Teaching Young Learners

Aims and assessment

• Lesson plans and materials for each lesson taught

• Completed observation tasks

• Written feedback/evaluation of teaching practice, given to trainees by colleagues and tutors

• Tutorial summary sheets

• Assignments

• Homework tasks

Three Possible Grades

1. Pass

Pass grade is awarded to candidates who have demonstrated the following:

Lesson Preparation

Candidates have shown that they:

• Have understood the basic concepts of language development in young learners and are able to use this information to inform their planning/approach

• Can plan lessons appropriately to suit the age / stage of development of the learners in their classes

• Are able to predict the kinds of linguistic problems young learners may have with a particular language point, and prepare lessons that help learners overcome these

• Select appropriate language at different levels

• Identify appropriate main learning aims

• Identify appropriate aims for lesson stages

• Design lessons which are appropriately staged and varied

• Focus clearly on new language

• Can select materials / tasks and activities appropriate to the age / level of the learners 

Teaching Skills

Candidates have shown that they:

• Adapt their teaching approach and style appropriately to suit learners at different age ranges

• Can engage young learners in a variety of motivating learning tasks

• Clarify the meaning, form and phonology of new language items, where propriate

• Check the students' understanding of language items

• Provide appropriate language-focused practice activities

• Develop the skills of reading and listening

• Develop the skills of speaking and writing

• Respond to errors effectively and with sensitivity

• Manage groups effectively; adjust their own language to meet the level and needs of learners

Interpersonal Skills

Candidates have shown that they:

• Can establish a good rapport

• Are able to motivate their learners

• Ensure pace is appropriate

• Show awareness of learners as individuals as well as a group

• Teach with sensitivity to the learners' needs, interests and background.

• In addition, participants need to demonstrate ability in the following two areas:

Professionalism

Candidates show that they:

• participate in the course as a reliable member of a team

• are able to assess their own strengths and weaknesses objectively

• attend to all administrative matters as required

• are able and willing to respond to feedback and act on it, where appropriate

Written work

• Pass candidates will produce assignments which demonstrate the ability to reflect and consider the issues affecting the teaching of English to young learners

2. Distinction

This is awarded to candidates who demonstrate an excellent command of a wide range of teaching skills appropriate to the teaching of young learners. Lessons are well-planned and carefully adapted to suit the needs, and the stage of development of the learners. Candidates will demonstrate excellent classroom management skills, appropriate both to the age and educational background of their students. Candidates may show strengths with one age group in particular, but it is important that these candidates have demonstrated the ability to adapt their approach to teach at least at two different age groups.

In addition, candidates will have:

• Submitted assignments demonstrating an above average sensitivity to the issues influencing the teaching of English to young learners

• Made insightful contributions in input

• Shown a high degree of professionalism

3. Fail

This grade is awarded to course participants who fail to demonstrate that they can consistently plan and teach effective lessons to young learners, according to the criteria described above.

IHCYLT Course Certificates and Reports

Certificates will be issued by International House to all course participants who have fulfilled the requirements of the course and completed all assignments at a satisfactory level. Each trainee will also be issued a Report written by one of the tutors on the course.

All materials contained in this package are coypright of International House World Organisation. They must only be used on approved IHCYLT courses, and for no other purpose.

Recommended reading

If you require further information or would like to recommend a book, please do not hesitate to contact us.

IHCYLT Books

Children Learning English Jayne Moon (Macmillan)	Oxford English Young Learners Phillips, Sarah (Oxford)	Teaching languages to Young Learners Lynne Cameron

 

Entry Requirements

Course participants must:

• Be competent English speakers
• Be at least 18 years old
• Have had some initial training in ELT - suggested minimum: CELTA  
  or equivalent
• Display an interest in the teaching of Young Learners.

IHCYLT Selection Procedure

Selection of candidates is based on the completion of the application form, pre-interview tasks and an interview, see enrolment section.
Interviews are conducted at International House Seville, or by telephone.
Acceptance on the course is by no means automatic: a rigorous selection process is undertaken in the interest of candidates in order to ensure their suitability and a high degree of success on the course.

Acceptance is at the discretion of the centre.

After your course

It has been estimated that more than one thousand million people in the world today speak, or are learning to speak English.
The range of locations and situations in which English language teachers are in demand is enormous. During your course you will be given general information and guidance on where and how to apply for jobs.

Working with International House

The Human Resources department in IH London recruits more than 350 teachers and about 25 senior staff each year to work in IH affiliated schools. These schools, all of which are independently owned, are linked by standards of educational excellence and common terms and conditions governing the employment of teachers.

IH is perhaps unique in the world of ELT in offering an international career structure to its staff. Most contracts with IH schools are for one year.

Salaries are locally appropriate and usually payable in the local currency. Return air-fare, paid holidays and assistance with accommodation are offered on most one year (or longer) contracts outside the UK.
For employment as a teacher in an IH school you must at least have successfully completed the Cambridge Certificate (CELTA), or an equivalent course. Other qualifications, such as a degree, may be necessary according to the legal requirements of a particular country. Further qualifications and experience may be demanded for specific jobs. For higher posts in ELT and ELT management, the DELTA is usually required.

Dates and Prices

IHCYLT Prices (2013)

IHCYLT Course in Seville	Price
IHCYLT Course	745 €

* Accommodation in a standard shared apartment

 

IHCYLT Dates (2013)

Start	Finish	Status
2nd of September	13th of September	available

 

Accommodation

 

Application form

This is the full booking procedure. Please read carefully before proceeding. It is advisable to send your application form and the pre-interview task several months in advance.

Before being accepted

1) Fill out the application form and complete the pre-interview tasks

Please download the form by right-clicking on the link and saving it onto your computer.

a) application form and pre-interview task (PDF)

Once completed, you can:

a) Send the application form and pre-interview task by fax.

or

b) Scan the pre-interview task and send by email.
 
Fax: 0034 954 50 08 36

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You will receive an email from your contact regarding the results of the pre-interview task within 7 days.

2) Do the interview

An interview will be conducted. You can choose to do this:

a) In person

b) On the phone

c) Via Skype

You will be informed after the interview if you have been accepted on the course.

After being accepted

1) Payment  
 
You will need to pay a deposit. Please do not send any payments until you have been accepted on the course. For information on remaining payments, please see enrolment details below.

Payment form

2) Receive an information pack

Once you have paid for the course, you will be provided with an information pack which includes a pre-course task to give you a sample of the course content. A week before the course begins, you will receive information on your accommodation.

 
IHCYLT Enrolment Details

Deposit

We will only reserve a place on a course for you when we receive proof of payment of at least the deposit. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another course, provided that a minimum of 4 weeks' notice is given. Please see Dates & Prices section for the exact deposit and full course fees.

Course and accommodation fees

The balance of the course fees and accommodation (if applicable) is due 6 weeks prior to the starting date of the course, but the fees will not be refunded if any cancellation is made less than 4 weeks' before the course begins.