| Teaching ESL to children is challenging but | | | | and in pairs. |
| also very rewarding. Before I walk into a | | | | |
| class of 10-year olds, I take a deep breath. | | | | 4. |
| Children have no attention span AT ALL, and | | | | |
| so I tell myself to slow right down before I | | | | Review, Review, Review. New information is |
| start. Teaching children requires patience | | | | absorbed and has meaning when it is related |
| and a sense of fun and playfulness. Even | | | | to information students have already |
| though it seems obvious, a common mistake is | | | | learned. Quickly review new concepts at the |
| to think that children are simply 'short | | | | beginning of each class. |
| adults!' This is sure to get you off on the | | | | |
| wrong foot! | | | | 5. |
| | | | |
| Here are some tips for teaching ESL to | | | | Encourage students to correct themselves and |
| children: | | | | other students. Self correction or |
| | | | self-regulation is an important part of |
| 1. | | | | learning. Students should be encouraged to |
| | | | ask, "How am I doing?" and "Am I doing this |
| Involve Children in an hands-on Activities. | | | | right?" in an open and non-judgmental |
| Children's minds are incredibly open and | | | | environment. Children raised in |
| they learn by absorbing ideas and concepts | | | | authoritative cultures may need additional |
| directly. Children need to be actively | | | | re-inforcement. |
| involved. Get students up and out of their | | | | |
| chairs and moving around. Sing songs, and | | | | 6. |
| play games. | | | | |
| | | | Use what is learned in different contexts. |
| 2. | | | | The more contexts used the better, and the |
| | | | more concrete and 'real life' the contexts |
| Avoid talking for long periods of time. I | | | | the better. Make it real for students by |
| find that the energy level of the classroom | | | | talking about them and their lives. |
| drops lower and lower. Explain an activity | | | | |
| quickly and then go to it. Keep the energy | | | | 7. |
| moving! If your planned activity is a flop, | | | | |
| move on. Keep a few extra activities handy | | | | Praise, Praise, Praise. Encourage and build |
| for this purpose. Children need lots of | | | | students up in a natural way. Learning |
| stimulation all the time. | | | | occurs when students are motivated and feel |
| | | | good about themselves. |
| 3. | | | | |
| | | | Looking back on my years of teaching, the |
| Children learn by interacting with each other | | | | children's classes took a bit of getting |
| and with the teacher. Try to talk to each | | | | used to, but were the most memorable and |
| child individually each class. Whenever | | | | fun! |
| possible, have children working in groups | | | | |