Teaching ESL to Children

<h1>Teaching ESL to Children</h1>

<p align=right>by George Stocker</p>

<div align=justify>Teaching ESL to children is 
challenging but also very rewarding. Before I walk into a 
class of 10-year olds, I take a deep breath. Children have 
no attention span AT ALL, and so I tell myself to slow right 
down before I start. Teaching children requires patience and 
a sense of fun and playfulness. Even though it seems 
obvious, a common mistake is to think that children are 
simply 'short adults!' This is sure to get you off on the 
wrong foot!

Here are some tips for teaching ESL to children:

1. Involve Children in an hands-on Activities. Children's 
minds are incredibly open and they learn by absorbing ideas 
and concepts directly. Children need to be actively 
involved. Get students up and out of their chairs and moving 
around. Sing songs, and play games.

2. Avoid talking for long periods of time. I find that the 
energy level of the classroom drops lower and lower. Explain 
an activity quickly and then go to it. Keep the energy 
moving! If your planned activity is a flop, move on. Keep a 
few extra activities handy for this purpose. Children need 
lots of stimulation all the time.

3. Children learn by interacting with each other and with 
the teacher. Try to talk to each child individually each 
class. Whenever possible, have children working in groups 
and in pairs.

4. Review, Review, Review. New information is absorbed and 
has meaning when it is related to information students have 
already learned. Quickly review new concepts at the beginning 
of each class.

5. Encourage students to correct themselves and other 
students. Self correction or self-regulation is an important 
part of learning. Students should be encouraged to ask, "How 
am I doing?" and "Am I doing this right?" in an open and 
non-judgmental environment. Children raised in 
authoritative cultures may need additional re-inforcement.

6. Use what is learned in different contexts. The more 
contexts used the better, and the more concrete and 'real 
life' the contexts the better. Make it real for students by 
talking about them and their lives.

7. Praise, Praise, Praise. Encourage and build students up 
in a natural way. Learning occurs when students are 
motivated and feel good about themselves.

Looking back on my years of teaching, the children's classes 
took a bit of getting used to, but were the most memorable 
and fun!

___________________________________________________________________

George and Daisy Stocker have traveled the world teaching 
ESL to children and adults. Their website, http://www.esl-storybooks.com 
offers ESL curriculum, including textbooks and Storybooks for children 
age 7 - 12.    Their adult ESL site, http://www.efl-esl.com offers ESL 
activites and curriculum for adults.</div>

<p align=center>Article source: <a href="http://www.ArticlePros.com/education/special_education/article-16594.html">ArticlePros.com</a></p>
 
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		<p align=center><b>About the author</b></p>
		<p align=justify>George and Daisy Stocker have traveled the world teaching <br />
ESL to children and adults. Their website, <a href="http://www.esl-storybooks.com">ESL for Children</a> <br />
offers ESL curriculum, including textbooks and Storybooks for children <br />
age 7 - 12.    Their adult ESL site, <a href="http://www.efl-esl.com">ESL</a> offers ESL <br />
activites and curriculum for adults.  </p>
		<p align=left><a href="http://www.efl-esl.com" target="_blank" title="will open in new window" class=blue>http://www.efl-esl.com</a></p>				<p align=center><input type=button class=asubm value="Other articles by George Stocker" onclick="document.location='http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?George Stocker'" style="height:20px;cursor:hand"></p>
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