"The course content was well-structured, blending theory with practical activities. I particularly appreciated the focus on interactive learning techniques and left the course feeling more equipped and inspired to create a dynamic and enjoyable learning environment for young language learners."

Florence Aninniwaa Ahorsu / English Teacher

Young learner classroom strategies you can implement immediately

Whether you’re new to teaching English to young learners or looking to refine your approach, this course will equip you with valuable strategies, tools, and resources for effective instruction that you can apply right away. 

 

You’ll receive practical guidance on child development fundamentals, classroom management, and lesson planning for young learners, and learn how to craft communicative ESL activities for kids and teenagers. As you progress, you’ll cover all four language skills (speaking, writing, listening, and reading), as well as vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation – all adapted to suit younger minds. You’ll also connect with a community of peers, sharing ideas, activities, and success stories along the way.

What you'll learn

Build a positive learning environment

  • Encourage active participation with playful, age-appropriate ESL activities for kids.
  • Establish helpful routines that support focus and confidence.

Boost essential language skills

  • Reinforce reading, writing, speaking, and listening in a child-centred format.
  • Help learners grow their vocabulary and understanding of language patterns.

Foster creativity and confidence

  • Use storytelling, drama, and hands-on activities to spark curiosity.
  • Create safe spaces for learners to experiment and express themselves.

Master classroom management

  • Establish effective rules and routines to guide positive behaviour.
  • Apply supportive discipline techniques and handle challenges confidently.

Stay current with child-centred approaches

  • Integrate key developmental theories (e.g. Piaget, Vygotsky, Bruner) into your teaching.
  • Adopt best practices that keep learners engaged and motivated.

Save time on planning and prep

  • Utilise proven lesson frameworks and ready-to-use activity ideas.
  • Spend more energy on what matters most – nurturing your young learners.
Enhance your qualification! The course offers an excellent extension to the CertTESOL and CELTA for teachers looking to teach young learners. 
Expand your reach as a specialist in teaching English to young learners

Becoming a skilled young learner teacher means more than just planning lessons – it sets the stage for children’s lifelong success and confidence in English. By tailoring your approach to the developmental needs of young pupils, you’ll encourage self-assurance in the classroom. 

Refine your young learner teaching practice to

Nurture early language skills as you introduce children to enjoyable, developmentally appropriate activities that spark a genuine interest in English.

Create a positive learning atmosphere by using routines, rules, and friendly strategies to guide productive behaviour and enthusiastic participation.

Equip pupils to become independent, confident learners who carry their language skills into future studies and opportunities.

Enhance your professional standing in the education sector by demonstrating sought-after expertise for teaching young learners. 
Be the teacher you always wanted as a child – create a classroom where imagination thrives and English comes alive! 

Who should take this course?

Perfect for teachers who

Want practical techniques and strategies tailored to younger pupils.

Transitioned from teaching adults and need age-focused methodologies.

Seek an introductory pathway toward the Trinity TYLEC or Trinity CertPT qualifications.

Are keen to refine classroom management skills for fun, engaging lessons.

Want to create playful, communicative environments that drive genuine language growth.

Typical participants include

New or experienced language teachers.

Primary teachers eager to integrate play-based and communicative approaches into English lessons.

Trinity CertTESOL or Cambridge CELTA graduates seeking to expand their skill set for teaching English to young learners.

Teaching assistants exploring a career in young learner education.

Teaching English to Young Learners curriculum

This 20-hour online course is designed for teachers of all experience levels, whether you’re new to teaching English to young learners or already have classroom experience. The five modules cover a range of essential topics, from understanding child development and crafting engaging lessons to managing behaviour, nurturing creativity, and measuring progress – all tailored to the needs of young English learners.

What to expect

The course features engaging multi-modal content, including

  • Videos
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Online lesson observations
  • Discussion forums

By the end of this course, you’ll have a wide array of strategies and ESL activities for kids that will engage your young learners and support their English development.

 

The modules are arranged in a clear, step-by-step format, and to earn your digital credential, you’ll need to complete each one in sequence.

