Visuals are a teacher’s best friend. Then old saying, “A picture tells a thousand words”, is true when it comes to ESL teaching. Pictures can be used to engage students, to promote discussion, to illustrate vocabulary items, to concept check understanding, to add a visual element to the classroom, and to promote creativity. They are a great teaching tool to connect with visual learners.

Picture dictionaries are an invaluable tool for low level students. Flashcards can also be great to use for games in the classroom. Even adults enjoy playing “Go Fish” while practicing verb tenses using action cards, or “Guess Who” with job cards.

Overhead projectors may seem old school, but they are great to use in the classroom because they allow us to manipulate what we show at any one time. The same can be said for a PowerPoint slideshow. When using overhead displays, try using overlaying sheets with shapes cut out to add a level of creativity.

Realia (real items) are also very effective visual aids in the classroom. Bring in actual items that are tangible. By passing them around to the students, you will be able to appeal to kinesthetic learners as well.