MANAGING YOUNG LEARNERS

MANAGING YOUNG LEARNERS

—  Teaching young learners requires a knowledge of

the DEVELOPMENTAL DIFFERENCES between
children and teenagers and of the appropriate
management.

—  We w i ll tal k a b o ut d iffe re nt i d e a s fo r

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT and some TEACHING
STRATEGIES.
MANAGING YOUNG LEARNERS
—  It can be disappointing going into a class of 20 or 30
four –five year olds when you have got little
experience.

—  How would you react when three of them are crying
and don’t want to be there?

—  What do you do when they start crawling under tables

or throwing bits of paper?

—  How do you deal with children who do not want to say
or do anything?
 MANAGING YOUNG LEARNERS
—  In the beginning

—  You are a new person in their lives and quite possibly in a new
environment with new rules.

—  It could very destabilizing for very young children who are
used to being around with their parents and family.

—  You, as teacher, must to build up their TRUST and

CONFIDENCE before LEARNING.

—  When they come into the classroom be there to WELCOME

them and USE THEIR NAMES as much as possible

—  Have three or four teddy bears lined up on your table
and ask the unhappiest children to look after “SNOOPY”
as he is very shy. THEY WILL LOVE RESPONSIBILITY,
and this will act as a DISTRACTION.

—  Try to have the same teddies at every lesson as they

can serve TO INTRODUCE NEW LANGUAGE or EXPLAIN
NEW RULES for games.

—  Have some quiet CHILDREN’S MUSIC playing while they

come into the classroom to make the environment more
welcoming. "
GOING TO THE TOILET

—  You should establish TOILET OR DRINKING WATER

RULES in the first few lessons.

—  If you have an assistant with you in the classroom,

ORGANISE a toilet run with either of you taking a
number of children at a time or at the beginning of the
class until everyone has been.

—  Have some tissues in the classroom for blowing noses.

ROUTINES

—  Begin and finish the lesson in the same way each time.

—  You may have to take a register. This will provide you with a perfect
opportunity to install calm before starting the lesson. Or you can make
up your own opening routines.

—  “Hello song” with the teddies.

—  Activities

—  Goodbye song. Or simply have a mini conversation by introducing “THANK

YOU. SEE YOU NEXT WEEK. HAVE A GOOD WEEK”

—  Don’t just run out of a rowdy class at the end!!!!!!!!!

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT AND DISCIPLINE

—  When children arrive, they put their coats on pegs, bags on the
floor at their tables places and then join round the board

—  Very young learner classrooms need to be very ORGANISED.

—  Use two areas of the classroom

—  For presentation of new language, practice activities using

individual children, storytelling and opening and closing of lesson,
the teacher sits on a stool next to the board and half-faces
the children. Children should sit on the floor at their teacher's
feet in a circle.

 
For activities, three or four children should sit at each
table. Colour-code the tables. When children move from
the board to the tables, get them to move group by group,
not all at once. Children keep to the same places.

DISCIPLINE

—   At the beginning of the school year, establish the class
rules.

—  Discuss Classroom rules with the students

—  Post room rules

—  It is better to make your instructions for students

precise and concise.

—  Don't speak when children aren't listening and ready.
Wait.

—  Establish a SIGNAL for getting the group's attention:

1. turn off the lights
2. clap a pattern with your hands
3. Say “Freeze!” and everyone halts right where they
are, like a statue. Then say “Melt!” when you are ready
for them to move again.


 MANAGING YOUNG LEARNERS

—  Now it is time for you to work. This is the first

practical activity in the course.

—  You will have to elaborate a list of ten classroom

rules and make attractive posters.

—  Imagine you have to tell the rules to your children.
Explain them to the rest of the class.

—  The more attractive your poster is, the higher mark
you will get!!!!!!

—  All the posters and presentations will be assessed.

—  You will work in groups of THREE or FOUR people.