Emotions in the EFL Classroom: Why They Matter for Teachers and Students

 

Teaching English is not only about the perfect lessons plan. It is also about feelings.

In the EFL classroom, emotions can help students learn… or stop them from learning. Consider your emotions and their emotions.

In this post, we will explore why emotions matter in the EFL classroom and how simple strategies and resources can make a big difference for both teachers and students.

Common Emotions in the Classroom

Students may feel: happy, joyful, excited, nervous, enthusiastic, shy, anxious, proud, boredom, frustrated and I sure you can name even some more.

Teachers may feel: motivated, satisfied, tired, worried, stressed, angry, and a very long etc.

Emotions are normal—for both teachers and students! As teachers, we care more about how our students feel and forget about us.

How Emotions Affect Learning

When a student is anxious or bored in your class, you will see that there is a loss of focus and bad behavior can start. When a student is enjoying the class, your will see a positive response to all the activities.

On your teacher side, if you feel enthusiastic, you will show that energy in all you do. But, if you are burnout or anger, because you have taught so many lessons and your adult live sometimes gets in the way, the result is a very out of control lesson.

Simple Strategies for the teacher to Support Emotions

If I can name just one, I would say that a proper lesson plan is one of the most effective tools for reducing a teacher's negative emotions and stress. It doesn’t mean that the class will run smoothly without any bump on the road, but it will lower your stress knowing that you are fully prepared.

I have a lesson blog post series and a link to the template, here: https://eflelementaryresources.blogspot.com/2024/07/writing-warm-up-section-in-lesson-plan.html

Simple Strategies for the students to Support Emotions

For the students, there are so many things that you can do to have a fun, enjoyable lesson every time.

1.    Use emotion flashcards or feeling cards. This helps students name their feelings in English. I have a whole unit for emotions for kindergarten and elementary EFL. Here is the link to the Bundle: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Emotions-Unit-BUNDLE-for-Kindergarten-and-Elementary-EFL-7040440

2.    Start with Emotional Check-Ins. Ask: “How do you feel today?” Have the class or individual students do their best into expressing themselves. Use the poster that I will share at my store for free! Get it: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Emotions-Poster-and-Stickers-15904092

3. Use Games and Interactive Activities, such as: puzzles, matching activities, Board games, spinners, letter tiles, small cards and more. I do have so many games that are easy to print and pull together for your lesson plan. Go to my store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Holistic-English-Resources-By-Rosa-Amelia

3.    Give Positive Feedback to build confidence. I will hand in these FREE printable stickers. Go to the store and download: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Emotions-Poster-and-Stickers-15904092

4.    Include Creative Activities, such as: Drawing, coloring, and crafts. I include many of these worksheets and there is a craft for each unit for the Kindergarten Bundle. Click here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-ESL-Bundle-Thematic-Lesson-Plans-Flashcards-Games-for-ELL-7390586

My Experience

In my own teaching days, I have had stressful lessons, anger issues with students, social and political experiences on top. It wasn’t easy sometimes. I would just set aside all personal or external things going on and put on my teacher suit with my best happy mood and face, have my mind open for the best teaching and learning environment. I would always be prepared with my lesson plan, so I didn’t have anything else to worry about with lots and lots of activities ready for the kids.

My students would feel happy to see me, I was received with a smile. I would have great participation. Just standing next to a new or nervous student, to give confidence and assurance that the task is achievable.

That is why I started making games, visual support, and simple activities that has led to my store today. Click here, to check them out: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Holistic-English-Resources-By-Rosa-Amelia

I know that you have story about your emotions in class. Feel free to share here!

Visit my blog for preschool teachers here: EFL Preschool Teachers Blog. You'll find practical activities, tips, and resources designed to make learning fun and effective for little ones!

 

 

Can & Can’t Spring Verbs Activities for ESL | EFL Elementary

 This resource is part of Can as an Ability for Elementary ESL at this link: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Can-as-an-Ability-Unit-for-Elementary-ESL-4299251

Make learning “can” and “can’t” fun and hands-on with this engaging resource for young learners! Students practice abilities through puzzles, games, and interactive worksheets that support vocabulary and sentence building. Perfect for centers or small groups, it helps build confidence in a playful way.

These flashcards are a great way to introduce and practice “can” and “can’t” with your students.

The teacher picks up any verb card, in this case, is the verb “fly”. She holds the card. Students will participate by pretending to fly kites. To make the activity more interactive and hands-on, several kite cutouts are provided. Continue with more cards.

The teacher asks the question: “Can you climb a tree?” to individual students, giving each child the opportunity to answer using “Yes, I can” or “No, I can’t.”

In this interactive dialogue-building activity, one student holds the flashcard and asks the question: “Can you swing?” while showing the image for support. The other student listens and responds using a complete sentence, such as “Yes, I can” or “No, I can’t.” Then, students switch roles so both have the opportunity to ask and answer.

These flashcards may include some new vocabulary for your students. Use them to introduce new words in context or to review familiar ones, helping learners connect meaning with clear visuals in a simple and engaging way.

These small cards are perfect for hands-on practice with “can” and “can’t.”

This is a speaking game, where students sit in a circle with the small verb cards placed on the floor. One student tosses a bean bag onto a card and then makes a sentence using the structure: “I can…” or “I can’t…”

Students use the small cards as visual support to write sentences with “can” and “can’t.” They choose a card and write sentences such as “I can water flowers” or “I can’t build a house.” This activity helps students practice sentence structure.

A student places the small cards in order on the desk. This activity helps develop sequencing skills.

The worksheets support comprehension, fine motor skills, and meaningful language use.

Students complete each word by writing the missing vowel. Then, trace the lines to match each picture with the correct verb. This activity helps reinforce vocabulary recognition.

