How to finish your lessons strongly [2 min read]

Having a strong end to a lesson is such an essential part of your planning, but something that can easily be missed or ignored in the general stress and craziness of teaching!

So, here are my top 5 tips for making sure you have a great, and not chaotic, end to every lesson...

1. Allocate at least five minutes at the end of each lesson for packing away and conducting a plenary activity. This shouldn't be rushed or skipped - it's crucial for drawing together the learning and ensuring an orderly end to the lesson.

2. Establish a clear end-of-lesson routine as it supports effective classroom and behaviour management. When students know what to expect, it helps maintain order and shows that you, as the teacher, are in control of the learning environment.

3. Use plenary activities that can be done without books or pens once everything is packed away. Games like Corner Game, Hot Seat, or simple vocabulary quizzes work well when students are standing behind their chairs, ready to leave.

4. Use the plenary to assess learning - this helps you identify any gaps in understanding and informs your planning for the next lesson. It shows whether you need to revisit certain topics or can move on to new material.

5. Make sure the classroom is left tidy, with students taking responsibility for cleaning up their area. This helps develop pride in the learning environment and shows respect for the next class using the room.

If you'd like more details about these ideas, head to:

- The Kate Languages Podcast Season 2 Episode 5, which you can find here.

- Structuring an Outstanding MFL Lesson digital course, which is here.