My experience as a professional global property manager has brought me money to go, do and buy whatever I please. However, it has not given me satisfaction. I have come to realize that the only way to obtain true satisfaction is to follow my heart. For years my heart has been leading me to teaching. I have always had an affinity to
children. They bring pride and enjoyment to almost anyone, and their ability to absorb and learn new information is intriguing. So, when my husband and I made the decision to move to his home country of
italy, I decided it was my time to once and for all follow my heart. My mission was to obtain a
tefl certificate and with the help of my final course question, find out all there is to teaching
esl in a kindergarten. So, what is there to know about teaching in a kindergarten?
According to an article on the
tefl corp website it is agreed that teaching Kindergarten can be challenging yet very rewarding. The challenge's come with the fact that
children have limited attention spans and are kinesthetic and tactual learner's. Therefore, it is imperative to plan short, themed activities using a variety of teaching materials and learning skills. For example, some teaching materials such as picture books, songs, and coloring activities would be very effective in maintaining
children's attention. “Activities need to keep
children interactive and interested in the subject matter to be absorbed.” As for learning skills,
children tend to have strengthens and weaknesses in different areas, so in order to ensure that each child's needs are met it is best to include audi-lingual, visual and solitary learning methods. I can say that from my own personal experience with my friends
children, nieces, nephews, and young cousins I have noticed that this is very true. Some kindergarten aged
children I have come in contact with are not always at the same level as other
children their age and sometimes may need additional help in specific subjects. (1)
As for the rewarding factor in teaching
esl in a Kindergarten, I learned that it's through
teachers efforts, extra hours, smiles, care, positive reinforcement, and enthusiasm that makes the process very rewarding for both students and
teachers. (1)
In my soul I feel that this new path will be ever satisfying as I have read during my studies with
tefl and through my research. I am confident that I have the tools to create entertaining and interactive lesson plans. To encourage and motivate my future students to enjoy their experience in learning
english as a foreign language. My goal as an
esl teacher, is going to be able to create students that are able to speak
english fluently and continue to improve on their language skills as they grow and develop. I hope that my future students will remember me when they are adults as the
esl kindergarten
teacher that inspired, motivated and gave them all the confidence to not only learn to speak
english but to embrace learning new languages.
1) http://www.
teflcorp.com/articles/68-
tefl-teaching-
efl-in-a-kindergarten/214-teaching-
efl-in-a-kindergarten.htm