ESL Jobs Forum

[KatieB]

Hello,

I am after some help or advice. I work for an online language school, I love my work and been happily teaching adults this way for some time.

However I have a new student; she is 10 years old and an advanced speaker already!!! She has a great personality and is fun to work with and is clearly very mature for her age.

But what do I teach her? She is too young for most lessons... or is she? Does anyone have any experience or advice they can offer?

Thanks

[Lexicon]

Remember that the whole point of teaching ESL is that you have to first become aware of all the bits of linguistic information about English (the whys behind all the grammar and usage) that you yourself never had to actively learn as a native. That's the hardest part. So in looking for something to teach, start by asking yourself whether you truly understand the reason (not just what someone has told you or you've read, but truly the reason why x is the rule).

It's introspection -- a concept called linguistics self awareness.

It's the hardest part of being a teacher or a linguist studying your own language.

Also, have your student label (with stickers) EVERYTHING. Like the door, the door knob, the hinges, the sill, etc. That's how they'll finally be able to fill in the gaps in their vocabulary.
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The first step to teaching is realizing that you don't know nearly enough yourself.

My Blog: http://calleteach.wordpress.com