Primary Essentials – Course description
TeachingEnglish - Primary Essentials is a teacher development course for teachers of English teaching
young learners aged 6 to 12 years old.
This course is especially intended for:
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teachers with some primary English as a Foreign Language (EFL) experience who wish to receive a
practical primary EFL development course,
experienced English teachers who are thinking of moving into teaching 6 to 12 year-old learners,
experienced primary EFL teachers who feel the need to upgrade their primary EFL teaching skills.
Course objectives
By the end of this course participants will have explored and gained a deeper understanding of the key issues
associated with teaching English to children identify some of the key issues associated with teaching English to
children,
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deepen their understanding of approaches in teaching English to young learners,
exploit the possibility of literacy development in English with young learners,
identify different techniques for using songs and games to enhance children's learning,
how different learning styles affect the way we learn and identify different techniques for
exploiting different learning styles,
how lesson planning is linked to syllabus and curriculum and explain how the curriculum can
define what they teach and how they teach,
a variety of classroom management factors which affect the learning conditions of their
classrooms,
and gain experience in online learning for their own professional development:
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learn and apply different forms of online learning such as working with wikis, forums, etc.,
share and discuss their ideas in a professional community,
create an online network for further professional discussions and development and
get hands-on practice with this innovative way of collaborative learning for their own professional
development as well as for classroom use.
Course delivery
The course is run by an e-tutor, Zsuzsa Kuti, who is an expert in teaching young learners, teacher training and emoderation to give you the maximum professional support and help if needed.
The e-tutor’s role is to make sure participants feel comfortable with online learning, to manage the modules online,
to contribute the forums and to take part in discussion. They also keep contact with the course participants
individually by reflecting on their professional development regularly in the reflective journal.
Routes to excellence
Course schedule
Module
Brief description of module
Module 1
Introduction
Getting to know the online learning environment you will be working in, your course mates and the
course criteria.
Module 2
First Steps
Exploring a variety of factors which influence the way we plan and teach lessons at primary levels.
Module 3
Songs and games
Discussing how songs and games contribute to learning English at primary level and how to set up
and manage the teaching of songs and games.
Module 4
Learning Styles
Exploring differences between learners and considering different learning styles.
Module 5
Syllabus and lesson planning
Looking at the different approaches and methods in syllabus planning.
Module 6
Classroom management
Exploring the issues of classroom management including the use of children's first language,
dealing with disruptive behaviour and managing your time and classroom.
Closure
End of course
Timing
The course runs for 10 weeks. The core material of the course takes up 34 hours. During these 10 weeks
participants should spend about 3-5 hours online every week in order to complete the modules. It is important that
participants log into the virtual learning environment regularly and evenly 3-4 times every week. However,
interaction is asynchronous, i.e. participants log in when they find the time.
Therefore, before you submit your application, please consider seriously if you can participate in the
workshops and you have the time and commitment you need to devote to this course.
Routes to excellence
2
Requirements
This online course counts for a 30-credit accredited course. Certificates will be issued by the British Council.
For successful completion of the course and for receiving the certificate at the end of the course you will be required
to
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participate actively and regularly during the online course i.e. 3–4 times a week for a period of 3–
5 hours at each occasion,
interact with each other,
contribute to forums and discussions based on your teaching experiences,
contribute to the reflective journal,
complete the end-of-module assignments,
complete the end-of-course evaluation form.
Participants are assessed at the end of four modules. These assignments form a portfolio on which the participants
are given a final assessment.
Certificates will only be issued for participants if the above criteria are met.
How to apply
Applications should be submitted online by filling out the application form by the application deadline. Course fee
payment must be received before the course starts.
Entry requirements
As the assignments are based on reflecting on your actual teaching practice, therefore you have to be a teacher of
English currently working with young learners aged 6 to 12 to be able to register for the course.
This is a very intensive course: before you submit your application, make sure you will have the time and
commitment you need to devote to this course.
We hope to see you on our Primary Essentials course!
Routes to excellence
3