by Marama Carmichael

Created on: October 21, 2008   Last Updated: September 28, 2011

Teaching English to non-English speaking children can be a challenge, but it can also be very rewarding. Children are said to be like sponges, soaking up language and knowledge from all sources around them. And it is for this reason that some children seem to improve their English skills at an incredible rate, especially in the beginning. Children learn best when they are enjoying themselves and so the main thing about children's classes is they should always be fun - for them and for you.

The first thing to think about when planning a children's English class is age and maturity. You need to adjust the material you use in class depending on how old the students are.

For children under 6

The class should be simple, fun, and energetic. Small children have a very short attention span and anything that takes too long, or is too complicated will quickly lose them. In classes for under 6's - games, songs, dances, flashcards, art projects and picture books work well.

Games - these should be simple and should practice vocabulary or sentences that have been introduced by the flashcards. Games that I have found work well with young children are:

Karuta (or slam) - lay vocabulary cards out on the table or floor, shout out a word and students have to slam their hand onto the correct card. Sometimes you will find young children can't handle the competitive games and will cry when they lose. In this case one adaption is Karuta give-away, where you hand out the cards to each student and whoever has the card gives it to you.

Concentration (or memory) - lay two copies of vocabulary cards facedown, students turn over two cards until they find a matching pair.

Car race - lay cards out in an 's' shape. Like a board game, after rolling the dice, students move along the 's' towards the finish.

Bingo - make bingo boards using vocabulary words and get students to shout yes or no if they have the square.

I find returning to the children's favourite games, songs or picture books is not a problem for young children and is actually a good way of helping them retain the information.

For children from 6 - 12

A slightly different approach is needed. If anything appears too simple or too babyish for older children, you will find it difficult to hold their attention, and to gain their respect. The class still needs to be fun, fast paced and energetic, but older children don't like to repeat things so much. Of course some review is necessary, but this can be done quickly and efficiently with

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