How to Teach Kids English: Everything You Need to Know About ESL for Young Learners

Kids, children, and teens are collectively referred to as “young learners,” and they make up one of the most common student demographics in the TEFL/TESOL industry. Teachers who work with this group, in person or online, face a mix of practical challenges and professional rewards in each context. Young learner classes demand strong classroom management, a clear lesson structure, and the ability to make language meaningful without lengthy explanations.

As more countries worldwide prioritize English language learning from an early age, the demand for teachers who know how to teach English to kids continues to grow. Schools and online platforms increasingly seek teachers who understand child development, age-appropriate methodologies, and realistic expectations for progress. This post will teach you everything you need to know about ESL for children and teens.

If you’re new to teaching, you’ll want to get initial training and qualification with a TEFL certificate. You can explore our online TEFL courses to get started!

Who is considered a young learner in TEFL?

Technically, a young learner is any student under 18, though some schools may include young adults, sometimes over 18, in this category.

Within this broad group, you will find smaller subgroups, including very young learners (pre-K and kindergarteners), children and young learners (usually referring to school-aged kids under 12), and teenagers (around 13 to 18). Like all learners, these subgroups each have their own distinct characteristics related to their stage of development.

Knowing how to teach English to these students can provide a great boost to your professional TEFL/TESOL prospects.

Young learners vary widely in attention span, motivation, and cognitive development, so you need strategies that match the age group. When you teach teenagers, you also need to balance structure with autonomy and give them reasons to use English that connect to their identities, opinions, and real-world concerns. Teachers plan better lessons when they are aware of the subgroup’s needs in and out of class.

Where can I teach English to kids around the world?

Children and teenagers who learn English can be found around the globe. In some regions, foreign TEFL/TESOL teachers commonly teach or assistant-teach in a K-12 setting (either in public or private schools), while in other regions, teachers work with students after school and on weekends at language centers or virtually.

Regardless of the classroom setting, these are the regions where it’s most common to teach kids.

Teaching kids in Europe

Europe is one region where teaching kids is popular. Standard teaching positions exist at language institutes, and they work with a wide range of ages.

Another popular type of opportunity in Europe involves working with kids at English summer camps. These camps are short-term, 100% English-focused, and make the teaching experience fun and immersive.

Many European countries also have government programs, such as France’s TAPIF program, that allow you to teach in public schools on a renewable annual contract. Some programs may even help you find housing or offer options to live with local families while you work.

Teaching kids in Asia

Asia is another region where teachers commonly teach kids. Asian countries have placed increasing emphasis on English-language instruction in recent years, which has led to a large number of TEFL/TESOL jobs.

Within public school systems, the EPIK teacher recruitment program in South Korea and the JET program in Japan are examples of this push.

Teaching kids in Latin America

Teaching kids English in Latin America is popular and in high demand, as many countries in the region recognize the importance of English proficiency for global engagement and economic development. The establishment of various government-sponsored programs and teacher recruitment initiatives is proof of this recognition.

Public schools are a primary setting, and they often include English in the curriculum, especially in countries with national programs aimed at improving language skills, such as Chile’s Programa Inglés Abre Puertas (English Opens Doors Program). Private language schools also play a role, and they offer after-school or weekend classes tailored to young learners.

In some countries, remote and online teaching programs are gaining traction, such as Uruguay’s Ceibal en Inglés project, which addresses teacher shortages by connecting remote English teachers to classrooms via technology. Non-profit and volunteer programs, such as those led by the Peace Corps and WorldTeach, deliver English instruction to underserved regions and broaden educational access for children in remote or low-income communities.

Interested in learning more about teaching English in South America? Learn everything you need to know to teach English in South America.

Teaching kids online

The market and salary

The online teaching market is another place where you’ll find plenty of opportunities to teach English to young learners, as the majority of positions involve this group. This option works well for those who love traveling and want a steady source of income while moving around frequently, or for parents who prefer to work from home so they can stay with their kids.

On average, online companies pay anywhere from $9-$26 per hour and allow you to maintain a flexible schedule. All you need is a steady internet connection and some basic equipment, and you can teach kids from anywhere in the world.

Teaching online vs. in the classroom

Teaching English online and teaching at a B&M (brick-and-mortar) school are quite different. Most online teaching jobs focus on either one-on-one tutoring or small virtual classrooms with about 4 students. B&M schools, on the other hand, have larger classrooms with an average of 10-25 students.

