ESL WAVE · Teacher Toolkit
Demo Lesson Tips
A demo is not about finishing the material — it is about showing how you teach. Structure matters more than content.
Before the demo
- Ask the age, level, class size and time limit
- Confirm if it is online or in person, and who the “students” will be
- Prepare simple props or slides that work at any size
- Rehearse out loud with a timer at least twice
A simple 15-minute structure
- Warm-up (2 min): a quick question or game to set the tone
- Present (3 min): one clear target — a phrase, grammar point or vocabulary set
- Practice (5 min): the students use it, you guide
- Produce (3 min): a short task where they use it freely
- Wrap-up (2 min): check understanding and give feedback
Sample plan — “I like… / I don’t like…” (Elementary)
- Warm-up: show three food pictures and ask “Do you like pizza?”
- Present: model “I like… / I don’t like…” with gestures and two picture cards.
- Practice: students ask a partner about four foods, then swap cards.
- Produce: each student tells the class one like and one dislike.
- Wrap-up: thumbs up or down quiz with three new pictures.
Do
- Set one objective and stick to it
- Use visuals and gestures
- Nominate students and keep everyone involved
- Show warmth and genuine interest
Avoid
- Talking for more than a couple of minutes at a time
- Overcomplicating the language level
- Running out of time with an unfinished task
- Ignoring the “students” in the room
From the ESL WAVE Teacher Toolkit — free resources for English teachers across Asia. Adapt freely for your own use.