This year I was introduced to a new challenge: teaching preschool. Although school has finished and I'm writing this while I soak up my few days off before summer camp I can now reflect on teaching preschool and my advice for others thinking about teaching younger children English. I accept teaching Preschool this last year because it was something I would do every day in one school giving me more of a structured schedule and a closer connection with students and staff.
Teaching preschool is a challenge. Especially when teaching a second language. The students will not speak to you in English and they can’t be expected too. In the beginning this was hard because yes I understand Italian but how do I communicate back with them? Also how often do you understand everything a child says? I mean I give them my usual head node and ok or wow really and you know what they know when you don’t understand so guess who’s not talking to you again? I love kids and I love playing with them but my relationship with my students this year took the entire year to build. I had to learn more Italian and I had to find the balance between English and Italian with them. It wasn’t easy and most days I felt dead after just a couple of hours with them but it was rewarding. I saw them start from a simple hello to asking questions and responding to questions in English it was great. So if you are thinking about teaching English to young students I thought I would share something things I learned to help with your experience. Also I love lists, so enjoy!
1. You need to speak another language
I put this one as the first because it is important! If you are moving abroad to teach kids you need to know the language or have a basic understanding. Some schools will try to convince you that it isn’t important and in fact children learn more because you only speak English. Ok yes they learn more when you speak English but children want to be understood and if they don’t feel understood guess who doesn’t want to go to your lesson or talk to you. Also if there is a problem, it might help to be able to understand what is happening so you can handle quickly and in the moment. Another thing is classroom management. If you can’t discipline them you will get nowhere. Disciplining them in a language they don’t understand is not going to do much. They will notice they are in trouble but they won’t know why and will just continue to disrupt the class. So my overall message for this learn the language (minimum the basics) and important discipline sentences in that language. It will help a lot!
2. Music and games are your friends
Brush up on your acting skills because you will need them. Your energy needs to be high and your excitement needs to be seen. If you aren’t excited to do activities the kids won’t be excited and if you aren’t introducing new things with lots of energy they will get bored and chaos will ensue. Music and games are awesome time fillers and learning opportunities but activity and movement must be involved. Anything more than 5 minutes is boring so be on your toes and be ready to move.
3. Be prepared for questions
This goes a little hand in hand with the language barrier. Kiddos love to talk but they really love to talk when you’re talking so be prepared. Have your answers ready and be ready to get their attention back on track. However, this works best when you can speak the language at least a little bit. I usually tried to ask them to wait until the activity is over or tell them that color time is talking time. Otherwise, one question becomes an open class discussion and before you know it everyone is talking but you. Clear talking times are helpful.
4. Remember their skill level
If you like me and teach a large range of levels, this one can be a little difficult. Changing from level to level sometimes I forget that their skill level is very low. They can’t read yet and you definitely won’t be teaching grammar. This course or lesson is about listening and building a vocabulary. They are learning to identify words they hear in songs and build vocab like animals, food, and people. Have patience because they are learning to be independent so a small task like opening a book and finding a page can be a challenge for them. Breathe and remember they are learning. The more and more you do it the easier it gets for them but don’t limit them with your expectations. They will get there. Routine is your friend. Everyday should have more or less the same routine so they know what’s happening and their skills will get faster and stronger.
5. Laugh
Have fun. These courses can be draining and can often feel eternal but laughing helps. Laugh with the kids. I am not saying laugh at them because that doesn’t build trust but laugh with them. They love when you laugh at their jokes or make them laugh during games. You laugh, they laugh and the lesson is suddenly lighter and doesn’t feel so heavy because trust me at times it will.