Planning is important for teachers as it gives them confidence and acts as a map to follow when teaching. While plans do not need to be followed exactly, they help identify learning aims and anticipate potential issues. Effective planning considers students' backgrounds, motivation levels, learning styles, and exam requirements. It also balances activities, language skills and content to practice within topics. Planning can range from vague corridor plans to formal documented plans. Essential elements of plans include class description, timetable fit, aims, activities with details, anticipated problems, additional possibilities, and examples. Planning also considers sequences of lessons with short and long-term goals, thematic strands, language recycling, and balanced activities. Plans provide flexibility but also allow diversion and addressing