From ABC's to 123's

Posted by Mario R. J. Corbin Sep 3, 2006

It is one thing to teach an adolescent or adult who has no experience in English but who can at least relate to what you're doing and saying by your body language and your in class books and tools at your disposal. It is another thing altogether when your pupil is none other than a three year old child who can't understand why you are looking at them as blankly as they are at you when they are trying to explain to you in their native tongue that they need to go to the bathroom!

Undoubtedly the most challenging of all aspects of teaching English as a Foreign Language, Kindergarten is unchartered territory for many new ESL teachers who should be so lucky, or unlucky depending on how you see it, to find themselves in this very unique role.

Your little pupils are completely dependant on you for their very first understanding of what English is, let alone how to converse in it. What they take away from your class will stay with them for the rest of their lives and believe it or not, will determine how well they succeed in future English classes.

Scared? Don't be! This week our special guest, Jennifer Fawcett walks you through the various steps and activities that you can do to help your students get started on the right foot!