English Mind Academy
Coach Field Guide
Everything you need to know โ on one page.
Section 01
The STGH Framework
S
Speak
Students should be talking most of the time. Ask yourself every 10 minutes: "Are my students speaking enough?"
T
Trust
Help students trust the process. Progress is slow and non-linear. Your job is to keep them believing it's working.
G
Grow
Know each student's real goal. Connect every class to it. English is the tool โ their goal is the destination.
H
Help
English is a tool for impact. Remind students that fluency allows them to serve, lead, and contribute to others.
The Three Pillars
Train Your Bilingual Mind
Normalize mistakes. Reduce anxiety. Celebrate every small win. Emotional safety comes first.
Real English in Context
No grammar lists. Teach chunks, phrases, and real situations. Less theory โ more use, more communication.
Fluency GPS
Every student has a destination. Know it. Ask about it. Connect every class to it.
Section 02
Before ยท During ยท After Class
Before Class
- Review the unit and presentation
- Prepare your own examples
- Flag any errors in materials before class starts
- Send a reminder message to students a few minutes before class
You can improve examples and activities.
You cannot change the methodology or objectives.
During Class
- Open with energy and warmth
- Students speak 70% of the time
- Facilitate โ don't lecture
- Give feedback in a safe, encouraging way
- Connect the content to students' real goals
- Close on Production โ students speaking freely (PPP)
The 70/30 Rule: if you're talking more than students, pause and ask a question.
After Class
- Submit your Class Report (within 2 hours)
- Flag any student concerns or red flags
- Message the group reminding absent students to review the recorded class on the platform
- Note one thing that went well and one to improve
Reports are not optional. They protect you, the student, and the academy.
Section 03
How We Treat Students
01
Safety before correctness.
A student who feels safe will make more mistakes โ and learn faster. Emotional safety is your first job in every class.
02
Celebrate before you correct.
Acknowledge the attempt first. Then, if you correct, do it gently and constructively. Never in a way that causes embarrassment.
03
Know their goal. Use it.
Ask every student why they're learning English. Revisit it. Connect the class content to their real life whenever possible.
04
Patience is not optional.
Adult learners carry years of fear and past failures. Progress isn't linear. Trust the process and help them trust it too.
05
Every student matters equally.
In a group of 6, the quiet student needs as much of your attention as the confident one. Create space for everyone to speak.
We never do this
- Shame or embarrass a student for a mistake
- Mock an accent or pronunciation in a negative way
- Compare students to each other
- Ignore a student who is struggling or disengaging
- Make students feel slow, behind, or "not good enough"
Section 04
Communication
With Students
Channel
WhatsApp (group only)
Tone
Warm & professional
Response time
Within 24 hrs
Private DMs
Avoid
If student misses class
Send check-in message
With the Team
Day-to-day
WhatsApp
Formal / urgent
Email
Response time
Same day
Red flags
Report immediately
Class report
Within 2 hrs
๐จ Escalation Path
โ
You notice an issue
โ
Message Coordinator
โ
Edwin (if unresolved)
Absence Follow-Up Protocol: 1st absence โ friendly message | 2nd absence โ follow-up with concern | 3rd+ absence โ activate Red Flag Report
Section 05
Top 10 Questions
What do I do if nobody shows up to class?
Teach the class normally and record it. After class, share the recording link in the group so students can watch it at their own pace. Log the absences in your Class Report and flag the situation to coordination.
Can I change the class materials or activities?
You can improve examples, adapt dynamics, and make activities clearer โ but you cannot change the methodology, the learning objectives, or replace a full unit. If you have an improvement suggestion, submit it through the Material Feedback channel.
Where do I find the class presentations and materials?
All presentations are in Canva, accessible through the Teacher Hub. If something is missing or you can't find it, report it before class โ don't wait until you're live with students.
What if I can't teach a class?
Announce it to coordination as soon as possible โ ideally 24 hours in advance. You are responsible for managing your own replacement. Never cancel a class without prior notice.
How much should I correct student mistakes?
Less than you think. During fluency activities, prioritize flow over accuracy. Save correction for natural breaks. When you do correct, be gentle, model the right form, and move on quickly. Never interrupt a student mid-sentence to correct them.
What is a Red Flag and when do I report it?
A Red Flag is any sign that a student is at risk of dropping out or disengaging. Follow the Red Flag Protocol in your Teacher Hub for the exact steps to take.
What's the speaking project and what do I do with it?
The Speaking Project happens approximately every 4 weeks. That week is focused on feedback and evaluation โ not on teaching new content. Follow the Speaking Project Protocol in your Teacher Hub.
What if a student is clearly above or below the group's level?
Notify coordination either way. For a student who is more advanced, give them more challenging speaking tasks and encourage them to support their peers. For a student who is behind, give extra encouragement, simplify instructions when possible, and never single them out. Do not ignore the dynamic โ it affects the whole group.
Who do I contact if I have a question not covered here?
Message coordination via WhatsApp. If the question is urgent or time-sensitive, add "URGENT" at the start of your message. For non-urgent questions, expect a same-day response during business hours.
Section 06
Quick Check โ How Well Do You Know This?
10 questions. No pressure. This is just to make sure the key ideas are clear before your first class.
1 What does the "S" in the STGH Framework mean?
2 According to the 70/30 Rule, who should be talking most of the time?
3 What should you do in the minutes before class starts?
4 After class, what do you do for students who were absent?
5 Which pillar is about teaching chunks, phrases, and real-life situations instead of grammar rules?
6 A student makes a mistake while speaking. What should you do first?
7 A student misses class for the third time. What do you do?
8 How often does the Speaking Project happen?
9 Where do you find the class presentations?
10 You can't teach a class. What is NOT acceptable?
