EFL Elementary Teachers: Classroom Commands for ESL

The classroom commands flashcards have been a best seller in the TPT store. Use them to relieve your stress by having to translate. Don't be overwhelmed.Here is a link to the resource to improve your classroom communication. Useful for school counselors.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Commands-Flashcards-1816475

On the first day of class students learn the vocabulary related to inside classroom actions. Make it easy for them to understand and respond to the commands. The ability to follow directions requires daily practice.

Use the commands in class as often as you can. Using the word and picture flashcard will help students focus with all the directions given in English and help you not to translate. Most of the time students don´t know what to do when you give a command, the visuals guide the students to complete the action.

The imperatives flashcards are also available here: https://www.bilingualmarketplace.com/products/classroom-commands-flashcards?variant=36931765633188

Watch the video of the complete resource and check all the flashcards:

School Counselors can help English Learners by incorporating the flashcards as visuals for the students of all languages that need an extra aid to adapt to the new language, if it is in an English Language Speaking Country or at an English language school. Help your students connect to the classroom environment in an easy way. The learners will engage into the activities as they will understand what has be done,no matter their age.

Language is a communication tool!

Here are the Classroom Commands flashcards!

This set is for the younger learners. The cards come in the letter size for in a classroom setting and small cards, four in one page, for distance teaching. Many teachers display them as rules for their students.

This set is thinking of the older students and the clip art that I used is different. It comes in the letter size, one in each page and then a smaller size for distance learning,four in one page. Perfect to use for your classroom management and get better at your classroom expectations.

Classroom Commands flashcards printables

A video with all the flashcards!

The cards come in handy for the start of the school year to introduce students to the language to communicate with you online or not. School sucess will start if your students can follow directions in class.

Here are 4 activities for you.

Activity 1. Miming.Give instructions to the class and have them mime the command. Start with the listen flashcard. The students can touch their ear as they say listen! There are a lot more flashcards that you can use for miming.

Activity 2. Simon Says. I am sure that you know the famous game. Play it using the flashcards if you need to.

Activity 3. Scrambled words on the board. If you are doing distance teaching use a small board and write a command in a jumbled order and have the students unscramble it and write it down on a piece of paper and show it to you or shout the command. Then show the flashcard to confirm or not the answer.

Teacher: aeeprt

Activity 4. The robot. This is another famous game. Each student will be a robot that will follow the command given by you or a student. They can’t speak, just follow the command. After you say the command word, wait a few seconds and show the flashcard so the students that didn’t understand can do the command action.

CREATE puppets for easy directions to your class.

You can cut the picture and the word and glue it onto a craft stick.

You can make smaller puppets using the smaller set of commands flashcards for ESOL.

The use of this functional language should be clear, specific, and in a positive manner as in the flashcards starting with a verb. Students will do a physical response to the action.

Teacher: Sit down.

I created a set of commands symbols to represent the imperatives (included in the file). You can also put them on the board when you need them. Give orders by pointing to the symbol card. There are a lot more for your classroom instructions.

Don´t use questions in a commandclassroom imperative, it can be thought as a request, like whether you can do it or not.

Teacher: Can you please write your name ?

The correct form is: Please, write your name.

Use short phrases in an imperative form, as your lessons continue, add new words to the command verb. Repeat until your children are familiar with all these new words.

Teacher: Listen to me.

Write with your pen.

Grab student´s attention before each command. I use shakers or any noisy object , that will indicate the class that an instruction will come. Also, vary the volume and pitch of your voice. Use gestures and body language. Establish eye contact with the students when giving an order.

After giving the instruction, take the time to pause, wait, give the students the opportunity to comply, don´t threaten them. Stand close to the students when giving a command. Use some student´s name when giving a command. Be polite and respectful.

Teacher: Roberto, be quiet, please.

Don´t use commands as criticism. Teacher: Mary, didn´t you listen ? say: Mary, please listen .Touch her ear or show her the listen symbol.

Give the commands one at a time. Repeat maybe once, but not a series of 5 times each command. Even more when working with the youngest learners. Always praise the students for complying to all the commands.

Teacher: Please ,sit down. (pause) Thank you, class.

Take out your book. (pause) ( Ok, very good)

Open your book on page 12. (pause) ( Great, we are ready)

Too many and unnecessary commands are annoying . Think if you are giving commands that are not contributing to the lesson.

Don´t use STOP commands, such as:

Teacher: Stop coloring. Don´t color. All commands should be positive.

The stop sign is mainly for games, and used with the Go sign.

Collocations are words that can work together. It´s a combination of a verb and a noun. Give examples and have students make more collocations with all the other flashcards.

Teacher: Look at the board.