2 Teaching

Notes

2 Teaching English to Young Learners (TEYL) has be- come its own field of study as the age of compulsory English edu- cation has become lower and lower in countries around the world. It is wide- ly believed that starting the study of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) before the critical period––12 or 13 years old––will build more proficient speakers of English. However, there is no empirical evidence supporting the idea that an early start in English lan- guage learning in foreign language con- texts produces better English speakers (Nunan 1999). Levels of proficiency seem to be dependent on other fac- tors––type of program and curricu- lum, number of hours spent in Eng- lish class, and techniques and activities used (Rixon 2000). If an early start alone is not the solution, then what can EFL teachers of young learners do to take advantage of the flexibility of young minds and the malleability of young tongues to grow better speakers of English? As the age for English edu- cation lowers in classrooms across the globe, EFL teachers of young learners struggle to keep up with this trend and seek effective ways of teaching. This article contains some helpful ideas to incorporate into...