The students will benefit greatly from knowing what is expected of them and what they need to do by having routines to follow. Routines will help them to be confident and secure in the classroom. This article offers teachers some tips for establishing routines.

To successfully establish routines it is a good idea to know what areas the routines will cover and the form that they will take. Some examples of areas that relate to the classroom include the following:

1) Greetings - When entering the classroom it is a good formality to have the students be quiet, stand up and address you with a greeting. The students need to be taught this routine and then it will become a habit.
2) Register - Every class should have their attendance checked. This is a good routine to follow after the initial greeting. Students learn how to respond to the register check.
3) Starting lessons - Students learn how to behave and prepare themselves for the beginning of the lesson. Should they have their books ready on their desk or have a clear desk?
4) Groups - Knowing what their group or pair is will help them to organise themselves when asked to prepare for a group or pair activity.
5) Attention - Having a signal that communicates to the students what they need to do.
6) Activities - How should the students start and stop activities?
7) Books and Sheets - How should they be collected and given out? The students could learn to put their hands up for the teacher to select the students to help.
8) Homework - How should it be given out and collected?
9) Toilet - How should a student request permission to go to the toilet. Should they be allowed to go on their own and during class time?
10) Finish - How should the class end? Should the students stand up and thank the teacher at the end of every lesson?

Ed likes writing articles about many different topics. You are welcome to visit his new website at http://eslenglish.org which offers people useful information about ESL English and teaching.