How to Handle Sudden Changes in the LanguageClassroom

And not lose your cool!

We, language teachers, usually prepare for our days in detail: we know what our students need, we know the subject matter, we know how to deliver it. Teaching feels like a perfectly planned day…until the universe decides otherwise. These might sound familiar: a last-minute new student, tech meltdowns, surprise observations - the classroom is full of unexpected moments. But the good news? With the right mindset and a few strategies, you can keep calm and carry on teaching.

Surprise! Classroom Changes We’ve All Faced

New Students Without Warning: You planned for a nice, cosy group of regulars, but suddenly, there’s a new face (or five) staring at you, and you’re frantically thinking of a way to make them feel included.
No Materials: The photocopier is on strike (again), or you’re in the middle of a lesson, and the students can’t open your carefully prepared online files. And suddenly, Plan A is out the window.
Behavioural Issues: Everything’s going well until one student decides today’s the day they’ll test the boundaries. It’s particularly enjoyable when it’s an adult business student. Now you’re juggling teaching with classroom management.
New Tech: The school decided to upgrade to smart boards or AI tools, and now it’s your job to figure out how to use them…on the fly.

How to Keep Your Cool When the Unexpected Hits

Here’s where the fun begins—because even when things go off-script, you can manage the chaos (or at least make it look like you’re managing it).

Be Prepared for Anything: Yes, this sounds like an impossible task, but having a few adaptable activities in your back pocket is a game changer. Think low-prep group discussions, grammar games, or writing prompts. Create a ‘play book’ for yourself, add 5 activities you enjoy (yes, you, don’t think about the learners when you set this up) and that usually work, and choose from those. Never have more than 5 on the list - if you find a new activity you like, you need to remove one of the old ones from the list. Mine are: Find Someone Who (where the students prepare the questions), 20 Questions, Describe and draw, Story Chain, and of course, Debate.
Take a Deep Breath: When materials or tech fail, pause and remind yourself that this isn’t the end of the world. You know your stuff, and your students aren’t expecting perfection. Show them how to roll with the punches by calmly adapting. It’s best if you’re really honest about being frustrated, too. The students will probably respond with compassion. And in a way, if you think about it, you’re modelling a healthy way to deal with a difficult situation - something the students could ideally do for themselves in their own lives.
Build Flexible Lesson Plans: Make sure your lesson plans have built-in flexibility. This means having a backup for every step, from icebreakers to tech-based activities. That way, when something goes wrong, it’s just a quick pivot to Plan B. I know it sounds like a lot - and it is! You’re right! That’s why you should build your backup plan(s) slowly, over time. Remember how you had to anticipate problems on your CELTA course? And then suggest solutions? Start that again, but less formally. If you intentionally notice how you adapted the lesson, you’ll probably remember it better, and so it’ll be easier to ‘plan B’ it next time.

Real-Life Solutions to Common Classroom Surprises

Let’s get practical—how can you handle these disruptions without losing your sanity?

New Students: Start with a quick icebreaker that integrates the new students, allowing the class to adjust without throwing off the whole lesson. Pair them with experienced students so they can quickly catch up.
No Materials/Tech Failures: Always have a no-tech backup plan. Keep a folder of simple printables or activities that don’t rely on anything except a whiteboard and some enthusiasm. Also, consider assigning students the task of leading an impromptu discussion or debate.
Behavioural Issues: Keep calm and use the disruption as a teachable moment. Address the behaviour without escalating it, and redirect the student’s energy into something constructive—like leading an activity or giving input.

Building Resilience: Your Secret Weapon

The key to handling unexpected classroom changes is resilience. When you practice adaptability and stay calm under pressure, you’re not only saving yourself a headache, you’re also modelling flexibility and problem-solving for your students. It takes time and there is no perfection. But if you persist, you can create a calmer, more authentic and more effective teaching life for yourself.

Please try out the the ideas suggested above and let me know what worked for you!

Conclusion: Be the Calm in the Classroom Storm

Sudden changes in the classroom are inevitable, but with preparation, a touch of humour and some patience, you can manage them with grace. Remember, you’ve got this, and the next time chaos strikes, you’ll be ready.

This post is part of a series on navigating change in the language teaching workplace. Stay tuned for more tips on handling unexpected work-related and personal changes. Don’t forget to join my Facebook group for support from other teachers who are facing the same challenges.

Categories: : Wellbeing