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Interest in the teaching of English to younger learners has been steadily growing in recent years. This is no doubt partly in response to the rapidly growing demand for it to be taught at even younger ages by parents who want to provide their children with a competitive educational advantage.

It has found expression in the large numbers of private language schools catering to this age-group which have sprung up in many parts of the world. Ministries of Education too have begun to respond, with large-scale expansion of provision for foreign language teaching at primary levels in countries such as France and Italy. The need for good materials is all the more pressing, given the minimal standards of many private schools, and the inadequate provision of trained teachers and suitable materials for the state systems. Yet the demand for English keeps on growing.

The growth of primary English has, moreover, had the effect of a ‘shot in the arm’ for the TEFL ‘profession’. TEFL has tended to develop separately from the mainstream of educational thought and practice. There has, for example, been rather little cross-fertilization between TEFL and the teaching of other foreign languages. While this has undoubtedly enabled TEFL to develop some highly innovative and valuable practices and procedures of its own, ultimately such isolation is damaging and can lead to a comfortable parochialism.

The awakening of interest in teaching young learners offers TEFL one way back into the mainstream of education. Teachers of young learners need special skills, many of which have little to do with the language, which becomes a by-product of learning activities rather than a centrepiece. Helping the child to learn and develop becomes more important than simply teaching the language. The approach and techniques are therefore drawn from good general educational theory and practice rather than from a narrow TEFL repertoire.

Many EFL teachers wishing to enter the teaching of young learners will find the activities in this book an invaluable introduction, as will practising primary teachers wishing to move into TEFL. Experienced teachers will also find ideas they can develop further.

The teaching of young learners is immensely rewarding and exhilarating: children communicate a great sense of energy, curiosity, and involvement. This book will help teachers channel a sizeable part of this energy into productive learning.

Alan Maley