ published by Teacher Created Resources.