The importance of creating a routine with ESL young learners

My very first job working with young learners went something like this…

I was working on my dissertation, in full-research mode, when one of my friends and scholarship-cohorts asked if I wanted to double-up with her on an Art in English after-school class for two-year olds. Like most researchers, I was a bit strapped for cash, so I jumped on the 20-something euros per hour and said “Sure!”

Every Monday afternoon, I dreaded going to the little preschool, where 12 2-year olds would run around the classroom (where they were placed for after-school English class), playing with all of the fun toys that they didn’t have in their normal classroom, ignoring everything that I said to them, and attempting to potty train (unsuccessfully). It wasn’t pretty.

I think every class ended up looking like this:

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Almost three years and lots of experience with ESL young learners later, I realized that the children weren’t at fault for the pandemonium created weekly in that room. We, the teachers, failed to set up a routine, a plan, something that their two-year old little minds could process, memorize, and repeat.

One of the most important tools in your bag with young learners (1-5 years old) is using a strict routine!

One of your goals should be to start each class the same way. Here are a few examples of how you start the class:

• You bring the child(ren) into the classroom environment, not let them enter willy-nilly.
• Make a habit from day one of hanging up jackets, bags, umbrellas, etc., on a coat rack near the door. (You can also use cubby holes or chairs for this purpose.)
• Then, have everyone sit down in whatever fashion you see best.
• If you are in a school environment with older children, you can call the roll. This indicates that it’s time to get started!
• Open the class the same way. I like to use this song:

Similarly, you will end each class the same way.

• Reward your students for their great attention with a prize (a sticker on the hand, a little spot with children’s make-up on the hand, playing together with bubbles, etc.).
• You can use the same song each day to indicate that it’s time to say goodbye, clean up, and take their jackets.
• Wait for them to all get ready and then stand by the door.
• Ask them to say “Open, please!” and then open the door and look for their parents.

Eventually, even your lesson plans will develop into a routine that they can follow! By having them all enter the room at the same time, greet one another in the same way, and using visual or audio clues as to what’s happening in the classroom (hello or goodbye!), it will help your classroom management go from zero to hero!

If only I had known this when I first started with young learners…..