Both Cambridge ESOL and Trinity College London validate courses which are designed to train EFL teachers to work with young learners. The Cambridge ESOL CELTYL (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Young Learners has six main units of learning:

• Language awareness
• The learner, the teacher and the teaching/learning context
• Planning for effective teaching of young learners of English
• Classroom management and teaching skills for teaching English to young learners
• Resources and materials for teaching English to young learners
• Professional development for teachers of English to young learners.

The course also includes teaching practice and observation of experienced teachers in the classroom.

Cambridge ESOL also validate the YL extension to CELTA. This extension course enables teachers to develop their skills and knowledge from a CELTA course and transfer them to the young learner teaching environment. Successful candidates are issued with a certificate confirming the additional award of the Young Learner extension. For more details go to: http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/teaching-awards/celtyl.html

The Trinity College London Cert. TEYL (Teaching English to Young Learners) is similar to the Cert. TESOL but with a special emphasis on skills for teaching children. It is designed for those with little or no experience of teaching English to young learners whose first language is not English. It provides trainees with the basic skills and knowledge needed to teach young learners. It gives an introduction to the theory and practice of contemporary English teaching, an insight into the challenges facing the learner, and an overview of the role of the teacher. It prepares teachers to identify teaching methods, materials and methods of assessment appropriate to young learners. The course includes supervised teaching practice.
For more details go to: http://www.trinitycollege.co.uk/site/?id=205

The SKOLA Trinity Young Learners Extension course (STYLE) is a two-week full time programme designed for teachers with a Cert TESOL or equivalent who wish to develop their skills in teaching ESOL to young learners. The course includes approaches and techniques for teaching young learners from the age of 8 upwards and includes observation of young learner classes, as well as observed, assessed teaching practice.
For further details go to: http://www.trinitycollege.co.uk/site/?id=1447

Many private schools and universities in the UK offer short courses for teachers who want to improve their skills in teaching young learners. For a list of these courses go to: www.educationuk.org. From the drop down Your Study Options menu, choose Study English in the UK. Then choose Courses for Teachers under Types of Course.

Some universities in the UK offer Masters' courses in teaching young learners including the University of York, the University of Warwick, Leeds University and Aston University. Many ELT post-graduate certificate, diploma and Masters' courses in the UK include an optional module in teaching young learners. Go to the Education UK website (www.educationuk.org) and enter English language teaching under Subject Keyword and Postgraduate under Type of Course to access a list of courses provided by institutions.