AJ0409 Teaching children

Faculty of Education
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Šárka Cox (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Alena Dobrovolná, Ph.D.
Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Jana Popelková
Supplier department: Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Timetable of Seminar Groups
AJ0409/01: Wed 12:00–13:50 A43 učebna, Š. Cox
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 9/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 32 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Abstract
Students will:
- get acquainted with the basics of didactics of English in relation to young learners;
- learn about the specific needs of young learners on the basis of studying the recommended literature dealing with this age group;
- apply theoretical knowledge in their lessons;
- analyze the effectivity of chosen activities and after reflection suggest next procedures;
- create a collection of teaching materials for young learners.
Learning outcomes
Students understand specific needs of young language learners.
Students know and use classroom language and instructions at adequate level.
Students are able to design adequate types of activities for young learners.
Students understand and apply theoretical principles into their teaching.
Students reflect on their experience and develop their professional competences.
Students give and get feedback and react positively to it.
Students link the theory to the activities they keep in their teaching portfolios and explain teaching principles.
Key topics
1. Young learners 2. How young learners learn languages: learning and acquisition 3. Motivation. Role of the teachers in motivating YL 4. Teaching listening 5. Teaching speaking 6. Teaching reading 7. Teaching writing 8. Teaching vocabulary 9. Teaching grammar 10. Teaching pronunciation 11. Storytelling 12. The role of songs and poetry
Study resources and literature
    recommended literature
  • READ, Carol. 500 activities for the primary classroom. First published. Oxford: Macmillan Education, 2007, 320 s. ISBN 9781405099073. info
  • PINTER, Annamaria. Teaching young language learners. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006, xii, 180. ISBN 0194422070. info
  • SLATTERY, Mary and Jane R. WILLIS. English for primary teachers : a handbook of activities and classroom language. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001, 148 s. ISBN 0194375633. info
  • CAMERON, Lynne. Teaching languages to young learners. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001, xvi, 258. ISBN 0521774349. info
  • REILLY, Vanessa and Sheila M. WARD. Very young learners. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997, 195 s. ISBN 019437209X. info
  • BREWSTER, Jean; Gail ELLIS and Denis GIRARD. The primary English teacher's guide. London: Penguin Books, 1992, 238 s. ISBN 0-14-081359-4. info
    not specified
  • PHILLIPS, Sarah. Young learners. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993, 182 s. ISBN 0194371956. info
  • SCOTT, Wendy A and Lisbeth H. YTREBERG. Teaching English to children [Scott, 1991]. 2nd ed. London: Longman, 1991, 115 s. ISBN 0-582-74606-X. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
workshop,class discussion, group projects
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
Credit requirements: active participation in the sessions, Student-teacher Portfolio, reading
Upon successful completion of the course, students will earn 2 ECTS credits. Each ECTS credit represents 25 to 30 hours of work. In the seminars, students are expected to spend a minimum of 24 hours. The remaining hours are allocated for self-study.
To successfully pass the course, students need to complete a Micro-teaching portfolio task of their choice. According to Competency Framework for Teacher Graduates (OSKR / KRAAU), this task develops competence in (i) planning and conducting a lesson and reflecting on it; (ii) creating a suitable learning environment.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
General note: Předmět bude realizován, pokud se přihlásí alespoň 15 studentů.
Teacher's information
http://moodlinka.ped.muni.cz/course/view.php?id=485
This subject is to be studied face-to-face due to its classroom-based practical focus;
In the course, the use of AI is permitted for learning but not for cheating. It is acceptable to use AI for brainstorming ideas, basic proofreading, and suggestions for improvement. It is unacceptable to have a text generated, translated or reformulated. Remember to acknowledge all innovative ideas that are not yours. For generated ideas, use in-text citations. At the end of each assignment, state how you worked/did not work with AI. When in doubt, consult your teacher.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Autumn 2024, Spring 2025, Autumn 2025.
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