 

End of Module Quizzes

At the conclusion of each module, you'll take a short consolidation quiz designed to reinforce your understanding of key concepts. These quizzes focus on the essential points covered in the module and allow multiple attempts. After each attempt, you'll receive feedback on correct and incorrect answers, helping you identify areas that may need further review.

 

Final Quiz

The course culminates in a comprehensive final quiz, testing your overall knowledge and readiness. You'll need to achieve a score of 50% or higher to pass. You have up to three attempts to succeed, ensuring you have ample opportunity to revisit course material and refine your understanding. Successfully passing the final quiz earns you a digital credential, which includes an e-certificate and a credential badge, verifiable on platforms like LinkedIn.

Module 1: Young Learners

In this module, you will

  • Define who young learners are and explore their key characteristics.
  • Understand the basic theories of child development (e.g. Piaget, Vygotsky, Bruner) and how they apply to teaching.
  • Discover the importance of play-based learning and practical ways to integrate it.
  • Learn strategies for communicating with parents and teaching teens effectively.

Key units/topics

  • Teaching young learners
  • Child development
  • Play-based learning
  • Teaching teens
  • Consolidation

Module 2: Lesson Preparation and Management

In this module, you will

  • Develop effective lesson planning skills (context, aims, staging, scaffolding).
  • Explore materials and activities suitable for young learners.
  • Master classroom management techniques, including rules, routines, and positive discipline.

Key units/topics

  • Lesson planning
  • Materials & activities
  • Classroom management
  • Consolidation

Module 3: Teaching Language 

In this module, you will

  • Learn how to teach vocabulary effectively to young learners.
  • Enhance your approach to teaching grammar, striking a balance between rules and practice.
  • Incorporate fun pronunciation activities that keep learners engaged.

Key units/topics

  • Teaching vocabulary
  • Teaching grammar
  • Teaching pronunciation
  • Consolidation

Module 4: Teaching Language Skills

In this module, you will

  • Strengthen speaking skills with drama-based activities and interactive tasks.
  • Introduce creative approaches to listening and storytelling.
  • Explore strategies for teaching reading (including phonics) and writing in an engaging way.

Key units/topics

  • Teaching speaking & using drama
  • Teaching listening & storytelling
  • Teaching reading
  • Teaching writing
  • Consolidation

Module 5:  Teaching and Assessing Young Learners

In this module, you will

  • Discover best practices for teaching young learners online and keeping them engaged.
  • Develop an understanding of different assessment types and tools for YLs.
  • Observe and reflect on a real-world lesson to solidify your teaching techniques. 

Key units/topics

  • Teaching young learners online
  • Assessing young learners
  • Observe a lesson
  • Consolidation

Final quiz

In the final quiz, you will

  • Review and consolidate your understanding of key concepts and tools covered throughout the course.
  • Assess your knowledge and readiness to effectively apply what you have learned in your teaching practice.
  • Reflect on your learning journey, and evaluate your progress and insights gained during the course.
  • Access additional resources to support your continued professional development.

Verify your skills with a digital credential

Complete the course

After completing the course modules, you will need to take the final quiz. You will need to achieve a score of 50% or higher to complete the course and immediately receive your digital credential. You can retake the final quiz up to two times (three attempts in total), and you can revisit any sections of the course to study up on questions that you find challenging.

Instant, verifiable credential

Your digital credential includes an e-certificate, which can be downloaded and printed, and a credential badge which can be displayed on your social media and LinkedIn profiles, allowing you to showcase your achievements. 

Our credentials are incorruptible digital certificates encoded on blockchain, to ensure they cannot be altered or copied by anyone and can be easily verified by institutions. We use the same credential issuing platform as leading universities including Harvard, Oxford, Berkeley, and Johns Hopkins.
Developed by renowned trainers who also deliver the Trinity CertTESOL, TYLEC and CertPT, and containing content adapted from our Trinity TYLEC qualification.

