Hey there, fellow English teachers! Let’s have a little chat about something close to my heart—something that a lot of teachers forget about, but that can make or break a lesson. That is learning outcomes.
Now, before you groan and say, “Ugh, more paperwork,” hear me out! Learning outcomes aren’t just for fancy curriculum documents or textbook writers. They’re for us—the everyday classroom warriors—whether we’re following a textbook, using a worksheet we found at the last minute, or crafting our own masterpiece of a lesson.
First, what are learning outcomes?
Think of them as your lesson’s GPS—they tell you (and your students) where you’re headed. If you don’t know the destination, how will you know when you’ve arrived? Learning outcomes clearly state what students should know, be able to do, or understand by the end of the lesson.
“But I use a textbook. I don’t need to write learning outcomes” … I hear you say!
Great! But have you ever noticed that some textbooks feel like they’re written for a magical classroom where students never struggle, get distracted, or need extra support? And every teacher is having the best day of their lives.
That’s where learning outcomes come in.
The textbook might say, “Practice the present perfect.” But what does this really mean to a student?
Writing learning outcomes isn’t Scary at all!
All you need to do is a simple ‘complete the sentence’ activity—just like the ones you give your students!
Start a sentence with:
“By the end of this lesson ____________” (fill in the blank!)
(The blank is what the students will know and be able to do at the end of the lesson.)
Here are some examples:
- By the end of this lesson, students will be able to write a polite email requesting information.
- By the end of this lesson, students will use past tense verbs to describe a personal experience.
- By the end of this lesson, students will follow and give basic directions using a city map.
Knowledge and skills: The key to well-rounded lessons
In general, textbooks tend to focus only on knowledge outcomes—teaching students the rules and concepts of English. But language is meant to be used, not just memorised! If we stop at knowledge, students might understand the what but not the how.
That’s why every lesson should include both knowledge and skills outcomes. A good balance ensures that students don’t just learn English—they can actually communicate in real-world situations.
Let’s break it down…
Knowledge outcomes – What students will KNOW by the end of the lesson
These focus on information, rules, and concepts students need to understand.
Here are some examples
- Know the difference between formal and informal email writing.
- Understand the rules for using comparative adjectives.
- Recognise common phrasal verbs related to travel.
Skills outcomes – What students will be able to DO by the end of the lesson
These focus on practical language use—the things students should be able to produce, say, or apply in real-life communication.
So, this is what it looks like.
By the end of this lesson students will be able to…
- Confidently introduce themselves and greet new colleagues in a business setting.
- Write a complaint email using appropriate formal language.
- Hold a short conversation about weekend plans using past simple and future tense correctly.
See the difference?
Knowledge outcomes are about understanding.
Skills outcomes are about action!
How to include both ‘knowledge’ and ‘skills’ outcomes in your lessons
A great lesson should balance both types of learning outcomes. Here are some examples of how you can do it:
A lesson on giving directions
By the end of this lesson…
Knowledge Outcome: Students will learn key vocabulary for giving directions (e.g., turn left, go straight, opposite, next to).
Skills Outcome: Students will be able to give clear and accurate directions to a partner using a city map.
A lesson on writing a formal email
By the end of this lesson…
Knowledge Outcome: Students will understand the structure of a formal email (greeting, introduction, request, closing).
Skills Outcome: Students will write a formal email requesting a refund for a faulty product.
A lesson on past simple & storytelling
By the end of this lesson…
Knowledge Outcome: Students will recognise and correctly use past simple verbs (regular and irregular).
Skills Outcome: Students will tell a short personal story about a past holiday using past simple verbs.
How can writing learning outcomes help YOU—the Teacher?
- They help you focus on what’s actually useful for your students.
- They allow you to adjust the lesson to match the students’ level.
- They improve students’ success by setting clear goals, allowing them to feel a sense of achievement.
- They serve as benchmarks for formative assessment, helping you determine whether students actually grasped the lesson.
Let me sum it up
Whether you’re using a textbook, adapting materials, or designing your own lessons, learning outcomes give your lessons purpose and structure. They don’t have to be complicated—just clear, achievable, and relevant.
And remember:
Knowledge is important, but skills are what make language truly come to life!
So, do you write your own learning outcomes? Tell me about your experience in the comments—I’d love to hear!