Working with Kids with English as Their Second Language

Working with children with English as their second language is a challenge, but it is also very rewarding.

Known as ESL, or English as a Second Language, there are many teaching aids and advice forums available to assist you. Indeed, as there are now large numbers of pupils across the UK with English as their second language, particularly in major cities, learning how best to teach ESL is a valuable addition to your CV.

The biggest issue related to teaching ESL is widely considered to be the fact that concentration and energy levels are difficult to maintain. The fact that this is hard enough with English speaking children highlights how much of a problem this can be with children that do not clearly understand what you are saying. Consequently, much of the advice offered to help ESL teachers is centred round these issues.

Don’t Talk for Too Long

Teachers with pupils with English as a second language cannot rely on long lecture-style lessons. The concentration levels will drop quickly, leading to agitated and disinterested pupils. If you do need to use lengthy speeches, make sure it is interspersed with plenty of hand-outs, work sheets, projector presentations and so on.

Use Props

Using props is a great way to keep people interested in your classes or groups and this is especially true of pupils with English as a second language. This is very effective if you allow your pupils to get involved with the props so that they feel part of the class. You can use the prop to illustrate a point, use the white board to spell words related to the props and to keep attention levels up.

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Promote Interactive Classes

Sitting listening to a teacher talk at you for an hour is no fun for anyone. Wherever possible, encourage your pupils to talk in groups or pairs, moving people around and joining in the different discussions. It’s a great way to develop language skills without the pressure of having to speak in front of the whole class. Take care which pupils you pair up together, making sure that there is no possibility of the more shy ESL pupils being teased if they make a mistake.

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Use Real Life Examples

Although you don’t want to make your ESL pupils feel uncomfortable, asking them to talk about their real life experiences that relate to your subject matter is a really interesting way to develop their language skills. If appropriate, ask them to say the word in their first language, or encourage them to share their own interpretation of the English language. Anything that gets your pupils talking in an open forum is to be supported.

Lots of Praise

Perhaps the most important element in teaching children with English as a second language is to give them lots of praise. Don’t be too concerned with grammatical excellence at first. If the ESL child feels like they are making progress and that they are able to try different words and meanings, they are far more likely to make quick progress.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Childcare Career Finder lets you tell us what draws you to working with children and we will match you with the UK careers or volunteering roles that fit you best. Try it now →