[Fletch]

I have a private class with a 4 year old and 5 year old and am quickly running out of ideas. I have covered basic words and short sentences like; I like/don't like, I want/don't want, etc. I am thinking of starting to teach them how to write/read english but am stumped on how to make it fun. Heeelp !

[smy2brazil]

Kids mimic language, rather than learn grammar. So you can use some advanced grammer to express simple ideas and they will catch one. DevonT, of SuperSimpleSongs posted on mes-english.com's forum a nice long post about this age group. One idea he mentioned was fishing. Make a few fishing polls with magnets on the tip of the line and paper fish with paperclip mouths can be placed on the floor. Bam good situation for lots of English.

I'm going to catch a blue fish.
What are you going to catch?
Oops, I caught a pink fish.
What did you catch?
How many fish did you catch?
What color is that fish?
There's a red fish.
etc.

Well,
just an idea

[livinginkorea]

Use the sentences that smy2brazil used and use lots of TPR (body actions) that the kids can follow. It helps them to remember the words more and also it can be very fun for them. I use it all the time with my morning kindergarten classes and it's great to see them following me and laughing as well. The action can be used at the beginning of class and then you can move on to some flash cards or a song or writing or reading some letters depending on how much time you have per lesson. Also you can have some games where you do a certain action (taught previously) and see who remembers it (nice reminders for reforcement).

Let us know how you get on!

[simplyesl]

Get them active
Keep it fun and simple
don't introduce a lot of language all at once
play games that forces them to use the target language
Start with phonics - 4 or so words for each letter of the alphabet.
Get them to tell the difference between similar phonic sounds (like b and p).

[Pix]

Hello there,

You can read up all about teaching younger kids here: Teaching preschool kids English.

And this page is on private tutoring, so teaching one or two kids. How to teach a child to speak English.

I also have a free mini-series that you can sign up for including games and activities, a free illustrated story called Hetty and the Lion, tips for storytelling and ideas for after telling the story.

Receive the free games and illustrated story for 3 to 5 year old children here:

This is a great mini-series full of ideas and it serves as a free sample to my ebook dedicated to teaching children aged 3 to 5 English through games and stories.

I'll add a few comments to those already made:
Use real objects where possible and pictures where this is not feasible.
Use plenty of music and songs.
Use dance and movement.
Use stories as children love them and you will have a captive audience. Children absorb language subconsciously through songs and stories.
Vary the pace with movement and quiet sitting games to control the overall atmosphere.
Vary the activities and change games every five minutes or so.
Avoid spending too much time on colouring and elaborate arts and crafts if you only have a short session with the children - there are more effective ways to spend the time when it comes to language learning, although of course those activities are enriching in other ways but the children will most likely be doing them anyway outside of your language class.

There is much more on my articles page as mentioned above, and there are many ideas in the free mini-series.

I hope you enjoy it!

Kind regards

Shelley Ann Vernon

[Fletch]

Thanks for the ideas. I'm going to give them a go today and I'll let you know how it goes.