Introduction

Teaching English to children can be very rewarding. One of the best parts about teaching kids is having the opportunity to share our knowledge and experience with them. Sometimes, however, teaching English myths can give students a negative impression of the language. This blog post will discuss ten common myths teachers have told their students while teaching them English, so they know what not to say when conducting their classes!

Why should teachers be careful while teaching kids?

English teaching is a discipline that requires particular and accurate information. Students may not know the difference between fact and fiction, so incorrect teaching can severely affect their beliefs. With that being said, let''s check out the myths teachers tell while teaching kids! While teaching kids, even one misinformation can cause a lifelong issue.

1. There Is No Difference Between American & British English

Teachers who say this may think it''s cute to say, ''We''re all teaching the same language.'' However, it''s not acute at all. There are differences between American English and British English, but even within America, there are many discrepancies in teaching methods! If you go to America and use British English spellings, people are going to be correcting you.

2. You Can Only Use One Grammar Book

Teachers who teach this myth may be trying to make teaching English easier for themselves, but in doing so, they are teaching students to be illiterate! Yes, you do not need multiple grammar books. But when one book doesn''t cover a specific topic in-depth enough or provide examples, teachers must have an extra resource to pull from.

3. You Need To Follow A Curriculum

This is a myth that will be common in teaching abroad. The curriculum often depends on the school and where you teach, so it''s important to know what your program requires! But wherever you go, if a teacher has been there for a long time, they have probably developed their teaching materials based on what works best with their students.

4. Students Should Be Able To Speak English Before You Teach Them Grammar

Absolutely not. If you can teach grammar along with teaching vocabulary and phrases, this is the best way to go about it. Students will be able to understand more of what you are teaching them if they already know some essential words or phrases in English. This also offers an excellent opportunity for students who study alone at home because now they have something else to practice!

5. Native English Speakers Teach Better

Not all native English speakers will be able to teach kids. Teaching kids take a lot of effort, and only trained professionals can do it. This myth stems from the fact that native English speakers think teaching kids is easy and do not realize how much effort it takes to teach kids.

6. Teaching Kids Is All About Fun!

Not all teaching has to be fun for students. This myth makes teachers feel that teaching English should be about having fun with their students, but teaching kids is not always fun. Kids will eventually think that their teacher isn''t serious about the language, so they''ll start losing interest. Thus never tell kids that teaching English is all about fun.

7. To Learn English, The Students Must Stop Speaking Their Native Tongue

While teaching English to kids, teachers must not tell them that they can only learn the language if they stop speaking their native tongue. A student who speaks two languages has better learning skills than a student with one language. That is why teaching kids should be all about teaching them how to say both of their native tongues and teaching English so students can develop their skills.

8. It''s Okay To Not Focus On Writing English

Definitely not! Students who know how to speak English must also excel in reading and writing English. They must learn to write essays and stories in English so they can develop their language skills. Without writing skills, the child will not be able to figure out how a sentence is actually formed.

9. Teaching Kids Grammar Is A Waste Of Time

Teaching kids grammar is not only okay, but it''s also essential for them to know how the language works before teaching them anything else about speaking or writing English. As mentioned earlier, teaching kids English teaches them how to think, so teaching them the language first will help develop their minds.

10. Kids Don''t Learn Well In A Classroom Setting

This might be true for some students, but others learn well in a more traditional setting. As long as they have access to technology and other resources to enhance their learning, teaching kids English in a classroom environment can be beneficial.

Final thoughts

Not all teachers say such myths in class, but there are some cases where teachers might convey one of these directly or indirectly. Always remember never to pass any false information while teaching kids, for they might end up believing it. Which, in turn, will make them feel bad when someone corrects them.