An ethical question for those teaching very young learners. As English teaching professionals, we are very quick to differentiate ourselves from the simple native teacher with no training whatsoever. Why is it that this ethical stance does not transfer to the teaching of very young learners or young learners for that matter? Would I be wrong in thinking that someone who holds even a CELTA has very little idea as to how very young learners learn and their cognitive capabilities? Why is it OK for the teacher with no training whatsoever to be placed in a classroom full of 3-4yr olds, yet not OK for them to be teaching adults, whom they certainly understand better? This is terribly common practice here in Spain and from what I hear in Japan, but do parents care so little elsewhere?
Keywords: credentials, training, very young learners, young learners
Comments
Hi Troy. I agree.
Parents either assume the teachers are trained or in some way better qualified than they are or they simply don't worry about it too much, assuming they will be safe, might learn something & are occupied while they get on with something else. the schools more often than not say the teachers are qualified for all age groups.
Hi Helen, thanks for the comment. You mention the schools lying and I think that is a very interesting point. As you know, here in Spain there has recently been a scandal with illegal nurseries operating but it only became of interest once a child actually died. I'm afraid it is going to take a serious accident or the uncovering of paedophiles for the government to get involved in the language schools. This was a problem I saw while teaching in Laos and I can easily see the possibility of the same thing happening here. Any suggestions on action that teachers can take, both the protect the children and to protect themselves from being forced into teaching positions they don't feel qualified for?