LANG41815: Teaching Young Learners

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• at the end of this module, students will:
• understand the various roles and challenges faced by teachers of young learners (aged 4-18), focusing particularly on the high school age range and high school teaching contexts (11-18) and/or the situation in primary education and/or private language schools
• understand key theories relevant to teaching young learners
• be familiar with a range of teaching methods potentially appropriate for teaching young learners
• have considered ways of optimising learning through the use of extra-curricular resources and opportunities
• be familiar with relevant testing procedures and approaches available to teachers of young learners (including exams)
• have an understanding of evaluation procedures for teaching programmes involving young learners and ways of making adjustments within the constraints of organisations and educational contexts

• this module focuses on key issues facing teachers in any context involving the teaching of English (as a foreign, not second, language) to young learners.
• broadly speaking, these issues relate to syllabus-planning, materials selection, methodology and the wider psycho-social and technological environment of teaching young learners.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• key characteristics of the student population (young people aged 14-18) and typical teaching contexts
• constraints typically experienced by teachers teaching young learners and options available to resolving these
• an understanding of theories relevant to teaching young learners
• an understanding of the principles of classroom management

Subject-specific Skills:

• ability to critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of various teaching methodologies suitable for teaching young learners
• ability to critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of various teaching materials suitable for teaching young learners
• ability to plan lessons with the specific needs and potential of young learners in mind
• ability to plan appropriate assessment for young learners
• ability to appropriately evaluate teaching and learning outcomes in young learner contexts

Key Skills:

• ability to read and understand primary texts about relevant theories and language pedagogy
• ability to plan appropriate and effective classes taking account of significant issues affecting young learners (eg the role of feedback and correction; pacing; learner-centredness)
• ability to source and evaluate materials and authentic resources available for the teaching of young learners in the light of theories of language acquisition
• ability to understand principles of course design, testing and evaluation for contexts in which young learners are taught

• lectures will introduce the principles of teaching young learners and give students an opportunity to explore and discuss key issues, opportunities and teaching skills (primarily relating to materials and methods)
• one seminar will provide an opportunity to further explore relevant teaching methodology and the other will focus on the assignment

Students will be required to submit a 500-word draft of a late section of their summative assignment so as to receive feedback on clarity, coherence and academic referencing, as well as on how well they are relating theory to practice (i.e. to a specific teaching context).

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