Young Learner Extension to CELTA Pre-Interview Task
(1) How are children of different ages, teenagers and adults different? In the spaces
below write some characteristics of each age group and how this relates to their
learning
5 – 8 year olds
9 – 11 year olds
12 + (teenagers)
adults
(2) Are the following statements True? or False? Why?
Statement
(a) Children learn more slowly than adults
and they forget things more quickly
(b) Children tend to be self-oriented and
preoccupied with their own world
(c) Children can concentrate for a long time
if they’re interested
(d) Both children and adults benefit from
learning grammar rules and explanations
(e) It’s easier to motivate and teach children
(f) Children are very energetic and have an
inherent need to move about a lot
(g) All children learn in the same way
(h) Children benefit from games and making
things in the classroom more than adults
T/F
Why?
Young Learner Extension to CELTA Pre-Interview Task
(3) How would you convey meaning to the following in a YL classroom?
(a) A snowman
(b) I can play football
(c) I love chocolate
(d) Geography
(e) I am happy
(f) Run fast
(4) Would the following examples of Teacher Talk be effective in a lower level,
beginner – elementary young learner classroom? How would you approach each
one to make it easier for the learners to understand what you want of them?
(a) Today we’re going to learn about adjectives
(b) Shhh! I want you to be quiet please, everyone would you please sit down!
(c) Have you got your books with you today? Great, so if you could just turn to
page 26
(d) Now, what did we say about chewing gum in the classroom? Can anybody
remember?
(e) Did you remember to do your homework? Good, so now take it out and
compare answers with the person next to you
(f) Last week we learned the past simple, can anyone remember how we form the
past simple of regular verbs?
Young Learner Extension to CELTA Pre-Interview Task
(5) Here are some mistakes that children have made in English lessons. In each of the
following sentences: identify the mistake, (in some sentences there may be more than
one!) correct it, and say why it is wrong. The first two sentences are done as
examples, to help you.
Sentence with a
mistake
(a) I go in school by
car
Where is the
mistake?
I go in school by car
Correct the mistake
(b) Mr Magoo get up
at 8 o’clock every
morning
Mr Magoo get up at
8 o’clock every
morning
Mr Magoo gets up at
8 o’clock every
morning
I go to school
Why is it a
mistake?
We use the
preposition ‘to’ to
indicate movement
and direction
In the present
simple, we add an ‘s
to indicate the 3rd
person singular, e.g.
he, she, it
(c) I no is sure
(d) Justin Bieber is
the most coolest
singer
(e) I am agree
(f) My sister have 10
years
(g) What time you
finish your homework
last night?
(h) I like wearing
jeans blue and Tshirts whites
(i) I must to do my
homework every
evening
(j) My sister is very
pretty. His eyes are
blue and his hair is
blond.
(6)
(a) What would you need to take into account when planning a lesson for 8 year old
children at beginner level?
(b) What would you need to take into account when planning a lesson for 12 year old
children at pre-intermediate level?
Young Learner Extension to CELTA Pre-Interview Task
(7) Which of the following would make a better YL teacher?

Choose one only and say why
a nanny
a swimming
instructor
a social
councillor
an
orchestra
conductor
a clown
a doctor
a university
professor
a librarian
(8) In view of your answer to question 7, above, say here why you are suitable to teach
young learners, and why you would make a good YL teacher of English. Make
reference to any previous experience, and what you hope to achieve in the future.
Please return this form to teacher.training@britishcouncil.fr together with
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your CELTA Certificate scanned
the completed application
the completed Self-declaration form
a passport-type photograph