Job Discussion Forums

FemaleNomad · Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 58 Location: Poland

Hi everyone --
It's my first year teaching. I have a BA in English and also got my CELTA this past summer. I started teaching children 3-5 in September. The school provided me with an outline/syllabus of what I should teach and I had to make up lesson plans/activities. Well, turns out that the syllabus was for Sept- Dec and now I need to make it up for the rest of the year. Where do I begin? How do I know what I SHOULD teach??? Where can I find resournces online? I've been to bookstores here -- mainly Empik -- to see if I can find ESL/TEFL books for teaching children aged 3-5 but have found next to nothing. Any advice would be appreciated!!

Thank you so much!!

YakTamer · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 86 Location: Warszawa, Polska

Write to all of the schools that teach children (use the Book of Lists 2008 to find this out - it will include email addresses).

Tell them that you have a four-year old child that you wish to enrol in the school for English lessons but that you would like to see their syllabus before making a decision.

"Don't do evil" // Google Corporate Philosophy

"Do evil but hope nobody notices" // everybody else's corporate philosophy

BTW, I'm curious as to where you're teaching. It is just outside Warsaw?

phantombedwetter · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:03 am Post subject:

Hi,
A few questions:
Which city are you in?
If it's quite a big one, the reps from the publishers eg Longman, Cambridge, Oxford should be able to suggest something.

Did your CELTA cover this age group? mine didn't.

I don't think you'll find much in Empik, but it the bigger cities there are academic bookshops which will have plenty of materials (Make sure the school reimburses you)!

The good news is, there is lots and lots out there for this age group (The new Cambridge "Hippo and friends" series is very good) and it may be worth asking your school to invest in a whole new series with the gadgets and posters etc.

Good luck

FemaleNomad · Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 58 Location: Poland

Thanks for the advice. To answer both of your questions --- No, my CELTA class only covered adults and teenagers not children as small as 3 and 4. The town I'm in is about 30 minutes outside of Warsaw.

Where can I find the "Book of Lists 2008"?

Thanks, again.

FemaleNomad · Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 58 Location: Poland

Last question -- a bit off the subject --- YAKTAMER.... I see that you're in Warszawa... I'm dying of boredom in my town and the gray weather is not helping so I do get out to the city every single weekend. What are some good places to go to meet people????? It would be nice to meet other native speakers/diverse crowd but I can't seem to find the right places. Could you suggest any places?

Pollux · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 224 Location: PL

Do this: go to the OUP bookstores in Warsaw and thumb through kiddie books; pick the ones you like and buy them and use them to teach your kids. Please don't ask what are OUP bookstores.

You are a short ride from Warsaw so there is no excuse.

Haven't you asked the question about meeting expats before? I believe people pointed you in the right direction. Try the BC if you want books to read and films to watch.

YakTamer · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 86 Location: Warszawa, Polska

As pollux said, I believe this question was already answered - Bar Below in Wilcza is probably the best bet for hooking up with people.. if you can stand the smoke, that is (it can also get very crowded when there's a big football match on). What places have you tried so far?

You can get Book of Lists from Traffic which is in Bracka (the part near Chmielna).

Kootvela · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania

CELTA doesn't cover young learners. I suppose there are other certificates for that.

I suggest you seek for professional help from your senior staff to begin with. Ask for guidelines and materials. It's your new job and they cannot expect you to know the ropes!

phantombedwetter · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:24 pm Post subject:

Hi Female Nomad,
What did you do about the syllabus?
What coursebook did you go for?

We wait with bated breath

biffinbridge · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 701 Location: Frank's Wild Years

I've just been looking at a book I've got called 'The Critical Guide to ELT Materials 2006' and there are loads of books. One that specifically states that it is for 3-5 year-olds is 'Hippo and Friends', Cambridge University Press, Selby and McKnight. There's a student's book, teacher's book, CD, photocopiable extras, flashcards and story posters. Stages seem to be;Starter, Level 1 and Level2. The book uses as song and story based approach and is suitable for schools offering between 1 and 5 lessons a week to a class.
Hope this isn't too late.
You can also visit the BEBC's On-line Bookshop at www.bebc.co.uk. (Bournemouth English Book Centre).