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!

 

 

Fun Classroom Games to Teach Emotions to Elementary ELLs

 This resource ( printable emotions vocabulary game ELL )can be found here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Emotions-Unit-for-Elementary-EFL-2023631

Games give students repeated exposure to the target vocabulary (happy, sad, angry, etc.) in a way that feels natural and engaging instead of repetitive drills. Many games require students to talk, listen, and respond. This encourages oral language development and gives them confidence in using English naturally.

ESL emotions board game activity.  Since the board game path has only emotion words, students need to match to emotion cards to stay in their spot.   Students roll the die and move along the path. If they land on “angry,” they must find the matching angry picture card. If correct, they stay; if not, they move back one space.

This Emotions Vocabulary Domino Game is designed to build vocabulary, practice reading, and make connections between words and pictures. Students match emotion words like happy, sad, angry, scared, worried, shocked, and excited with their corresponding *emotion picture cards.

Playing the Guess Who? Emotions Classroom Game/ Yes/No Questions.

To play the Guess Who game, teachers should prepare a display for each student. A simple way is to cut the front panel from a cereal box and use the side flaps to staple or tape it so it stands upright. Then, glue the printable part  on the front of the display. Each student will have their own standing display to use during the game.

 One student chooses a card with an emotion. The other students take turns asking yes/no questions:
“Is she happy?” → “No.”
“Is he angry?” → “Yes!”

Build the Emotion Words with printable letter tiles. Give students a pile of mixed letter tiles. Call out or show a picture of an emotion (e.g., happy) using the wheel. Students race to build the word with their tiles.

Guess the Missing Letter. Teacher shows an emotion word with missing letters (e.g., s___oc___e____). Students use tiles to fill in the blanks and find the small card to match.

Check the flashcards added to this resource:   https://eflelementaryresources.blogspot.com/2025/08/emotions-adjectives-flashcards-to.html

There is an emotions BUNDLE available here:    https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Emotions-Unit-BUNDLE-for-Kindergarten-and-Elementary-EFL-7040440

Find creative resources and engaging activities to make learning English fun for your students. Follow me on Instagram for teaching tips, freebies, and more!

Follow me at @rosamelia_eslteacher for:

•       Fun, thematic ESL resources 📝

•       Classroom inspiration and ideas 💡

•       Sneak peeks of upcoming materials and tips for ELLs 🔑Let’s connect and make language learning exciting and interactive for our students! 🚀

I used the alphabet from Creative Fabrica, check my affliate link:    https://www.creativefabrica.com/product/groovy-smile-doodle-alphabet/ref/2670802/?sharedfrom=pdp

Emotions Worksheets & Activities for Elementary ELLs

 This resource ( Emotions Worksheets & Activities for Elementary ESL/ELL Learners – Printable Feelings Pack)  can be found here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Emotions-Unit-for-Elementary-EFL-2023631

Build emotion vocabulary with printable worksheets, games, and activities for elementary ESL/ELL learners. Perfect for teaching feelings in a fun, engaging way. Use this emotions/fellings pack in different ways (centers, pair work, whole class, extension for stronger learners)

Contraction Practice worksheet.  Students write sentences using contractions (He’s, She isn’t)after writing the emotion word.

Color the emotion on each face that describes it. Then, write the corresponding sentence on this worksheet.

Students draw the face to match the emotion.

Fill-in-the-Blank Worksheets to give students structured practice while reinforcing vocabulary.

Students draw their face inside the outline to show their emotion. Then, on another paper, write a sentence to describe the drawing.

This is a read the sentence worksheet and rewrite sentences using they’re instead of we’re. Remember to keep the emotion word the same. And, find a search the word worksheet along.

Read the sentence carefully in this feelings worksheet. Color the crayon as the sentence says.

Roll and Write – Emotions 🎲 Roll the die that comes in the worksheet and has previously assembled. Look at the emotion. Write a sentence using I’m…, He’s…, She’s…, Keep rolling and writing until you finish the lines. Then do an Emotions Probability Activity. Ask what emotion students have for number 1 and so on. Tally on the board. Count for each emotion and discuss: Which emotion came up the first the most? -  Which emotion came up first the least? And What’s the probability of rolling “angry”? (e.g., 2 out of 12 rolls)

Class Survey – How Are You Today? Students will walk around the classroom with the worksheet asking the classmates: “How are you today?” as they Listen to their answer (“I’m happy” / / “I’m worried”), they write the emotion on the line.

As an Extension Activity, Survey Results & Sharing. After finishing the survey, count how many classmates felt each emotion. Complete a chart or bar graph with the results. Share with the class: “3 students are happy.” “2 students are tired.” “Nobody is angry.”

This extension of this emotions worksheet combines speaking, listening, writing, math, and reporting skills, while making the survey more meaningful and fun.

Check the small cards that comes with the resource:   https://eflelementaryresources.blogspot.com/2025/09/creative-ways-to-use-emotion-small.html

Visit my store today to find resources that are ready to use and perfect for supporting your elementary ELLs. Your feedback is always appreciated as I continue to develop materials that meet the needs of both teachers and students.

Here’s the link to my store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Holistic-English-Resources-By-Rosa-Amelia

I got my clipart from Creative Fabrica. Check my affliate link:

https://www.creativefabrica.com/product/doodle-blank-faces-clipart/ref/2670802/?sharedfrom=pdp

"Creative Ways to Use Emotion Small Cards in the ELL Classroom"

 This resource ( Emotion Small Cards for ESL/ELL – Printable Activities) can be found here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Emotions-Unit-for-Elementary-EFL-2023631

The Emotions small cards are especially useful for pair and group work. Using small cards keeps lessons active, gives every learner a chance to participate, and makes vocabulary practice more fun and memorable.

 Students can play matching emotions small cards or memory by cutting the word out of each card. Then, name each emotion.

Find My Match. Give each student a small card (half the class gets words, the other half pictures). Students walk around asking: “Are you happy?” until they find their match. Once matched, pairs sit down together.

Speaking practice with the emotions small cards printables. Children can pick any card and make a sentence (“I am shocked”).

Emotion Charades. One student draws a small card without showing it. They mime the emotion. The class guesses: “You are angry!”

Emotion Wheel. Students move the wheel and says a sentence about the person shows (“He is worried”). The partner judge the sentence.

Emotion Bag. Place cards inside a bag. There is a label for your lunch bag. Students draw one and must answer your question:
Teacher: How are you today?
B: I am embarrassed!

Ask questions Yes/No questions with be using the small cards on their notebooks: Is she shocked?

Check the Emotions Worksheets & Activities for Elementary ESL/ELL Learners – Printable Feelings Pack in this resource:    https://eflelementaryresources.blogspot.com/2025/09/emotions-worksheets-activities-for.html

I've gathered interactive games, worksheets, and creative ideas to for this unit!

📌 Follow my Pinterest board here: https://www.pinterest.com/ei98srl/esl-emotions-feelings-resources/