Another difference is that some online companies allow you to teach the same students repeatedly, while others are set up so that you teach different students each time, and this results in a very different type of student-teacher relationship than what you would experience when you teach the same students at a B&M for an entire year.

Read more about teaching English online vs. in person.

Qualifying for online teaching jobs

There’s a lot of competition to teach online, but the industry is growing every day. If you think teaching online is a good fit for you, consider earning a Specialized Certification in Teaching English Online to fully prepare yourself for these positions and stand out from other applicants.

You should choose a setting that fits your teaching style, your schedule, and the support you want from a school or platform. You improve your chances of success when you match your goals to the realities of the job, not just the location.

Not sure about teaching English online? Here are a few reasons why you should.

What certificate do I need to teach English to children?

Most of the TEFL/TESOL jobs around the globe and online specifically require teachers to have at least 120 hours of general in-person or online TEFL certification. General courses, like the Bridge 120-hour Master Certificate, introduce TEFL/TESOL theory and methodology, along with English grammar, and they may also include basic introductions to teaching specific groups, such as young learners and Business English students (another common demographic of TEFL/TESOL students).

However, do you need a special certificate to teach English to kids?

Teachers who wish to be more competitive when applying for jobs to teach kids, or who want to advance in their current teaching job, should consider advancing their certification to the next level with a Specialized Certificate in Teaching English to Young Learners. Topics covered in this specialized course include how to properly prepare lesson plans, manage your classroom, and evaluate progress for classes in these age groups.

Trainees who complete this kind of targeted training will also add more total hours to their TEFL certification, helping them surpass the minimum hours required to qualify for most jobs and become more attractive candidates.

A general TEFL certificate opens doors, but specialized training helps you teach young learners with more confidence and control. You stand out faster when your qualifications match the age group you want to teach.

How do I start teaching English to beginner-level kids?

You may be wondering how to teach English to children if they are total beginners and don’t speak any English. This idea can feel intimidating for new teachers! However, it’s important to note that, for most jobs at language schools, TEFL/TESOL teachers are unlikely to be assigned to work with complete beginners if they have limited knowledge of the local language.

Likewise, in K-12 classrooms of true beginner-level students, teachers who don’t speak the students’ first language (L1) typically work alongside a local teacher as an assistant. This setup can be a great way to learn from an experienced teacher and watch their tried-and-true techniques.

However, in some instances, such as when you teach a classroom of students with multiple native languages or teach in a school that uses immersion learning, you may be assigned to beginners despite having no knowledge of their L1. Although that thought may seem scary at first, it’s actually easier than you think if you use appropriate teaching techniques such as TPR (total physical response), props, realia, photographs, and illustrations.

You’d be surprised how much you can get students to understand just by acting out what you’re saying and keeping phrases short and simple.

You can teach beginners without using their L1 when you make meaning visible, keep language short and repeatable, and use repetition. You help beginners succeed when you prioritize understanding and participation before accuracy.

Worried about teaching beginners? Check these tips for teaching beginner-level students online.

What are the most effective techniques for teaching English to young learners?

Young learners present teachers with a number of unique opportunities for creativity and engagement in the classroom. Check out some popular techniques below.

Techniques for teaching English to children

Use a variety of fun activities

When working with younger children, it is best to incorporate games, songs, videos, props, and other fun, interactive elements into activities to keep students moving and engaged. Children love to be active and included.

To hold student interest, be sure to build in a variety of activities that involve different skills and incorporate both quiet and noisy tasks so that students experience a balance of calm and energetic periods. Building lessons around themes can also help keep students attentive. It creates a sense of cohesion from one activity to the next and reinforces new material through varied learning techniques.

Kevin, who worked as an English teacher in Portugal, remembers organizing hands-on activities with the children he taught:

“I had my classes draw hand turkeys for American Thanksgiving and taught them simple holiday songs near Christmas time (like ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’). This approach was a way to offer them a fun activity and also teach them cultural lessons.”

Establish class routines

Another key technique for teaching children is maintaining predictable and structured classroom routines. When children know what to expect every day in class, and you make sure to avoid “downtime” – when students aren’t sure what they should be doing – this improves student confidence and creates a positive learning environment.

