Here are some ideas for the challenge of teaching English for middle school children.

Here is a typical teaching problem

English for middle school case study:

A bright 11-year-old girl is studying English at middle school and has one private lesson per week. She picks everything up quickly and gets good marks in the tests at school. However, unfortunately, the next week, she has forgotten it all! Each week the private English teacher has to start again, and he thinks that this is because they only have one lesson a week. The teacher wants to make lessons fun. In addition, they would like to motivate their student to do some extra English outside of lesson time. For info, this particular student loves music, singing, drawing, and painting.

English for middle school solutions

In response, I will say that children can remember English learned from one week to the next, even if they only have a lesson for an hour. To achieve this, however, one needs to apply four principles:

1. Do not teach too much new language at a time.

A maximum of six new vocabulary words per lesson or one grammar point is enough.

2. Play revision games in every lesson

In every lesson, spend some time playing revision games that review everything learned so far. Revision games are those that quickly cover a wide range of vocabulary or language. For example, these could be card games that use flashcards, quiz games, brainstorming games, association games, memory games, or story games. All these types of games and plenty more are in 176 English Language Games for Children.

3. Make the language real by using it in context.

It would be ideal for this student to learn English through role-playing because vocabulary and grammar points come alive in natural dialogues. In addition, include props and actions. So, for example, they can prepare and perform skits. Then, finally, have a performance when the play is ready, and show it to parents, or film it. The situation, setting, actions, and frequent repetition through rehearsals mean that the language sticks. Therefore, pupils remember it easily from one week to the next. In fact, experience has shown me that they remember it for years!

You’ll find the perfect book of skits for middle school students below:

Skits for Children Download

Skits for Children Paperback from Amazon

For A2 and B1 levels try these plays instead:

Teen skits Download

Teen skits paperback

4. Exploit the student’s talents.

The more a student enjoys a lesson, the more motivated they will be. Using games and skits are ways to achieve this. In addition, play around with topics that are dear to the heart of your student. In the case of this particular 11-year-old, capitalize on the fact that she is musical. If you teach her English using her favourite songs, she will be singing along to them all week in between lessons. See the resources box below for a blog post all about using songs with pointers on how to go about it.

This particular middle school student also enjoys drawing and painting. Give her projects such as creating flashcards or cards for Happy Families and use them in lesson time. Then, get her to make a board game that you can play together in the next lesson.  Board games can be tailored to whatever vocabulary or grammar you require.

Do share your English for middle school tips with us below. We would love to hear from you! Also, if you need more help with English for middle school – please just ask! I’m here to help.