Language exams can be taken at pretty much any age possible - very young learners included! There are many opinions for and against examining children. Some people believe that we need to prepare to take exams early on, and get ready for the adult world, filled with examinations, courses and certificates. Others believe that children… Continue reading Starters – Listening Part 4 – FRUIT!
Tag: Young Learners
What fills your heart?
The day of love is swiftly coming our way and there's no way but celebrate it - especially with the young students! The trick is that young learners don't think about love romantically, and I think that there is no better day to show them that there are so many different types of love. All… Continue reading What fills your heart?
The horror of teaching Young Learners
I feel like this post needs a little disclaimer, so here it goes. Disclaimer: all the stories and opinions written below are my own and come from my personal experience teaching in Spain. Teaching (very) young learners can be rewarding and a lot of fun, but it's not for everyone! We need to remember that… Continue reading The horror of teaching Young Learners
The Christmas Countdown
If you live and teach in one of the European countries, it's almost impossible to avoid Christmas-themed lessons. A year ago, when I worked at an academy in Alicante, I was asked to prepare a short Christmas video or project with some of my younger groups. With my Movers group (ages 7-9), we spent about… Continue reading The Christmas Countdown
Adapting lesson plans to other levels
I used to work at an academy that required all plans to be posted onto the server by Monday. At first, it's fine, you do it, full of energy and happiness. However, then comes the time when you reach the limit and you start thinking about how you can prepare one lesson plan that can… Continue reading Adapting lesson plans to other levels
Compound words for Starters
If there is one thing that I enjoy teaching to my YL is compound nouns. I like to think about them as two pieces of a jigsaw which create new words once they are put together. Here is a lesson plan and a set of worksheets I came up with for Cambridge Starters. It's been… Continue reading Compound words for Starters
Is it possible to plan for very young learners?
So you've spent the whole weekend crafting an ideal plan for your young learners. You are confident and excited to have this class but the second you enter the classroom, you feel that something is off. Does it mean you've wasted your time? I have immense admiration for all teachers who are truly passionate about… Continue reading Is it possible to plan for very young learners?
Creating a classroom community
There's nothing better than having a group of students who enjoy each other's company. On the first day, it is essential to build a safe space and create a feeling of community. Last year I was combing through the internet for the perfect first class activity for young learners. I wanted something that would help… Continue reading Creating a classroom community
Creating routine
Are you a creature of habit? What about your students? As a teacher you don't always have to surprise learners in fact many of them, especially the little ones, enjoy following certain routine. You have probably realised that teaching is particularly difficult at the beginning of the school year. We all have to get to… Continue reading Creating routine
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