Teaching and Learning English in the Early Years

Teaching and Learning English in the Early Years offers teachers an extensive repertoire of creative ideas and techniques to work with in the classroom. The A–Z format provides a memorable and easily-referenced manual for teachers, with a large variety of low-preparation, practical teaching ideas. Each one links clearly to a language point with easy-to-follow teaching notes. Each also links to a section providing further reflection and teacher development. The 26 chapters go from A to Z, each reflecting key areas in early years language teaching. They offer a combination of theoretical insight, methodological guidelines, and practical ideas for the classroom. There are chapters on classroom activities, plus key educational and developmental areas and areas of current topical interest. The range and combination of the chapters aims to broaden teachers’ understanding of what is involved in effective early years language teaching. It aims to raise their awareness of how to maximise children’s language learning in the context of their overall development. Each chapter starts with a quotation that is pertinent to the topic or theme. A concise and accessible introductory discussion then follows. This highlights relevant background theory and key methodological considerations, and sets the scene for the suggested practical applications which follow. Guidance is also in place to help teachers develop an understanding of how to differentiate their approach with younger and older pre-school children. At the end of each chapter, a professional development section includes questions for reflection as well as ideas to try out and share with other colleagues. The Glossary at the end defines any unfamiliar teaching terms. It provides a useful reference for child development and language teaching terminology that is used regularly throughout the book. This supports the professional development of early years language teachers in understanding and using the vocabulary of their profession.

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