Teaching primary kids needs a separate approach than teaching other students. Specifically, when English is the second language. You need to use various skillsets and it could be a daunting task to shift gears and adjust your expectations.
Here, Ms Sonu Goel, Founder and Director of Cafe Converse Delhi’s top English learning institute for kids shares her views on starting the learning journey of the small kids.
Targets
There are two major language targets when one teaches kids in primary classes The first is to assist them to feel comfortable in an English-speaking environment and the second is for them to learn to identify, understand, and then use very little amounts English-like words, phrases, and short sentences.
Usually, kids have a relatively little attention span. So, they require a guided balance between activity and rest. Almost entire of their language input and output will come through listening, speaking, singing, and chanting. So, where do we begin?
Classroom English
It is essential to begin as you mean to go on, by speaking to the little ones in English from day one. Welcome them in the class in a normal chat-based, friendly manner, for instance, ‘Hello, [name of the kid], come in. I like your bag! Keep your bag here and you can put your book here. Now sit down on the seat.
Your students will not understand the actual words, but your actions, mannerism, and poise will be understandable and clear. By making this background of English, they will start to get habitual to the rhythms and sounds of the language and they will love it too.
It is essential to let the parents know what you are doing. Inform the parents that you do not expect the kids to be able to reproduce what they are hearing, or to be capable to translate it. You may wish to consider doing this in writing for the benefit of the parents.
A little bit of the language
At the beginning of an English course for the kids the target language for one lesson might simply be one word or one short sentence; for instance, ‘green’ or ‘I am happy.
In Cafe Converse, we teach these small amounts of language in several methods through pictures in the Student’s Book, through activities in the Workbook, and listening activities.
This assists the kids in naturally getting the target language through various sources. What is more, it also means that your courses have a good blend of activities; some active and playful and others that are more reflective and peaceful.
Yes, certain children will pick up the ‘surrounding’ language and form it. But it is essential for you to keep your vision clear in your mind so that you are able to see when everyone has learned what you were intending. It is simply to get distracted by the kids who pick up the language quite easily and to think that others are falling behind, when in fact they are not really.
Mixed and interesting lessons
One does not merely speak English. One whispers it, call it, chant and sing it, one plays with it.
For example, one starts with Circle Time (having the kids sit in a circle with you) and uses a puppet and picture cards to introduce the target language. Then, move on to the Student’s Book and look at the family from a specific chapter. Now the kids listen to it and then repeat the vocabulary. Then they have to chant with actions, sticker activity, and then a game.
In this game, one can use toys and the teacher or the children decide which family members they are. It is a game which the kids can play as a class, in groups, or by themselves. When kids initiate games, they play out situations that are meaningful to them and it helps them express their own thoughts, feelings and actions, and those of others.
These are some of the fun-based activities that let the young learners engage with the language early, specifically, when it is their second language.
Ms Sonu Goel is a professionally acclaimed certified ESL trainer from the British Council having 15 years of strong background for teaching the English language in both online and physical classes. She is dedicated to teaching of English in an interactive and practical way, whereby learners feel enriched with knowledge and experience the language hands-on. She uses creative ideas and aids to let the learning happen as organically and efficiently as possible. Ms Goel has travelled to various European countries and experienced an array of cultures and linguistic skills for the English language.
To learn more about Sonu Goel please visit : https://cafeconverse.com/best-english-tutor-coach-teacher-sonu-goel.html
