Introduction Chapter I. Teaching basic speaking skills in English to Young Learners

Humour and Optimism

One of many things young learners excel at is enjoying and benefitting from pronunciation practice. This is best incorporated through rhymes, chants, games and in stories which introduce sounds, stress and intonation naturally and allow them to play with these. Children love a joke and one of many things we can learn from them is to remain optimistic and see the funny side when things go slightly sideways. You will inevitably have days when you don’t feel satisfied with how a class has gone and these are the classes from which we can learn most. Be patient with yourself, as well as your students, and keep an open mind. Children’s abilities can change markedly over time and it is important not to label them according to our expectations, but to allow them to show what they are capable of. Our beliefs about our students affect the way they respond to us. Talk things through with colleagues or if this is not possible, find a community online where you can share ideas (for example here) or attend a local workshop or short course to deepen your knowledge. If you feel under pressure from parents about testing, investigate all the different options available for young learners. Official language tests vary in format and content and some may suit your learners far better than others.

1.2 Why Teach English to Young Learners

English Courses for Children Build Lifelong Skills

Teaching English to Young Learners (TEYL) is a way to introduce English as a foreign language to young students. While children may not have an understanding of why it is important to learn a second language, there are many reasons that answer the question, “Why teach English to young learners?” For instance, creating a fun and positive learning environment can equip kids with a strong foundation for success in more advanced courses later in their academic careers.

Taking the Fear Out of Learning

One of the most important aspects of teaching English to young learners is creating an enjoyable and creative learning atmosphere. To most children, learning English is just another activity in their average day. Though it will take time for them to understand the future impact of what they are learning, the basic skills that these kids learn will prepare them for more advanced language courses.
Here are a few ways to add excitement to lesson plans:

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