Teaching prepositional phrases to ESL students can be both engaging and highly beneficial, as these structures are essential for expressing relationships between objects, ideas, time, and place. Here’s a guide on how to effectively introduce and practice prepositional phrases in the classroom.  Innovative language.

🎯 What Are Prepositional Phrases?

A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition and its object (usually a noun or pronoun), along with any modifiers.

Examples:

• on the table

• in the morning

• with great enthusiasm

These phrases often function as adjectives (the book on the table) or adverbs (He arrived in the morning).

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🧑‍🏫 How to Teach Prepositional Phrases to ESL Students

1. Start with the Basics: Prepositions of Place and Time

Introduce prepositional phrases using concrete, visual examples:

• on the chair, under the table, next to the window

• at 5 o’clock, in April, on Monday

✅ Teaching Tip: Use real classroom objects or pictures. Ask:

“Where is the pen?” — on the desk, under the chair, etc.

This builds familiarity with form and function in a meaningful context.

2. Show the Structure Visually

Break the phrase into parts:

• Preposition + Object

• Example: under (preposition) + the bed (object)

Use color-coding or underlining to help students see the structure.

✅ Mini-task: Ask students to underline prepositions and circle objects in sample sentences.

3. Introduce Function Gradually

Explain that prepositional phrases can:

• Modify nouns (the girl with the red dress)

• Modify verbs (He ran through the park)

Give side-by-side examples and ask students:

What does the phrase describe? (noun or verb?)

✅ Exercise idea: Match a sentence to its function (adjective or adverb).

4. Encourage Speaking and Movement

Use TPR (Total Physical Response) to reinforce place phrases:

• “Put the book on the desk.”

• “Stand next to the chair.”

✅ Students can give each other instructions using prepositional phrases — this makes learning interactive and kinesthetic.

5. Integrate Reading and Writing Practice

Provide short texts and have students:

• Identify all prepositional phrases

• Replace or expand phrases with their own ideas

✅ Writing task: Describe a room using at least 5 prepositional phrases.

6. Use Games and Visuals

• Preposition Bingo: Students find matching phrases or locations

• Sentence scramble: Unscramble sentences with prepositional phrases

• Image descriptions: Show a photo and ask students to describe where objects are using prepositional phrases

🌟 Final Advice for ESL Teachers

• Teach in small chunks and recycle frequently

• Focus on function, not just form

• Use real contexts and visuals as much as possible

• Encourage creativity in speaking and writing tasks

Lesson Plan & Worksheet: Teaching Prepositional Phrases

📅 LESSON PLAN

Level: Beginner to Low-Intermediate
Time: 45–60 minutes
Topic: Prepositional Phrases (Place & Time)

Objectives

• Identify and understand basic prepositional phrases

• Use prepositional phrases to describe locations and times

• Practice speaking and writing with targeted structures

Materials

• Whiteboard, projector or pictures

• Printed worksheets (below)

• Real classroom objects

Warm-Up (10 mins)

• Use real objects to review basic prepositions: on, under, next to, in, behind

• Ask students: “Where is the pen?” and elicit answers like on the desk

Presentation (10 mins)

• Write structure on board: Preposition + Object = Prepositional Phrase

• Show examples: in the morning, on the table, behind the curtain

• Highlight use as adjective (the cat under the chair) and adverb (He arrived in the evening)

Guided Practice (10 mins)

• Students label items in a classroom image using prepositional phrases

• Pair activity: Describe where classroom items are (e.g., “The notebook is under the chair.”)

Worksheet Activity (15 mins)

Use the worksheet below. Students complete exercises individually or in pairs.

Wrap-Up (5 mins)

• Review key prepositions and ask a few students to describe their desk or room

• Optional exit ticket: Write one sentence with a prepositional phrase

🗋 WORKSHEET: Prepositional Phrases

Part A: Match the Prepositions to the Pictures

1. on the desk

2. under the chair

3. in the bag

4. behind the door

5. next to the window

(Insert matching image descriptions or have students draw quick sketches)

Part B: Complete the Sentences

Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositional phrases:

1. The pencil is ________________________.

2. She put her phone ________________________.

3. There is a spider ________________________.

4. My backpack is ________________________.

5. He sat ________________________ me.

Part C: Identify the Prepositional Phrase

Underline the prepositional phrase in each sentence:

1. The cat is under the table.

2. I will see you in the morning.

3. There is a clock on the wall.

4. She hid behind the curtain.

5. He arrived at 3 o’clock.

Part D: Speaking Practice

Work in pairs. Ask and answer:

• Where do you usually study?

• What’s in your bag right now?

• Can you describe what’s next to your bed?

Teacher Tip: Prepositional phrases become more natural with repetition in real contexts. Use games and physical movement to reinforce learning!

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Compare these preposition phrases and “the mistakes with prepositions” post. Click on the Prepositions category over to the right.

Most common phrases here are:

at a discount, out of breath, out of control, out of date, in time, in demand, by chance, by accident, on schedule, on the road, on a diet

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