Young Learners

Creative, curious and confident

Supporting Young Learners in the English classroom


What does it mean to teach Young Learners today?

Teaching English to children and teens means much more than vocabulary and grammar. It's about supporting developing minds, sparking curiosity, and building confidence in a global language.

In the Young Learners strand at FoELT 2026, we’ll explore practical, age-appropriate ways to engage and support young learners — from the first day of primary school to the teenage years. Sessions are led by educators and specialists who understand the challenges and opportunities of working with this dynamic group.

Whether you work in a private language centre, public school, or summer camp, you’ll find fresh insights, practical tools, and relatable stories to inspire your work.

What to expect from the Young Learners strand

  • Live webinars and expert panels from classroom practitioners and thought leaders
  • Ideas for motivating and managing learners aged 3–17
  • Focus on inclusive practice, creativity, and learner agency
  • Strategies for developing speaking, listening, and interactional skills
  • Q&A opportunities with presenters
  • Access to recordings after the event

Click the link below to explore the FoELT 2026 programme and get an overview of the sessions held at this year’s event.

View programme

Our FoELT 2026 speakers


Daniel Man-Hon Tse

Daniel Man-Hon Tse

Developing oracy through collaborative group projects with Young Learners and teenagers

Maria Di Carluccio

Maria Di Carluccio

Thinking through language: an inclusive approach to EFL and critical thinking

Christina Konstantakelis

Christina Konstantakelis

“Once upon a lesson…”: teaching YLs stories online and beyond

Panoraia Balali

Panoraia Balali

Think thrills: riddles and conundrums in the classroom

Powered by Trinity College London

This strand is supported by Trinity’s expertise in assessing and supporting young learners of English worldwide.

  • Trinity Stars — A performance-based award encouraging confidence and creativity in pre-A1 learners
  • GESE for Young Learners — Speaking and listening tests from beginner to advanced levels, tailored to different age groups

Live and on-demand sessions

All FoELT 2026 sessions were delivered live via Zoom. Selected session recordings will soon be available directly within the interactive programme.

Once available, you’ll be able to:

  • Watch live in your browser – no downloads required
  • Revisit sessions at your own pace
  • Share recording links with colleagues
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