For example, having specific routines for common activities, like transitioning from one task to another or cleaning up, can help children stay focused and reduce disruptive behaviors. Over time, these routines can make it easier for students to follow along and participate actively, which in turn makes classroom management smoother and learning more enjoyable for everyone.

Use TPR (total physical response)

Total Physical Response (TPR) is a teaching technique that turns vocabulary learning into an engaging and dynamic activity by combining language with physical movement. Young learners stay engaged and retain information better when they actively participate. TPR not only helps students learn vocabulary and phrases faster but also allows them to expend energy productively, and this makes it an ideal method for both physical and virtual classrooms.

To use TPR in class, teachers first say a word or phrase while demonstrating an action, and they encourage students to mimic the movement. In a physical classroom, students can do this as a circle-time activity, where they can see each other and interact. Online, TPR is also highly effective. In one-on-one settings, teachers can switch roles and have the child lead with actions, and in group sessions, students can use hand movements or gestures in response to phrases.

Use music and songs

Songs introduce rhythm, repetition, and rhyme, which are ideal for language acquisition, and they help children absorb vocabulary, sentence structure, and pronunciation. Action songs, like “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” help kids learn words through movement, which reinforces retention by linking language with physical activity.

Music also works well in both physical and virtual classrooms. Teachers can use songs to introduce new vocabulary, signal transitions, or even incorporate fun routines like dancing. In online classes, students can sing and perform actions on camera, creating an interactive experience that boosts engagement. Using songs builds a positive association with English, and it encourages children to learn through play.

Looking for ways to teach pronunciation? Get some ideas for classroom pronunciation games.

Techniques for teaching teenagers

Teach English using context

Adolescents, meanwhile, can absorb lessons on more advanced elements of the language, like grammar and syntax. They will also have more developed conversational skills and be able to carry out more structured activities.

Teachers can have a course discussion on issues in the news or have their students write and act out a dialogue, and these are great ways to teach English in context.

Looking for more engaging speaking activities? Try these TEFL/TESOL activities and have fun with your students.

Cater to a variety of learning styles

Remember that students have different learning styles, so aim for variety in the types of lessons and activities you use, so that you can facilitate all students’ learning.

Some students may thrive with visual aids, like videos or diagrams, while others may prefer hands-on activities or interactive discussions. For auditory learners, try incorporating music, podcasts, or spoken-word exercises, while kinesthetic learners will engage more with role-plays, movement-based activities, or real-world scenarios.

Balancing individual, pair, and group work also helps address diverse preferences, as some teens feel more comfortable expressing themselves in smaller groups or one-on-one settings. Offering a range of activities not only keeps students interested but also allows each student to learn in ways that suit them best, and this ultimately fosters a more inclusive and engaging classroom environment.

Involve students in class planning

Another great way to engage students in learning is to involve them in creating the classroom environment.

Although you’re ultimately in charge, older students appreciate it when you let them help decide on classroom decorations or vote on which of two games to play in the next class. It gives them a sense of involvement and makes them invested in the outcome of the class.

Get some classroom management strategies for teaching young learners and teens.

Offer plenty of feedback

In addition to boosting student engagement, ensure that teens receive adequate, frequent feedback to avoid frustration later. Have them be a part of the evaluation process by reflecting on their own progress through journal entries or comparing how they performed on a past test with a more recent one on the same material.

This ensures a clear line of communication between you and the student at all times and prevents complications from a lack of transparency when it comes time to hand out final grades or offer broader feedback.

You create progress when you combine clear routines, high engagement, and language that students can use right away. You get better results when you treat techniques as tools and choose them based on the learners, not the trend.

Teachers frequently struggle with giving feedback. Check these ideas and master giving feedback to ESL students.

What games work best for teaching English to kids?

ESL games for young learners

Four of the more common English teaching games for kids include:

Hangman

One student thinks of a word and draws short lines to signify spaces for each letter of the word on the physical or virtual whiteboard. Classmates have a limited number of chances to guess the letters in the word, and each time they guess incorrectly, an element of the “hanging man” is drawn (such as the head, body, arm, etc.).

When a student guesses a letter correctly, they write it in the appropriate space. The student who guesses the word becomes the winner. However, if students guess too many incorrect letters and they complete the drawing of the man, the man is “hanged,” and the students lose.