Get to know our trainers

Click thumbnail to view full trainer details

Kevin Clare, Enjoys a good bottle of wine

Since 2009, Kevin has been involved in teaching English in a range of different settings, teaching adults, teenagers and notably young learners in Australia, Daqing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. He has worked in language centres as a Director of Studies and in various roles in international schools. At English for Asia, Kevin directs courses and conducts online training for teachers in Hong Kong and around the world.  

CELTA, PGCE, BA

Maria Björning-Gyde, Dedicated to animal welfare

Maria Bjorning Gyde is an examiner, moderator and marker on all Trinity TESOL panels, including the DipTESOL, CertTESOL, TYLEC, CertPT and CertOT. She has more than 25 years’ experience in New Zealand, Mainland China, Hong Kong and Indonesia. Maria also dedicates her time to education and projects related to animal welfare issues and behavioural change for a One Health approach in Bali. 

CertTESOL and DipTESOL Trainer, Course Writer

Karin Xie, Personable and always curious

Karin began her TESOL career teaching English to young learners in Mainland China, before moving on to teach a wider range of ages and levels. Her roles have included senior teacher and in-house teacher trainer. Karin regularly presents at teacher conferences and has conducted research projects on teacher questioning in classrooms, learner autonomy, and how English environments impact learning.

Trinity CertTESOL, Trinity DipTESOL, TrinityTYLEC

Lora Guo, Enjoys reading mystery stories

Lora is an experienced course developer and teacher trainer. Starting as a teacher at English First, she found her interest in various areas in TESOL. In addition to teaching, she is a marker on our Trinity CertPT and is involved in the development of curriculum and learning tools, such as learning apps and assessment systems. She has also provided educational product training and teacher training for new and experienced ESL teachers.

Trinity CertTESOL, MSc TESOL

Clare Voke, Enjoys learning Mandarin

Clare began began her teaching career in 2008 and has experience in various roles in the U.K, mainland China and Hong Kong. She lived and worked in the South of China as a Regional Trainer for Education First and is particularly interested in Chinese learners of English. Clare has written online teaching courses and content, as well as presenting at conferences all over Asia.

Trinity DipTESOL, MA TESOL

Ross Thorburn, Runs the TEFL Training Institute Podcast

Lora is an experienced course developer and teacher trainer. Starting as a teacher at English First, she found her interest in various areas in TESOL. In addition to teaching, she is a marker on our Trinity CertPT and is involved in the development of curriculum and learning tools, such as learning apps and assessment systems. She has also provided educational product training and teacher training for new and experienced ESL teachers.

Trinity DipTESOL, Trinity FTCL TESOL, IDLTM, MA Language Education

Eve Conway, Speaks fluent Spanish

Eve has worked in Spain, Vietnam and Mexico as both a teacher and TYLEC trainer as well as having worked on shorter projects in the UK, Italy, Azerbaijan and Peru. She worked for over six years for the British Council, where she discovered a love for working with children, particularly Early Years learners. Eve is a keen conference speaker and occasional writer for ELT magazines and publications.

Trinity DipTESOL, MA Applied Linguistics, BA English language

Customer Reviews

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Florence Aninniwaa Ahorsu

The "Teaching Young Learners" course was an enriching experience that deepened my understanding of effective pedagogical strategies for children. The course content was well-structured, blending theory with practical activities that kept me engaged throughout.

I particularly appreciated the focus on interactive learning techniques, such as games and storytelling, which are vital for capturing the attention of young learners. The discussions on developmental stages helped me tailor my approaches to meet the diverse needs of students.

The supportive community of fellow educators also enhanced the learning experience, allowing for valuable exchanges of ideas and best practices. Overall, I left the course feeling more equipped and inspired to create a dynamic and enjoyable learning environment for young language learners.

Teaching English to Young Learners

20 hours total study
Access for 3 months
Materials adapted from the Trinity TYLEC qualification
Digital credential Digital credential
Ideal for ages 5-12, adaptable to 3-14
Proven strategies to engage young learners and deliver real classroom results.
RM659.00 MYR
- % OFF
RM659.00 MYR
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