Teaching Young Learners

The Young Learners Special Interest Group

will focus on the needs, interests and concerns
of those working (or training to work) with
pupils aged 4–12. This is a new and developing
area of ESL/EFL in Russia and offers exciting
possibilities and various challenges. The most
effective approaches to teaching English to
young learners are unlike any other area of
foreign language instruction and call for
special skills, methods, and techniques.

As a group we will meet monthly to define our

most pressing problems, to discuss how best to
share our experiences, to support one another’s
professional growth, and to exchange materials, ideas and suggestions. We will
promote publications and seminars for teachers of young learners and evaluate
resources useful for working with younger pupils.

Coordinator – Erin Bouma: erinrussia@hotmail.com

Practical Advice for Teachers of Young

Learners from the Experts
As head of the MELTA Young Learner’s Interest Section, I have come across so much valuable
advice from experts in the field. I have extracted the essence of the messages here in a more
compacted form and added my own comments in italics. I finish with my own guidelines.

There are Four Teaching Roles Relevant to Working with Young Learners:

1. As a Communicator: It is important for the teacher to be a conversational partner of young

children since they (like everyone else) develop their language skills through interactions with
more accomplished speakers of the language. But, when children are in groups, this role can be
very complex. Often more verbal children are spoken to more by adults and those with
undeveloped abilities receive less interaction then they need. The teacher must support children’s
language learning at various levels of development.

2. As an Evaluator/Assessor: This is an important role because it involves identifying children

with developmental delays or special gifts in language learning. Since children at this stage are
growing at different rates (mentally, emotionally, and physically), the potential of each child
needs to be measured individually. The youngest children should not be formally tested and
graded; in an activity mode they can frequently be assessed as to understanding and production.

3. As an Educator and Educated Human Being: Teachers need to be generalists in their

knowledge of the world because children are interested in almost everything around them. This is
a wonderful opportunity for cross-cultural, nature, musical, artistic and dramatic studies and
experiences. It is important for teachers to model themselves as people who love learning and use
many strategies for mastering new skills and information. The teacher should be the #1 Learner
in the class.

4. As an Agent of Socialization: This process occurs alongside language development, as much of

what we express is our own needs, interests, and concerns. Because teachers of young learners
must focus on the whole child (full of feelings, fears, hopes, habits, etc.) as we lead them into
new experiences and relationships, they need models and direction to more smoothly work with
others and reach their own full potential. Children at this level are adapting to being with others
outside their protective homes and need new coping skills and flexibility to work both alone and
with others. They may also be taking their first steps to form friendships and deal with new social
pressures and challenges, so teachers must be extremely sensitive to the class atmosphere,
individual sensibilities, and try to build an inclusive, non-threatening and spirited environment
for learning.

Mario Herrera, teacher trainer and co-author of Balloons (kindergarten) and Parade (primary)
believes the teacher’s role is special. He maintains that what is needed is “enthusiasm and having
fun in the language (including doing silly things!)”.

 MODELING. Herrera stresses that young learners learn by seeing or doing. He advises
that teachers demonstrate new vocabulary by showing realia, pictures or actually
performing an action. “By watching and listening to your modeling, children understand
what they must do or say. Modeling is the most important technique or strategy to use
when teaching a new language. Kids watch and listen, copy and learn. Do it often!”
 PACE. He recommends that the pace of early learner classes should be lively and
activities should be short. Then, since children like to repeat activities, they will want to
return to the same things again and again. He advises teachers to repeat activities as long
as the children maintain an interest.
 VARIETY. Herrera suggests that teachers plan a variety of activities that practice using
target vocabulary and sentences: songs, Total Physical Response (TPR) activities, working
with picture cards, conversation games, asking children questions as they cut and paste,
asking children to listen and follow directions, pantomiming and doing actions. These can
all serve to hold the children’s attention. “Anything with movement, chanting and singing
works well,” he says.
 TPR. Total Physical Response lets you put children’s natural energy to use to learn
English. He reports “This approach is ideal for young learners whose verbal abilities are
still underdeveloped and even the shyest children like it because there is no speaking
involved. It provides intense listening practice of basic language as children physically
respond to commands. Children show they understand the action by acting it out and they
can feel successful at English from the very beginning.”
 PARTICIPATION. Planned activities, he says, must be designed for children’s active
participation and variety. “By doing different things children can experience the world and
English together. Children naturally enjoy participating, and learn as they do! Let them
feel the roundness of a circle with their hands, or walk through a hoop to understand
‘through’. Such activities allow children to communicate in a very natural way.”
 MATERIALS. “Using materials that are appealing to children also maintains a high
interest level: toys, puppets, masks, pictures, cutouts, their drawings, and cards – cards to
 hang around necks, to play games with, to hold up and put somewhere while listening,
etc.” He recommends using paper of different sizes, colors, textures when you make
materials and use crayons, markers and paints.
 FEEDBACK. Herrera explains “that children need to know if they are doing something
right or wrong. Feedback must be given carefully, however. Catch them doing something
right and give them lots of praise. Correct them sensitively, taking pains not to single out
or embarrass an individual (have the whole group practice the correct pronunciation
together) Most of all, repeat the correct version, sometimes overemphasizing so they get
the correct way of saying it.”

