Shadowing Practice: How to start teaching kids English - #1 - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Hi guys! My name is Suzi and I'm a South African living in Poland!
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Hi guys! My name is Suzi and I'm a South African living in Poland!
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And I've been Teaching English as a Second Language for the past 8 years.
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And I've had a few people come up to me and ask me, uh, like how do you teach?
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Or would you have any tips for other people who are interested in teaching children English.
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For example. I have this wonderful friend who speaks English perfectly, she speaks French perfectly.
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She's not a teacher, she studied something totally different but a few people have asked her if she would maybe like to teach their kids.
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And she kind of panicked and called me and she asked, "What am I supposed to do?" "I've never taught kids, I don't hang around with kids." How do you teach someone who's not your age, who you think of as some small little alien?
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So I'm gonna give you three tips that could help you feel a little bit more confident on your first meeting or lesson with a small human being who would like to learn English, or who's parents would like this human being to learn English.
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So my first step is tada!
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to sit on the floor So meeting an adult, just imagine, you're meeting this person who's like, so much taller than you and if you look at them and you have to kind of be in this position in order to see their face thats kind of um, kind of scary and intimidating and on top of this, this person is speaking to you, using these words that you have no idea what they mean. But when you sit on the floor you kind of make yourself a little bit more vulnerable, but you're also on the level of this child, which makes them feel a little more comfortable and it makes you more approachable.
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Next tip: Be interested!
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Being interested means reacting to what they're saying or to things that they're doing with interest so for example, asking about a teddy and asking if it's theirs and showing interest in their Teddy.
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Showing interest in um, them making handstands and congratulating them on that showing interest in, for example pictures on their wall and asking, you know "Did you draw this? Is this yours? Wow this is really good!" So just being interested in them and their environment and showing that you want to be there, with this kid, already kind of opens up this wave of friendship.
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Third thing is...
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"You know English!" Which I think is pretty important as a confidence builder.
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Because learning a language isn't actually that difficult. I think a lot of people blocking themselves and they think that no this is impossible I can't do it, I don't know, I don't understand what you're saying so I'm gonna listen to you and I think it's important to find certain things that the child understands and knows and congratulating them on it. Or I do this thing where I kind of trick them into knowing the language.
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I start with a drawing. Drawing in itself is a very very cool way to interact with the child and teach English at the same time. So for example, I would say, OK so.
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"I am drawing a head And now I'm drawing two eyes, a nose and a mouth." "Where are his eyes? Where can you see his eyes?" *Blink Blink* And the child usually points and I'm like "Well done! Yes! That's his eyes!" And then, kinda like, you know "You see? You know English!" So yeah, those were three of the tips that I think could be important as a start.
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If you have any tips on what made your first lessons work or what helped you when you started teaching kids, let me know or if there's some other tips that you would like, you're welcome to let me know too!
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and maybe I can help out.
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Hey guys. So that was my first ever YouTube video and I just wanted to say thanks for watching!
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And I wish you an amazing 2017!
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Bye!

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About This Lesson

This lesson focuses on essential techniques for teaching children English, offering practical advice for both new and experienced educators. Whether you're a parent, tutor, or simply someone interested in improving English-speaking skills for kids, you'll gain valuable insights into fostering a comfortable learning environment. The lesson emphasizes building confidence in young learners and encourages interactive engagement, helping them through fun and relatable methods. By adapting your approach to suit children's needs, you'll not only help them improve their English pronunciation but also create a positive atmosphere for learning.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Approachable - Easily accessible and friendly.
  • Vulnerable - Open to emotional exposure; in this context, making oneself relatable to children.
  • Reacting - Responding to a child's actions or words with genuine interest.
  • Interacting - Engaging in conversation or activities with someone.
  • Confidence builder - Something that enhances self-assurance during the learning process.
  • Drawing - Using art to stimulate conversation and language learning.
  • Teddy - A term often used for stuffed toys, which can be a conversation starter.

Practice Tips

To effectively use the techniques discussed in this lesson, consider employing the shadowing technique when practicing your English speaking skills. This approach involves listening to the video or audio recordings of conversations and then mimicking the intonation and pronunciation of the speakers. Focus on specific sections of the transcript where Suzi emphasizes being interested in the child's surroundings. Use a shadowing app to control the speed of the videos and gradually increase it as you become more comfortable.

For IELTS speaking practice, pay attention to how emotions and reactions can enhance communication. Try to incorporate the key vocabulary into your daily conversations, both during lessons and in social situations, to improve English pronunciation. Always remember, the goal is to create a connection, making it easier for both the teacher and the child to enjoy the learning experience together.

By fostering a friendly environment and embracing interactive learning, you'll help young learners feel more at ease, making your sessions productive and enjoyable. Remember, the more relaxed they are, the easier it becomes for them to engage in English-speaking practice.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

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