Targeted to Intermediate English (B1+) speakers.Read more
This is the standard requirement for most courses. Participants at this level can participate actively in discussions and manage everyday and professional situations. If they are unsure about their English level, they can test it here or explore our courses facilitated in Basic English.
Language Teachers, Primary Teachers.Read more
The listed audiences are those for whom the course is especially recommended, but courses are not exclusive to them and are open to everyone. In fact, most of our workshops are built around the collective sharing of participants’ experiences and having a variety of profiles enriches the learning process and is highly encouraged!
Description
Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in Primary schools surely is rewarding, but can be challenging as well.
In fact, it means engaging young learners with diverse cognitive, social, and emotional needs.
Teachers must balance different learning styles, short attention spans, and, in many cases, the presence of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN).
This course is designed to equip ESL teachers with practical strategies, inclusive approaches, and effective tools to overcome those challenges.
During this course, participants will learn about the most important developmental stages of Primary learners, as well as their social and emotional needs.
Special attention will be given to the exploration of strategies for supporting Primary students with different types of SEN, so that all learners are supported and included.
Teachers will discover how to design a natural, interactive classroom environment capable of motivating children through play, storytelling, role play, drama, and outdoor activities.
Participants will also have the chance to examine different digital tools, including AI-assisted apps and platforms, to adapt materials for instruction, practice, or assessment.
If used critically, they can help in saving time, reducing workload, and making it easier to personalise learning resources to different students’ needs.
Teachers will learn how to select and apply those tools effectively, without losing the central role of pedagogy and creativity in teaching.
By the end of the course, participants will have acquired the knowledge and the practical tools to feel more confident in teaching English at the Primary level.
They will be able to successfully apply effective methods and classroom routines to engage young learners, understanding their development level (adapting teaching materials accordingly), applying strategies for inclusion, and using digital tools to support in a creative way.
Most importantly, they will be finally prepared to create in their classrooms a lively, supportive, and motivating space, where Primary children can enjoy learning English.
What is included
Learning outcomes
The course will help participants to:
- Comprehend basic principles of teaching English as a Second Language to Primary learners and how developmental stages affect language acquisition;
- Recognise how Special Educational Needs (SEN) influence learning and apply inclusive strategies;
- Design and adapt classroom activities that respond to different learning styles and students’ needs;
- Use digital and AI tools to create and personalise teaching materials for practice and assessment;
- Plan and deliver outdoor English lessons, integrating language learning with real-world experiences;
- Apply interactive approaches (such as role play, storytelling, drama, etc.) to foster natural language use and communication skills;
- Develop a complete lesson plan, from the learning outcomes to the assessment, with clear strategies for engagement and evaluation.
Tentative schedule
Day 1 – Course introduction
- Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
- Icebreaker activities;
- Presentations of the participants’ schools.
Characteristics of Primary Learners
- Cognitive development;
- Social and emotional needs;
- Language learning styles;
- Group reflection: what these characteristics mean for language teaching.
Day 2 – Special educational needs (SEN) and language acquisition
- Types of SEN and their impact on learning;
- Strategies and techniques for supporting SEN students in language classrooms;
- Overview of the main digital AI tools (apps, platforms, etc.) that can be useful for teaching;
- Workshop: adapting instruction, content, and assessment for diverse learners using digital and AI tools in a critical and creative way.
Day 3 – Outdoor classroom lesson
- Bringing English outside the classroom: principles and benefits;
- Practical session: task-based learning and nature scavenger hunt;
- Creative outdoor activities to develop reading, comprehension, and speaking;
- Reflection: linking outdoor experiences to curriculum goals.
Day 4 – Language learning games to build grammar, vocabulary, and language skills
- Games and drama for language development: building grammar, vocabulary, and fluency through play;
- Role play, movement, and Total Physical Response (TPR) activities;
- Storytelling and visual aids to foster creativity and communication;
- Workshop: using digital tools to design fun and engaging language learning activities.
Day 5 – Plan a lesson
- Effective lesson planning: using SMART outcomes and aligning activities with assessment;
- Group project: design and present a complete English lesson plan for Primary learners;
- Group discussion and peer feedback on classroom application.
Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities
- Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
- Awarding the course Certificate of Attendance;
- Excursion and other external cultural activities.
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