English plays an important role in South Africa and abroad. As English becomes more and more accepted as an international language around the world, it is increasingly included in primary curricula and the number of private language schools offering English language tuition to young learners has increased. The Teaching English to Young Learners (TEYL) course aims to provide teachers with the skills and knowledge required to teach English to young learners from the ages of 3 to 16 years. Teaching young learners is an enjoyable and rewarding career and opportunities exist in South Africa and abroad to teach English to young learners. This course will course will prepare you for a career in teaching English to young learners.

1.	Individuals interested in a career in teaching English to your learners who have no experience
2.	Teachers who are interested in developing themselves professionally in the area of teaching English to young learners

To be registered as a trainee on the Wits TEYL course you need to fulfil all the requirements below:

	Minimum of 18 years of age
	First language proficiency in English
	Minimum of a National Senior Certificate (Grade 12)
	A professional teaching qualification (TESOL, TEFL, CELTA or PGCE)
	A degree is highly recommended

On completion of the course, candidates will:

	Be familiar with the characteristics and needs of young learners
	Have an awareness of the context and process of language learning by young learners
	Have developed an awareness of language and skills and be able to apply these in their professional practice
	Understand and be able to apply the principles and practice of effective teaching of language to young learners
	Possess basic skills, techniques and strategies required to effectively teach language to young learners
	Be able to assess and evaluate young learners language
	Be familiar with appropriate resources and materials for use with young language learners
	Be familiar with professional development opportunities

In the input sessions, our trained and experienced teacher trainers will cover theoretical aspects of the course, such as: characteristics and needs of young learners, teaching methodology and the basic principles of young learner teaching and learning. The practical component provides trainees with the opportunity to plan and present activities, lessons and projects on teaching English to young learners. These practical sessions are observed by an experienced trainer who provides constructive feedback and helps you to develop your young learner teaching skills.

The TEYL course approach involves participatory learning, where trainees are very much involved in the learning and teaching process. Most input sessions will focus on trainees discovering new concepts and information about teaching English to Young Learners through discussions, research, projects, activities and presentations. Trainees will also be involved in several tasks either in groups or pairs. Trainees are required to contribute to their groups by sharing and completing duties, since tasks will be assessed. Trainees will be provided with a textbook and will be expected to prepare for the next day’s sessions by reading the chapters assigned for homework. The textbook should be used for revision and to assist with the completion of projects and assignments.

	Learning & development of Young Learners		Teaching Language to Young Learners		Resources and Materials
	- Theories of learning and development		- Teaching Vocabulary		- Using course books
	- Characteristics of Young Learners		- Teaching Grammar		- Adapting course books
	- Learning styles		- Teaching Listening		- Designing materials
	Learning styles		- Teaching Speaking		Assessing Young Learners
	The Young Learner Classroom		- Teaching Reading		- Purpose of assessment
	- Young Learner lessons		- Teaching Writing		- Assessing young learners
	- Lesson approaches		Young Learner Teacher’s Toolbox		- Assessment tools and techniques
	- Lesson structure and planning		- Visual and teaching aids		Professional Development for teachers
	- Classroom management		- Games and activities		- Classroom research
	- Error and error correction		- Storytelling		- Further study
	- Adapting EFL techniques		- Drama, dialogue and poetry		- Professional development opportunities
			- Songs, music, chants and rhymes		Teaching Practice

The TEYL course is a 40 hour contact course which includes observed and assessed teaching practice. The classes are held two evenings per week and on Saturday mornings, running over a period of four weeks. The evening classes are held from 17:30 to 20:30 and the Saturday classes run from 09:00 to 13:00.

Assessment is continuous and there is no final exam. Trainees are assessed on their practical teaching as well as a portfolio of evidence. You are required to build and submit a portfolio of evidence for assessment which will contain assignments, completed projects, micro teaching evidence and teaching practice lessons. Participation and attendance is also considered as a major part of assessment since you will be required to participate in several tasks, activities and presentations either in groups or individually throughout the course.

On successful completion of the course, trainees will receive a short course certificate of competence in TEYL from Wits Language School. A letter of attendance will be issued to trainees who do not complete the course successfully.