Pause and Point

This is crucial with novice language learners, but the truth is, it’s important whenever we introduce new words or structures to our students–regardless of their level.

1. For today’s class, what are the new words that are “must know” for you?
2. Write them on the board with English equivalents.
3. Every time you use one of those words, stop, walk to the board and point to it.
4. Wait.  Give their brains time to process.
5. Continue your sentence.

Do this every time.  It will feel so tedious to you.  Enjoy your tedium knowing that you have given your students time to process and begin acquiring the new words.
Bonus: if you use icing words (those extra words that are new but not “must know” words)

1. put them in a different list on the board in a different color.
2. pause and point to them, too.
3. Each time you do, tell them, I don’t really care if you learn these today or not.  These are icing words.  Just taking the pressure off that way will lower the anxiety in the room, and most of them will learn those words, too.