Teaching Young Learners: should I give it a try?

Throughout these years working as a teacher, I have noticed that the professionals in my area can be pretty much divided into two categories: the ones who love teaching young learners and the ones who simply can't stand the possibility of doing so. And no matter where I worked in the past years, it is common sense that teaching young learners is all about playing games and being cute. Also, many people believe - even the ones working in the area - that it is not necessary to speak good English in order to entertain the little ones. I mean, all you need to know is a couple of nursery rhymes, right?

Well, not quite! Teaching young learners demands much more than being patient and kind. You are supposed to have a good notion of classroom management, organization and sensitivity, not to mention appropriate language competence. If you do not teach young learners, but is thinking about this possibility, there are some aspects you should take into account. Let's get started!

1. Are you patient?

I mean, do you understand that kids do not always behave in a way we consider 'normal' or 'desirable'? If you think kids are needy and rude, maybe you should not start teaching them. Kids do not often know how to express their feelings, and it can be stressful at times. However, it is vital to point out that there is a huge difference between learning more about life and being impolite. I myself believe that kids need to understand the rules from the very first moment in class. Long story short: I am patient when it comes to their learning processes (social, cultural, interpersonal), but I am not into pandering them.

2. Do you know what to do?

Many teachers struggle when teaching young learners because they literally do not know what to do. Schools all over Brazil - the context I am familiar with - tend to entrust inexperienced teachers with classes filled with very young children who are anxious about that new linguistic experience and do not understand how to behave in a classroom yet - a nightmare! My tip is: study as much as you can and ask for help. It kind of saved me when it was my turn (thanks Carol Umetsu, Anna Braga and Samara)!

3. How do you plan your  classes?

Preparing classes to kids is a lot about paying attention to details. You have to reflect about how to greet them, avoid their first language use, control behavior and make them feel welcomed. Besides that, thinking fast is another imperative skill. So, if you are good at preparing well paced, varied classes, and  can make decisions under pressure, you will probably become a great tiny people's teacher. 

Of course there are more aspects to consider when it comes to teaching young learners, and I hope I was able to help you start reflecting about it. Yet, the most important point is: no matter the level or age gap you teach, you must feel joy once experiencing it!