Course overview
Teaching English to children requires more than simply knowing the language. Young learners have different cognitive, emotional, social and developmental needs, and effective teachers need to understand how children learn and how to create engaging, supportive and age-appropriate learning experiences.
The Certificate in Teaching English to Young Learners is designed for teachers and educators who want to develop the knowledge, practical skills and confidence needed to teach English effectively to children aged 4 to 12.
Throughout the course, you will explore how children learn languages and how teachers can design lessons that encourage participation, communication, creativity and confidence. You will develop practical strategies for teaching the key language skills while learning how to use games, songs, stories, role-play, movement and other interactive activities to make English meaningful and enjoyable.
The course also examines classroom management, assessment, learner motivation, working with parents and adapting teaching to meet the needs of different learners.
What You Will Learn
The Child as a Language Learner
Explore the characteristics of young language learners and how children's cognitive, emotional and social development influences language learning. You will consider how to create a safe, positive and supportive classroom environment in which children feel confident using English.
Teaching Speaking to Young Learners
Develop practical techniques for encouraging children to communicate in English. You will explore pair work, group activities, role-play, games and other communicative activities that provide meaningful opportunities for speaking practice.
Teaching Listening to Young Learners
Learn how to develop children's listening skills through age-appropriate activities, including songs, stories, classroom instructions, games and carefully designed listening tasks.
Teaching Reading to Young Learners
Explore approaches to introducing and developing reading skills at different stages of childhood. You will consider phonics, vocabulary development, reading strategies, stories and age-appropriate texts.
Teaching Writing to Young Learners
Learn how to support children as they progress from early writing activities to producing words, sentences and short texts. The course considers handwriting, spelling, sentence formation and creative writing activities.
Teaching Vocabulary to Young Learners
Discover effective ways to introduce, practise and recycle vocabulary. You will explore the use of visual materials, realia, games, songs, stories, movement and contextualised activities to help children understand and remember new language.
Teaching English to Young Learners Around the World
Explore the international context of teaching English to children and consider how cultural, educational and social factors can influence classroom practice.
Assessing Young Learners
Learn how to monitor and evaluate children's progress using age-appropriate assessment techniques. The course explores formative assessment, observation, feedback, learner participation and self-assessment, with an emphasis on using assessment to support learning and motivation.
Working with Parents of Young Learners
Develop strategies for communicating effectively with parents and supporting their involvement in their child's English-learning journey. You will consider how teachers and parents can work together to create a positive and supportive learning environment.
Key Issues in Teaching Young Learners
Examine common challenges associated with teaching children, including maintaining motivation, managing behaviour, managing mixed-ability groups, supporting different learning needs and maintaining active engagement throughout a lesson.
Course Content
The course includes the following units:
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Teaching English to Young Learners Around the World
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The Child as a Language Learner
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Teaching Speaking to Young Learners
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Teaching Listening to Young Learners
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Teaching Reading to Young Learners
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Teaching Writing to Young Learners
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Teaching Vocabulary to Young Learners
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Assessing Young Learners
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Working with Parents of Young Learners
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Key Issues in Teaching Young Learners
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, learners should be able to:
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Explain key characteristics of children as language learners.
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Recognise the cognitive, emotional and social factors that influence young learners.
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Select age-appropriate teaching approaches and classroom activities.
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Develop speaking and listening activities for children.
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Introduce and develop reading and writing skills.
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Teach and recycle vocabulary effectively.
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Use games, songs, stories and role-play as teaching resources.
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Apply effective classroom management strategies.
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Adapt activities for different ages, abilities and learning needs.
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Use appropriate formative assessment techniques.
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Provide constructive and encouraging feedback.
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Support learner motivation, confidence and participation.
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Communicate effectively with parents and carers.
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Reflect on and improve their own teaching practice.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is suitable for:
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English language teachers working with children.
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Teachers planning to specialise in young learner education.
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New teachers who want to develop practical skills for teaching children.
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Experienced teachers seeking professional development.
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Teaching assistants and education professionals working with young learners.
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TESOL/TEFL graduates who want to develop a specialist area of teaching.
Admission Requirements
Applicants should:
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Have completed high school or equivalent.
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Have a good command of English and be able to participate effectively in an English-medium course.
Qualification
On successful completion of the course and meeting the applicable assessment and certification requirements, learners will receive a:
Certificate in Teaching English to Young Learners
awarded by Westminster College London (WCL) and accredited by The CPD Group.
Learning objectives
By the end of the course, learners should be able to:
Explain key characteristics of children as language learners.
Recognise the cognitive, emotional and social factors that influence young learners.
Select age-appropriate teaching approaches and classroom activities.
Develop speaking and listening activities for children.
Introduce and develop reading and writing skills.
Teach and recycle vocabulary effectively.
Use games, songs, stories and role-play as teaching resources.
Apply effective classroom management strategies.
Adapt activities for different ages, abilities and learning needs.
Use appropriate formative assessment techniques.
Provide constructive and encouraging feedback.
Support learner motivation, confidence and participation.
Communicate effectively with parents and carers.
Reflect on and improve their own teaching practice.