I feel it is most important for teachers of young learners to develop pacing through a variety of
shorter activities to work with the limited attention spans of younger pupils. Also I could not
imagine working with this age level without lots of visual and manipulative materials. When one
teacher asked me how long it took me to build up my bank of activity materials (which is still
growing) I responded that 1) it can be fun to produce colorful and interesting materials that you
can use again and again, and 2) children need concrete objects, visual displays and things they
can touch, hold and work with to connect the real world with the language that naturally goes
with it (here, in a foreign language).

In her “Tips for Teachers of Children” Helene Jarmol Uchida, teacher-trainer, Director Little
America English Schools (Japan) and author of The Challenge Book (elementary students)
stresses that “Elementary children are the most gratifying age level to work with. Why? Because
they possess three very important conditions before they even enter the classroom: they are
naturally cooperative, curious and the least self-conscious of all students.” She goes on to give
eleven points she feels are the most important to remember:

l. Make fair and consistent rules, clear from the first day of class.

2. Remember students’ names. Use names often when teaching.

3. Show students what to do. Don’t explain. Just do. Just be. English needs to be experienced, not
explained.

4. Nourish trust between you and the students of each class. Let them know you will never
embarrass them for making a mistake in English.

5. Use eye contact to communicate your praise and disappointment.

6. Create well-planned, consistent lessons with a predictable format giving students a sense of
security and balance.

7. Always be pleasantly surprised when students interact with each other or you in English.

8. Reassure your students that you understand their English and you approve of their attempts.

9. Show respect to the children and let them sometimes be teacher.

10. Use English as a tool to build their self-esteem.

11. Remember childhood through your students.

This director of Japanese language schools is especially concerned with setting the right
atmosphere in the classroom. I think two of her points would make outstanding mottos for all of
us: “Don’t explain. Just Do.” And “Remember childhood through your students.”

Young ESL Learners, Maria Spelleri of the Literacy Council of Sarasota (Florida) reports,
respond enthusiastically to the following classroom activities and approaches:

1. Drama and role-play, especially if costumes and props are used.

2. Using a ball to pass around, or an egg timer to turn dull classes into games, competitions.

3. Doing a project that raises awareness of other children in the world.

4. Take photos in class and use a Polaroid camera on occasion for instant gratification and
classroom fun.

5. Give kids some “power” and choices. Let the kids take attendance, call the class to order,
dismiss the class, sometimes choose between lesson alternatives, etc. (works up to age 8).

I feel Ms. Spelleri is on to something when she promotes empowering younger students in the
classroom so it truly “belongs” to them. She also sees the role of English class to help raise
children’s international awareness through relating to children of other lands.

When asked, “What can we do with Young Learners (4-8)?” Jane Delaney, a teacher-trainer in
the Cambridge-RSA Young Learners Training Course, and Director of Studies, International
House, Tarragona, Spain, replied, “Try to educate the whole child. What we do in the classroom
with them forms a part of their entire learning experience. Young children are like sponges. The
teacher’s objective must be to stimulate them in any way she can.”

In contrast, she explained that teenagers develop “the boredom factor at school”, but very young
children have a great interest in the world around them and seemed to be interested in everything.

So, she asks, “How can we create children’s need for a second language? If the teacher shows that
she likes being with them, children naturally want to please the teacher and want to find out more
about her. If children become involved in the classes they are motivated.”

She continues with another question and answers it: Why are some teachers afraid of very young
learners? A lot of new teachers fear the unknown. They think their classes will become a zoo and
the kids will eat them alive! What many inexperienced teachers need before they come to class is:
1) some knowledge about cognitive development of their students; 2) what students are capable
of in their own language; 3) what our expectations are of the particular age group; and 4) help
with classroom management. Delaney believes the optimum class size with very young learners
is 8-10 students. The classroom should be spacious for a number of different activities. She
concludes by sharing, “Children are capable of so much, they can do much more than they are
given credit for. We often hold them back because we are afraid.”

It is so true how she contrasts teenage student attitudes with the eagerness of younger pupils
Because she sees the teacher-pupil relationship as crucial, the fact that teachers fear their
charges and underestimate their ability to learn is a judgment on our profession for “holding
students back” rather than setting them free.

Another expert, Margaret Lo, CELTYL teacher-training courses, Head of the Young Learners
unit, British Council, Hong Kong, also discusses teacher’s attitudes towards young learners. She
also emphasizes that teachers must focus on children’s whole development. She recommends a
cross-curricular, activity-based approach, where children are engaging in meaningful tasks and
activities. “Then, she says, “children use English genuinely, learn something new, and develop as
whole people”.

It is important to “see children as unique individuals. Give them a voice in the classroom to
choose which song to sing or decide the topic of a project.” In fact, “Make the whole classroom
experience meaningful in the moment, through activities intrinsically interesting and engaging
from the child’s viewpoint.”

