Tosin Akapo

With over five years of teaching experience, I have learned that the most effective lessons are the ones that balance routine, play, and meaningful language practice.
When it comes to presenting new language, I rely heavily on visuals, games, and storytelling. If we are learning animals, I might bring toy figures to class and exaggerate the sounds: “The cow says moo!” The children laugh, repeat after me, and begin to associate meaning without needing long explanations. Experience has taught me that young learners respond best when language is anchored in something concrete, fun, and memorable.
In the production stage, I encourage students to personalize the language. If we are learning about family, they draw their own family members and proudly say, “This is my mother. This is my brother.” I circulate, gently prompting them to expand their sentences. Over the years, I have learned to celebrate their attempts rather than fixating on perfection, because confidence is the foundation for long-term success.
With every game, song, and role-play, I aim to make language learning feel natural, achievable, and exciting.