Teaching and Learning English in the Early Years

Description

Teaching and Learning English in the Early Years offers teachers an extensive repertoire of creative ideas and techniques to work with in the classroom. The A–Z format provides a memorable and easily-referenced manual for teachers, with a large variety of low-preparation, practical teaching ideas. Each one links clearly to a language point with easy-to-follow teaching notes. Each also links to a section providing further reflection and teacher development.

What does the book cover?

The 26 chapters go from A to Z, each reflecting key areas in early years language teaching. They offer a combination of theoretical insight, methodological guidelines, and practical ideas for the classroom. There are chapters on classroom activities, plus key educational and developmental areas and areas of current topical interest. The range and combination of the chapters aims to broaden teachers’ understanding of what is involved in effective early years language teaching. It aims to raise their awareness of how to maximise children’s language learning in the context of their overall development.

Just like The Creative Teacher’s Compendium, each chapter starts with a quotation that is pertinent to the topic or theme. A concise and accessible introductory discussion then follows. This highlights relevant background theory and key methodological considerations, and sets the scene for the suggested practical applications which follow. Guidance is also in place to help teachers develop an understanding of how to differentiate their approach with younger and older pre-school children.

At the end of each chapter, a professional development section includes questions for reflection as well as ideas to try out and share with other colleagues. The Glossary at the end defines any unfamiliar teaching terms. It provides a useful reference for child development and language teaching terminology that is used regularly throughout the book. This supports the professional development of early years language teachers in understanding and using the vocabulary of their profession.

Teaching and Learning English in the Early Years is part of the Teaching English series, which offers practical and accessible methodology across a wide range of different topics.

Reviews

“Teaching and Learning English in the Early Years: All you need to know to be the best teacher possible is a compelling book that draws from Carol Read’s years of experience teaching young learners. Teacher educators, teachers, and trainees will greatly benefit from reading the book which is rooted in a substantial body of research and activities that have been implemented and tested in the classroom. Her work favours the role of teachers as educators and promotes the teaching of well-rounded children…

“Apart from being an informational resource, Teaching and Learning English in the Early Years is rich in practical activities that have proven to be successful in a preschool environment. Core to Read’s framework for integrating global skills in ELT with children is the use of diverse activities that would promote young learners’ development of their own agency, assume responsibility, find their own voice, and take action.”  – This review by Ana Cecilia Cad was featured in IATEFL YLTSIG’s newsletter TEYLT Worldwide. Find out more about becoming a member of IATEFL YLTSIG here.