Students look at each picture and complete the sentences using the correct verb. They write the missing word in the blank and match it with the correct image.

This “Can – Word Search” worksheet. This activity helps reinforce vocabulary, improve spelling.

Students first trace the lines to match each question expressing their abilities. Then, they write simple sentences to recap all the personal can and cant’. Perfect for developing reading and writing.

Students first color the pictures to become familiar with the actions. Then, they cut out the images and glue them in the correct boxes to match each word. This hands-on activity helps reinforce vocabulary and sentence comprehension in a fun and meaningful way.

After completing the worksheet, students can use the pictures to make simple sentences orally or in writing (e.g., “I can climb a tree.”).

 “I Have, Who Has?” Game.

Give each student one card. If you have more cards than students, some students can have two cards. Choose the student with the start card. This student reads their card aloud. The student who has the correct answer listens carefully and responds by reading their card. The game continues in a chain until all cards have been read. The last card should finish the loop.

Puzzle Activity

Students complete the puzzle by matching each sentence with the correct picture.

Memory Game with Puzzle Pieces

These puzzle pieces can also be used to play a fun memory game!
Place all the pieces face down on the table. Students take turns turning over two pieces and try to find a matching pair (sentence + picture). If the pieces match, the student keeps the pair. If not, they turn them back over and the next student takes a turn.

Another fun use for the puzzle pieces! Students can sort the pieces into can and can’t using the labeled bags, helping them practice sentence meaning in an interactive way. The can and can’t labels are included in the complete resource for easy setup and use. The link is the beginning of this post.

Students can play with the board game as they move around the board, they will describe the actions using sentences.

Students roll the dice and move their token. When they land on a picture, they must make a sentence using can (e.g., “I can fly a kite.”). For an extra challenge, classmates can decide if the sentence is correct or silly!

Come join me on Instagram for teaching tips, sneak peeks of new resources, and classroom inspiration!
👉 @rosamelia_eslteacher

Easter Bunny Jobs Activities | ESL ELL | Community Helpers

Link to the resource to the complete resource:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Community-Helpers-Jobs-and-Occupations-Flashcards-2549710

This Easter Bunny Jobs resource was designed to make vocabulary practice fun, interactive, and meaningful from the very first activity. Students learn and review job vocabulary through hands-on games, movement, and visual support using adorable bunny characters.

Flashcards

“Who Am I?” Guessing Game. Place all flashcards on the board.  Pick one card secretly. Give clues: “I help sick people.” Students guess: “doctor!”

Great for speaking + listening.

 Bunny Role-Play. Students pick a card and act it out. Class guesses the job.
Add sentence frames: He is a waiter. He works in a restaurant.

🎤 Interview a Bunny. One student has a bunny with a job flashcard without showing to the group. Others ask: “What do you do?”“Where do you work?”
Amazing for guided speaking practice.

Students match each bunny job to its correct workplace by connecting the picture cards. This hands-on activity helps reinforce vocabulary, build associations, and practice speaking using simple sentences like “The firefighter works at the fire station.”

 

Small cards are perfect for quick, hands-on practice, helping students actively review vocabulary through games, matching, and speaking activities.

Writing Challenge. Students pick 2–3 cards. Write: “The ___ works in a ___.”
 Keeps fast students engaged.

Pocket Chart Sentences. Use the printable cards strips. Students match to each small card and read the sentence aloud.  Great for visual learners.

Find Your Match.  Give half the class job cards by cutting the cards in two parts. Students walk around to find their partner. Then, say: He is the mechanic.  Perfect for movement + interaction.

Memory Game (Concentration). Use the half cards parts from the exercise above. Place face down and match pairs.  Say the job name when flipping!

The worksheets provide structured practice that helps students reinforce vocabulary, build sentences, and develop reading and writing skills.

Students draw their own “bunny job.” Class guesses the job.
 Great for creativity + vocabulary review.

This “Match and Complete” worksheet helps students practice jobs vocabulary. Learners look at each bunny picture, identify the job, and complete the sentence by writing the correct word.

This “Write” worksheet is a simple and effective way for students to practice jobs vocabulary. Learners look at each bunny, identify the job, and write the correct word in the space provided. It’s perfect for reinforcing vocabulary, developing writing skills, and helping young ELL students build confidence using job-related language.

This “Where?” worksheet helps students connect each job with its workplace. Learners look at the bunny jobs and match them to the correct place, reinforcing both vocabulary and meaning. It’s a great activity to practice reading simple sentences and understanding where people work, while building confidence in using complete structures like “The firefighter is at the fire station.”

The games make learning fun and interactive, encouraging students to practice vocabulary through movement, speaking, and collaboration.

Spin and Cover Activity

This Spin and Cover activity helps students practice jobs vocabulary in a fun, hands-on way. To set up the spinner, attach a butterfly brass fastener in the center and add a clip to act as the spinning arrow. Students take turns spinning the clip and saying the job they land on. Then, they find the matching word on their mat and cover it with a bottle cap or small token.

This “Bunny Workers” board game is a fun and interactive way for students to practice jobs vocabulary. Players take turns rolling the dice and moving along the path, naming the job they land on or making a simple sentence like “He is a firefighter.” This activity encourages speaking, reinforces vocabulary, and keeps students engaged through play.

I Have… Who Has? Game

This interactive I Have… Who Has? game develops speaking and listening skills. Each student receives one or more cards. The game begins with one student reading:
“I have the (job). Who has the (job)?”
The student with the matching card responds and continues the chain.

Students must listen carefully and recognize the vocabulary to keep the game going. The activity continues until all cards have been used.

Come join me on Instagram for teaching tips, sneak peeks of new resources, and classroom inspiration! 👉 @rosamelia_eslteacher