I agree children must be educated holistically and language related to the whole of their reality.
Pupils should also be empowered in class and valued as unique beings.

David Nunan of the University of Hong Kong asks “How young is young in Young Learners?”
He believes that the important factors in introducing English to very young students are the
amount of time kids are given, the competence and training of teachers, and the quality of
resources. Most importantly, is the need to effectively exploit the natural learning abilities of
young learners.

Nunan is concerned about the “great danger that children will be turned off English early if it is
done badly. In that case,” he advises, “it should not be attempted. But if it is done well, then kids
love it and thrive!” With beginners he has two principles: 1) Avoid overload – select key
grammar, vocabulary, etc. stuff that learners are familiar with in their own context and 2)
Recycle.

In Nunan’s experience the order of acquisition is not critical. “Regardless of the tense you
use/introduce, students won’t ‘get it’ until they’ve encountered the target structure in lots of
different contexts and environments in many different situations. So students’ understanding will
naturally be partial and piecemeal.” He advocates something like “guided acquisition” where the
teacher helps learners to “notice” about how language works.

Mr. Nunan’s wise counsel insists that young learners be approached by teachers who know what
they are doing, not be given too much and be given time to digest new material.

Working with Children in an Activity-Based Environment

1. Establish a class behavior code. Remember that interest and involvement are the best forms of
motivation.

2. A good teacher knows that learning takes place during quiet times (drawing, cutting, gluing).
Chatting to children while they work is part of teaching.

3. The priority must be the working relationship with children, taking the role of teacher, parent,
friend and organizer.

4. Children learn best when they can experience and experiment for themselves by doing. This
means child-centered activities.

5. Children need to use their hands and bodies to express and experience language. The teacher
should focus on physical responses rather than just speaking correctly. Appropriate body language
sends messages, too.

6. The pacing of a children’s class must be based on experience and intuition. Be sure not to work
too fast through the material. Slow down and exploit each experience for the benefit of the
children.

Priorities

1. Build confidence through a supportive environment (called “scaffolding”); give children a

sense of security to take risks.

2. Children should experience English.

3. Teach children to communicate with what vocabulary and structures they have; use language as
a tool for real communication.

4. Show that learning English is fun.

5. Establish trusting relationship between yourself and the children (and also between children)

6. Give children the experience of a wide range of language functions and experiences in a non-
threatening environment.

7. Avoid correcting children in class.

8. Give correct language examples to a group of bright students and let them teach the others/each
other.

9. Accept good tries. Don’t insist on perfection. Mistake-making is an important part of language learning.

Do Don’t...
Use English as the language of instruction. Use Give explanations and directions in
it to give directions as part of the English lesson. the native language. This cheats
pupils of their motivation to
Speak in short sentences, and discrete phrases. understand. They will become lazy
Pronounce clearly and slowly, looking directly and wait for the Russian instead of
at the class. Write clearly, using print. reaching to understanding.

Act out meanings, or use props, objects, Confuse pupils with

pictures, or gestures to make meanings clear. incomprehensible language.
Pause after each sentence or phrase to associate Speeches, lectures, explanations and
it with a set of sounds. directions without clues to meaning
are boring and not useful.
Repeat cheerfully and patiently and continue to
associate clues to meaning with your words as Rely on only the spoken word.
long as needed. Pupils need more visual and tactile
stimulation and often need to be
Gain a sense of pacing, that approaches life and physically active.
the world holistically. Less is more, if a subject
can be approached in many ways, connecting to Expect pupils to grasp new material
other disciplines and in song, verse, and the first time through. Remember
pictures. they have many years ahead to fully
master things.
Check each pupil’s comprehension by: 1) giving
directions to follow and 2) asking yes/no or one- Race through a coursebook or
word answer questions. curriculum, but also don’t drag out a
point when students have lost
Take the pressure off pupils to produce new interest.
language “cold”. Walk a pupil through how to
follow instructions as you speak. Always resort to translation back to
the mother tongue. This prevents
Allow children to be children and bring their students from starting to think
natural motivation and curiosity to learning. naturally in English and invites
them to speak to you in Russian.
Encourage children to act out or draw a picture
of their intended meanings when they don’t have Focus on tests as the only measure
the vocabulary to communicate. of one’s language skills and marks
as the only reward for
Play with language and be free to act silly, communication skills gained.
making up rhymes and songs, telling stories,
talking even “nonsense” and playing playing Put individual pupils on the spot to
with sounds. produce language or respond if they
are unlikely to be able to accomplish
Encourage the use of picture dictionaries it. This creates “mental static
(bilingual and mono-lingual) so that students anxiety”, and sets them up to fail.
take some responsibility for their own learning.
Teach dictionary skills, including the Expect young learners to think like
fundamentals of alphabetical order. older learners, needing logical
explanations for new material.
Remember to use lots of “pleases” and “thank
yous” and encourage them in classroom
relationships. And always show your pupils
respect, dignity and a good and polite example.

By Erin Bouma