Padlet as Your Superpower: A Game-Changer for ESL and Classroom Engagement

As teachers, we have a LOT of stuff. It used to be stacks of papers on our desks; now it's digital stacks—which are somehow even harder to keep track of.

Throw in digital curricula, class recordings, homework assignments, websites, videos you found at 2 AM, messages to parents, messages to students... and suddenly, your "organized system" is just controlled chaos.

Oh, and let’s not forget—what works perfectly for one student might be completely inaccessible for another, depending on where they are in the world.

It almost makes you miss the days of paper. Almost.

Why Padlet Is the Ultimate Teaching Tool for ESL and Online Classrooms

That’s where Padlet comes in. It works internationally (yes, even in China!) and acts as a digital hub where students and parents can keep track of everything in one place.

It’s like a Trapper Keeper for the 21st century—minus the Velcro.

Why Padlet Belongs in Every Teacher’s Toolkit

Unlike some platforms that require a PhD in "Where Did That File Go?", Padlet is intuitive and easy to use. Everything is laid out visually, so you’re not clicking through endless folders or scrolling for ages to find what you need.

It’s like having a giant, color-coded bulletin board—without the risk of impaling yourself on a pushpin.

Top Ways to Use Padlet in Your Classroom

• Assign homework

• Share websites, worksheets, and downloadables

• Post and watch videos

• Exchange notes between student and teacher

• Allow students to upload their own videos and audio responses

How to Use Padlet for Parent Communication and Transparency

In each student’s Padlet, I share short videos explaining how to use Padlet (see video below). Then, Mom and Dad have complete access to all parts of the Padlet, where they can:

• Watch videos of our classes

• Read my feedback from each session

• See what assignments their child has from me

• Check on their child’s work

This setup keeps parents informed without turning me into a 24/7 customer service hotline.

Organize Student Work with Padlet Columns and Boards

Padlet lets you create multiple columns within a single board, meaning students, parents, and teachers can all contribute and see everything in one place.

It also creates a "paper trail"—so when a student swears they didn’t have homework, the receipts are right there.

I use one Padlet per student, and within each, I set up columns like:

• General Information: My schedule, instructions on how to use Padlet, etc.

• Class Feedback & Videos: A running log for parents

• Homework Assignments: Dated tasks, downloadable worksheets, links, and videos

• Student Submissions: A space for students to upload completed assignments

Under each column, anyone can make a post—homework, videos, feedback, etc. It’s like a group chat, but without the risk of getting sucked into an emoji war.

Other Ways to Use Padlet in ESL and Exam Prep

Aside from individual student Padlets, I also use:

• A Curriculum Padlet: A master resource with all materials (workbooks, flashcards, lesson plans), organized by level/unit.

• A Test Prep Padlet: One for organizing my own materials and another for student access in my self-paced course.

A Note on Accessibility in China

If you teach students in China, you know the struggle is real when it comes to communication and sharing resources. Many of the platforms and websites that work for the rest of the world are blocked.

While I use WeChat to communicate with parents, my elementary-aged students are responsible enough to manage their own homework, so handing assignments directly to them saves time and keeps me from playing middleman.

While Padlet itself works well in China, links to YouTube videos and Google Drive files won’t open. However, you can download and upload these files directly into Padlet to make them accessible.

Final Thoughts: Padlet for ESL Organization and Sanity

Padlet helps me keep everything organized, visual, and easy to access. Whether you teach students in China or elsewhere, it’s a powerful tool for managing homework and communication without the hassle of endless emails and messages.

Plus, the free version allows up to three Padlets—enough to get started! Need more? You can always get creative with organizing or upgrade for more storage.

Although Padlet isn't my ONLY organizational tool, I still highly recommend it! If you haven’t tried Padlet yet, give it a go! It might just save you a ton of time and frustration—and if nothing else, it’s one less tab to lose in the chaos of your browser.

Want more tech tools that save your sanity? I’m writing a follow-up post on how I use tools like Loom, Awesome Screenshot, and Google Slides for student feedback and parent updates. Join my list here to get it when it drops.