In my CLB 2-3 language class, I’m often reminded of toddlers learning their first words. My students, much like young children, are navigating a world of new sounds, gestures, and social interactions—sometimes with adorably direct, and occasionally awkward, bluntness. Take how they ask for help, for example. “REPEAT!” they say when it’s the only word they can think of to get help as quickly as possible. It reminds me of a toddler demanding attention, lacking the nuanced communication skills we often take for granted.  

That’s just one of many moments like this in the classroom. These situations provide great opportunities to shape our lessons and help students not only learn effectively but also apply what they’ve learned in real-life interactions. 

Learn It. Use It. 

I usually start my speaking and listening lessons with a focus on asking politely. Students have to use polite language when asking for help, which reinforces both learning and real-world use. Just like teaching a toddler to say please and thank you, language learning requires consistent, patient reinforcement. I won’t help until they use the appropriate phrase. It might feel a little embarrassing at first, but it’s really about creating a natural learning environment where communication itself becomes the reward. That’s why, when implementing this strategy, setting clear rules from the beginning helps make the process smoother. 

Navigate Cultures and Social Norms 

Most of my students are new to Canada—just like my toddler, who is still new to the world. Everyone is just beginning to learn how to follow social norms and rules. There are misunderstandings, partly due to language barriers but often because of cultural differences. 

Many students don’t yet understand how to be learners in the classroom. They’re unsure why their teachers don’t always respond to their needs, and, beyond the classroom, they’re sometimes surprised when people aren’t as friendly as they expect when they ask for help. This is an important lesson: language is a tool for communication that helps you get what you need, but it has to be used appropriately in social and cultural contexts. Take basic email writing, for example. Many students have no sense of how to write a polite email, even with simple words. They often start with “I request you…” thinking it’s the most polite phrasing possible. This kind of directness, however, can feel abrupt and even impolite. Again, these moments create great opportunities for lessons—showing students not just what to say but how language works in real-world interactions. 

Now, every time I plan my lessons, I think about what I want my toddler to be like and what he needs to learn to navigate social life in the future. I make sure my lessons include essential modules and activities that can be used and practiced repeatedly in class—making it hard for students to forget. It doesn’t matter whether they’re learning reading, writing, speaking, or listening. What matters is that they understand language learning is about more than just words. For newcomers, it’s about building a life in a new country, becoming lifelong learners, and growing into better, more adaptable individuals. 

Have you experienced moments where language learning felt like decoding a complex, beautiful puzzle? I’d love to hear your stories. 

Bei Zhang

Hello, my name is Bei Zhang. I am delighted to be part of the team to share my ideas and experience. I am currently working at Huron University College as an English Language Learning specialist. My job there is to help international students with their academic English language skills. I also teach ESL and LINC at Thames Valley District School Board, and ESL at London Language Institute, a private language school in London. I graduated in 2018 with a master’s degree in Education Studies from Western University, focused on applied linguistics and teacher education. I also have a background in human resources management. I hope that my unique perspective of teaching ESL in different educational systems can benefit the TESL Ontario Blog and our members.