Teaching 4 & 5 year olds
 

Hello, I've been asked to do lessons with two children ages 4 & 5. This will be the youngest that I've ever taught. The children have just finished a Helen Doron class so they have had some exposure to English. Can anyone give me any ideas? I was thinking using lots of TPR, songs, some simple stories, games and flashcards (for vocab). However, I'm not sure in which order or if someone has better ideas please feel free to throw them my way! Thank you.

Re: Teaching 4 & 5 year olds
 

I think those are excellent tools! I would definitely start with TPR - in my experience as an ESL teacher in foreign school settings, many of the students (who want to learn and try to learn) pick things up the quickest through the TPR method. Start with simple things like commands - come here, go/leave, sit down, stand up, etc. But definitely include the flashcards, simple stories (which is a great tool to use the phrases "What is it?" or "Where is it?" or "What color is it?" etc.) and games. Play around with different things and don't be afraid; you'll be surprised how quickly they pick things up if they're constantly submerged in English.

If you're not sure where to start "curriculum" wise, start with ABC's, 123's and then move on to animals, colors, shapes, etc. It's much easier to build on English once a base has been established than to start haphazardly teaching things (something I learned the hard way) and then try to go back later and teach those things.

Another thing is don't speak their native tongue to them (if you can avoid it). They'll be forced to try to understand you and figure out what you're saying, and that's where TPR comes in so naturally as you speak and show/pick things up/move, etc. I talk more with my hands and body than I ever did before as I am teaching 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade ESL.

I hope that helps. Good luck and have a fun time teaching!

Re: Teaching 4 & 5 year olds
 

Hi, could you guys explain what you mean by TPR method and give some examples/tools?

I'm new in teaching, having only taught for 2 months time in China. I've found this forum and a few other similar ones and are trying to pick up on everything I can in order to become a better teacher.

Thanks!

Re: Teaching 4 & 5 year olds
 

:)

Re: Teaching 4 & 5 year olds
 

TPR is Total Physical Response while teaching. Basically, you do what you say when teaching students ESL/EFL. These websites are helpful in figuring out what it is exactly and why it helps as you teach:
1. TPR: What Is Total Physical Response?.

2. Total Physical Response

3. Teaching approaches: total physical response | Onestopenglish

For different activities and useful ideas, just google TPR (or total physical repsonse) Activities. Also, youtube has a wide assortment of videos showing TPR activities.

Hope this helps!

Re: Teaching 4 & 5 year olds
 

Cheers!

Re: Teaching 4 & 5 year olds
 

I wanted to say thank you for your info. Sorry it took me a while to get back to you. :)