Do you feel guilty taking a day off and leaving your ESL kids floundering without you? Feel worried that another teacher won't know the systems of communication you use to get around the language barrier? Do you struggle to make sub plans that are meaningful but able to be done independently by a second language learner? ME TOO! Read on for ESL sub plans for beginners and why you should take the day off!
Take the day.
When in doubt, take the day. Yes, I know that some districts offer a (very small) reward for never taking a day and yes, you can rack up unused days and cash them out when you retire, BUT sometimes you just. need. a. day. You know what I'm talking about; it's the week that just kicks your butt, you're overworked and (likely) underpaid, and maybe your kids were just off the wall for some reason. You love your job, but you're exhausted. FRIENDS: you cannot pour from an empty cup. Take the day.
You will be a better teacher and a better YOU because you gave yourself a day of rest. It's not a bad thing for the kids to have to figure out how to survive without you for a day (or even two). They will learn coping skills and they'll be thrilled to see you when you get back. Rather than getting frustrated and annoyed when they aren't listening, you will be able to exercise patience and strategic redirection because you took a day to rest and recharge. Take the day for yourself and take the day for your kids.
Invest in (or make) sub plans ahead of time.
One of the best things I have done for both myself and my ELLs is to pre-make meaningful, level-appropriate sub plans. I spent time in the summer prepping ESL sub plans for newcomer, beginner, intermediate, and advanced ESL. I teach all levels so I needed a variety of activities. I made 2-3 plans for each level and saved them fora rainy day. When I needed to take a day to recharge, I simply selected the plans that fit where my learners were at (or that connected with the season/holiday or grammar topic) and uploaded them into Frontline for the sub or covering teacher.
The other thing I did with these pre-made sub plans was make sure that I very carefully wrote the directions (and sometimes I put the directions in their native language using Google Translate). I did this because not all subs are created equal! As well meaning as some might be, there are subs who do not explain the directions and simply give the kids a sheet of paper and then crack open a book. Others, of course, are excellent, but there can still be a language barrier, so I wanted to make sure that my ESL students could be as independent as possible.
If you'd prefer to purchase some sub plans, that's a great use of your money. For a few dollars, you can save yourself time, headaches, and more hours in front of a screen. Check out my (growing) sub plan section on TPT.
Follow up.
Review the sub plan activity with your students when you get back to school. This lets your students know 1) the activity was meaningful 2) their effort matters and won't go unnoticed and 3) when you are out, the expectation is still to complete your work. This work will be collected and reviewed once you get back.
By following up on and reviewing the sub plan activity, you let your students know that the effort they put into it was worthwhile. For the students who did not put in effort, they now know that this is not acceptable behavior when the teacher is out.
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