Teaching English to Young Learners: Skills and Add-On Courses

Teaching young learners is a distinct skill from teaching adults. Lessons are short, varied and built around games, routines and movement, and many employers require a clean police check before you can work with children. A general TEFL course gives the foundations, and an add-on or practice with children builds the rest.

How lessons differ from adult classes

Young children have short attention spans, so activities usually change every 5 to 10 minutes. Instructions need to be brief and demonstrated rather than explained. Language is taught through songs, stories, picture cards and physical response games, and learners are praised for effort. Older children and teenagers need more structure and topics that interest them, and class management often matters more than grammar.

• Use a predictable routine: greeting, warm-up, main activity, review, goodbye.
• Give one instruction at a time and show what you mean.
• Mix activity types: moving, listening, drawing, speaking.
• Correct gently and repeat the right form back rather than singling a child out.
• Plan a spare activity for every stage in case one ends early.

The tests young learners sit

Many schools prepare children for Cambridge English Young Learners exams. They are Pre A1 Starters (CEFR Pre-A1), A1 Movers (A1) and A2 Flyers (A2), designed for children in primary and lower secondary education. If a school mentions exam classes, ask which level and how much of your teaching is exam preparation.

Police checks and safeguarding

Child-facing roles abroad usually require a clean criminal record. An Garda Síochána issues Police Certificates for purposes including foreign visas, free of charge, and the process takes about three weeks. A Police Certificate is not Garda vetting. Vetting is for roles with unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults and can be requested only by registered organisations, so individuals cannot apply for it directly.

Some schemes ask for more. Spain's language assistant programme requires new applicants to supply a clean certificate of sexual offences, which can be requested at any stage. See the paperwork checklist for timing and apostilles.

Choosing a young learner add-on

Course names vary, so judge by content. A useful add-on includes lesson planning for different ages, classroom management, using songs and games, assessing young learners and some observed practice with children. Ask the provider how many hours it adds, what is assessed, and whether employers in your target country recognise it. As with any course, check the awarding body on its own register (how to choose a provider).

An example 45-minute structure for primary-age learners

Every school and age group is different, so treat this as a starting point rather than a rule.

Keep a quiet activity ready for when energy gets high, and a lively one for when it drops. Rewards such as stickers work best when linked to specific effort rather than winning. Check the school's policy on rewards, as some do not allow them.

Working with parents and schools

In many countries parents are closely involved. Expect to be asked for progress updates, and keep short notes on each learner: what they can do, what they find difficult and one next step. Use simple language, avoid labels such as lazy or weak, and focus on specific skills. When you are unsure about school policy on photos, communication with parents or physical contact, ask the coordinator rather than guessing.

If you cannot do an add-on first, volunteer with children in a supervised setting such as a homework club, once you have the relevant Irish vetting through that organisation. Keep notes of what worked, which are useful in interviews (CV and interview guide).