30-HOUR SPECIALTY COURSE
TEACHING ENGLISH TO YOUNG LEARNERS (TEYL)

Why Take The Teaching English To Young Learners Specialty Course?

From Madrid and Buenos Aires to Seoul and Shanghai, hundreds of millions of children are learning English as a foreign language. As English becomes further entrenched as the global language of trade, culture, travel, and education, both governments and parents understand that learning English is key to providing children with a brighter future. English is now required in most school systems across the world and millions of parents invest independently in extra lessons and/or private tutoring. For graduates of International TEFL Academy, this demand generates nearly countless opportunities to get paid to live abroad while teaching English to young learners.

To better prepare our students and graduates for the challenge of teaching young learners and to enhance their job opportunities, International TEFL Academy is proud to now offer this exclusive 30-Hour (two weeks) Teaching English to Young Learners Course. Taught by expert instructors using a curriculum developed by experts, this course will provide you with both the skills and resources you need to gain confidence in the classroom and to qualify for top positions.

If I can get a job teaching English abroad with a regular TEFL certification, why should I take this specialty course?

1. Develop skills & learn teaching methodologies specific to teaching children between the ages of 2 - 11 years. A regular 120+ hour TEFL class will provide you with a strong foundation of basic teaching skills, but reaching your full potential as a teacher working with children requires specific skills & a full understanding of the needs and challenges confronting young learners. From developing age-appropriate lessons and activities to gaining classroom management skills that will prepare you to run a class of 20 six-year-olds, this course will significantly build upon the skills you learned in your standard TEFL class (More Info).
2. Enhance your job prospects and opportunities for promotion. Employers and students want to hire the best teachers with the highest levels of skills and training. Taking this specialty course will set you apart from thousands of other English teachers looking to teach English abroad to children who only possess a regular TEFL certification and no specific training for teaching English to children.
3. Demonstrate your interest & comfort level in teaching younger learners. Putting this specialty course on your CV will not only exhibit your enhanced level of training, but it will demonstrate your interest in enthusiasm for working with younger learners.
4. Boosts Confidence & Capabilities. There is a large distinction between teaching language courses to adults versus children. To that end, there is also a significant difference between teaching a four-year-old versus an eight-year-old. This course provides the trainee with practical TEFL children classroom management strategies, teaching theories, and activities so that when they walk into the young learner classroom (be it four-year-olds or eight-year-olds) they are better prepared and thus more confident working with this population.

Advanced TEFL Class Details

LENGTH OF TRAINING:

2 weeks part-time (typically 12-15 hours per week of work).

This course includes 30 hours of online coursework, which includes readings, tasks, and peer participation. You will receive a separate digital certificate from what you receive for your standard TEFL course.

SPECIALTY TEFL COURSE DATES & AVAILABILITY:

More information can be found on the TEFL Course Dates page.

CLASS SIZE & FACILITIES:

Classes are capped at 20 students to ensure personal attention and maintain the highest standards of instruction.

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS:

This course will be delivered entirely online through the course management system Moodle. In Moodle, students will access online lessons, course materials, tasks, and resources. All tasks will be posted in an online forum or taken as an online quiz.

To complete this TEFL Kids course, you must have a reliable means to access the internet. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they meet this requirement prior to enrollment. Extensions on tasks will not be given to students because of technology problems.

INTERACTIVE FEATURES:

This course features live lectures, webinars & chats, however, there is no required live time, and students can access recorded elements on the course website.

Advanced TEFL Course Content

Featuring a specially-designed curriculum, The TEFL for young learners Specialty Course incorporates the latest in teaching methodology and best practices for teaching English to young learners between the ages of 2 - 11. 

The course is intended to serve as a practical guide to prepare trainees to enter the young learner classroom abroad with a better understanding of the differences between teaching adults vs young learners. The course also teaches trainees how to organize and manage the young learner classes.

Learn more: Teaching English to Young Learners Class Syllabus for a full, comprehensive overview of the course content including chapter breakdowns, task outlines, grading scales, and course policies.

INSTRUCTORS:

Like all ITA TEFL classes, this interactive Specialty Course is taught by seasoned university-level instructors with an advanced degree in TESOL or a related field and international teaching experience. 

HERE IS A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS COURSE:

• Chapter 1 defines young learners and introduces theories of basic cognitive development and second language acquisition. Parallels are then drawn between second language learning theories and practical classroom applications for children. This is followed by discussions of types of language programs and best practices for classroom management. After finishing this chapter, the reader will be able to:
  • Describe the basic concept of Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development; Explain the rudimentary difference between first and second-language acquisition; Describe the characteristics of young EFL learners in various age groups; Describe how theories in second language acquisition affect young EFL learners; Course takes a look at basic second language acquisition theory and shows you how to create activities that cater to those theories; Compare and contrast typical young-learner program models found overseas; Describe how best to manage a class of young learners.
• Chapter 2 addresses the importance of scaffolding (i.e. how to set up activities), as well as other relevant planning and teaching considerations. This includes an exploration of sample skill- and language-based lesson plans and materials for use and/or adapt when teaching young learners.
  • Describe considerations for teaching listening and speaking skills & reading and writing skills to young EFL learners; Describe methods for effectively introducing new vocabulary to young EFL learners; Identify the rationale for including or excluding explicit grammar instruction in the young learner classroom; Identify appropriate assessment practices for young learners; Design effective activities and lesson plans for different levels and ages of young learners
    

COURSE TEXTBOOK:

All of your course reading materials, assignments, and quizzes will be available to you online. However, you can purchase a copy of the course textbook if you choose. 

Tuition, Enrollment & Eligibility

The Cost of the Specialty TEFL Course is $299.
($249 if purchased at the time of a Standard TEFL class registration).

IMPORTANT! You must be an enrolled student or graduate of any of our ITA Online or In-Person TEFL courses before you can enroll in The TEYL Specialty Course.

• ITA Students: you should speak to your Admissions Advisor before enrolling in any Specialty Courses.
• Not an ITA student yet? Fill out a form here to receive detailed information about TEFL certification and job search guidance for teaching English abroad & teaching English online.

TO SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR:

• Please call 773-634-9900 or fill out a contact form. 

TO ENROLL FOR THIS COURSE: 

• Visit our Dates & Tuition page to view course dates, any available discounts.
• When you are ready to enroll your can register for the course here.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Online TEFL course students taking the 11-week 170-Hour Online TEFL Course can take a TEO Specialty Course both during or at the completion of their TEFL course. Due to the lesson planning skills required, it is recommended that students taking our 11-Week, 170-Hour Online TEFL Course wait until at least week five of their online course to begin the Teaching Business English or the Teaching English to Young Learners Specialty Classes.
• In-person TEFL course students & 4-Week Intensive Online TEFL Course students must complete their TEFL course prior to beginning any specialty course.

Students should speak with their TEFL Admissions Advisor prior to enrollment & and may register when they enroll for their main TEFL Course and or at any time thereafter.