For more teaching ideas, take a Micro-credential course in Games and Activities for the Online Classroom.

Bingo

Create Bingo cards and a call sheet (use an online Bingo sheet generator like this one). Either pass out the cards or send them to students electronically if you play online. Cut out the call sheet and put the squares into a box or bag.

If you teach in person, allow each student a turn to be the caller, and the caller picks one square at a time from the box and calls out what is on the square. If you teach online, the teacher can be the caller. The other students listen to what is called and mark the corresponding image or word on their cards.

The first student to fill a complete line of squares on their card, either horizontally, diagonally, or vertically, calls out “BINGO!” and is the winner.

Teacher Says

A twist on the classic “Simon Says,” this game is perfect for practicing listening skills and vocabulary.

The teacher gives commands starting with “Teacher says” (e.g., “Teacher says touch your nose.”), and students follow along only if the command includes “Teacher says.”

If the teacher gives a command without “Teacher says,” students shouldn’t do the action. This game builds listening comprehension and vocabulary while keeping students engaged and active.

Vocabulary Relay Race

Divide students into two teams and give each team a set of vocabulary cards. Set up two stations with pictures or objects that correspond to the vocabulary words. Each student takes turns racing to match a word card to the correct picture or object, and the student then runs back to tag the next teammate.

The team that matches all their vocabulary words first wins. This game encourages teamwork, reinforces vocabulary, and lets students release energy in a structured way.

Want more? Check out a full list of ESL games and activities for young learners.

ESL games for teenagers

Many useful games prompt students to use the English language actively and creatively. These activities work well for teenagers, and teenagers typically have a higher level of proficiency and more developed skills.

Some classic games include:

Would You Rather?

Pair your students up. Have them challenge each other to make a tough choice between two funny or thought-provoking scenarios. For example, a student might ask, “Would you rather find your soulmate or find a million dollars?” Then, they must explain why they chose the one they did.

If you’d like to involve the entire class in this activity or if you teach online without virtual breakout groups, ask students to write their own questions. Then, have them take turns asking their questions to classmates in front of the class.

For more ideas, check out these easy ESL icebreakers that will make any class flow better.

Two Truths and a Lie

Ask students to come up with three statements about themselves, two of which are true and one of which is a lie.

Then each student presents their three statements to the class, and the other students must guess which is the lie. Not only does this prompt students to use the language with each other, but it also helps them get to know their classmates!

Debate Club

Divide the class into two teams and assign a topic relevant to their interests, such as “Should students have homework every day?” Give the teams time to brainstorm key points and examples and prepare arguments for or against the topic. Teams take turns presenting their arguments, and after both sides have shared, students can ask questions or challenge opposing views.

This game helps teenagers practice persuasive language, critical thinking, and speaking skills in a structured, interactive format.

Mystery Interviews

Assign each student a secret character or profession (e.g., a detective, a celebrity, a teacher) and have them prepare to answer questions as their character. Pair students up or divide them into small groups, and have one student act as the interviewer and the other as the mystery guest.

The goal is for the interviewer to ask creative questions and guess the mystery guest’s identity based on their responses. This game is great for practicing question formation, conversational skills, and creative thinking.

Games work best when you give students a clear language goal, and you keep the rules simple. You protect learning time when you treat games as practice, not as a reward for surviving the lesson.

Am I ready to teach English to kids and teenagers?

When you prepare for a new TEFL/TESOL position, it is important to have an idea of how to best lesson plan and prepare for the specific types of students you’ll be teaching. With the right classroom management strategies and engaging activities, you’ll be ready to teach kids and teens abroad or online!

You build confidence when you plan with intention and use strategies that fit the age group you teach. You can make young learner classes feel fun and focused at the same time.

Teaching English to kids requires preparation, flexibility, and a clear understanding of how young learners think and behave. You succeed when you plan purposeful lessons, choose techniques intentionally, and respond to learners as developing individuals rather than as a single age group. When you combine solid training with realistic expectations and strong classroom routines, you create lessons that feel engaging, manageable, and effective for both you and your students.

To deepen your skills and confidence in the classroom, explore the Specialized TEFL course in Teaching English to Young Learners and Teenagers, an excellent way to gain targeted strategies and tools for engaging and educating young learners effectively.