YL market in Russia and BKC-IH

Nowadays there is rapidly increasing demand for English as a Foreign Language for Young Learners (YL) programmes throughout the world. More and more students in many non-English speaking countries start learning English as early as possible. Moscow, as one of the world's biggest metropolitan centres is not an exception.

Since Russian Perestroika, the city has become more open. There are also many international companies that have their offices in the city now. A great demand for English is determined by the fact that since that time many Russians have been able to travel around the world. They go abroad for business purposes, for studying or vacation. These travelers and employees try to get their children into the way of studying at least one foreign language. The obvious reason they want this is to be less isolated and to be able to keep in touch with the rest of the world. Of course there are career incentives as well.

In response to this demand to English, Moscow offers a huge amount of programmes. Recently the government began to teach foreign languages in basic schools from 5-7 years old, instead of 10, as it was before. Over 60 percent of all Russian students learn English as a foreign language. But regular state or private school is not enough.

There are many schools which teach all subjects in English beginning with the first class. They are either embassy related schools or independent ones but both accept Russian students. There are also English clubs for kids and camp programmes throughout the country. Parents send their children abroad to Great Britain, the US or other English speaking countries to study English as well.

But most of them prefer sending their children to extra curricular language academies where teachers are qualified native English speakers. What is more these English schools require EFL teachers of YL not just for the academic year or during the summer but all year round. Teachers, either experienced or newly qualified, who can teach young learners, are welcome to Moscow all year round.

BKC-IH Moscow is a school of foreign languages with approximately 6000 students per year. There are numerous YL programmes which are increasing from year to year. According to statistics from March 2005 55 % of the school's students are younger than 16 years old (see diagram below).

BKC-IH Schools where young learners study the language are equipped with computers, teaching resources, English libraries, Internet, etc. All BKC -IH teachers are supported and mentored by DOSes / ADOSes and Senior Teachers. There are ADOSes for Very Young Learners (VYL), and Young Learners (YL) programmes as well. We run monthly development seminars for all BKC teachers. For the teachers of young learners there are huge amount of seminar topics. To learn more about seminars for YL teachers simply click here.

With an ever increasing demand for qualified teachers of English to YL in Russia as well as around the world, BKC-IH Teacher Training Centre has started running the IH course for teaching Young Learners - IHCYL. Completing the course gives EFL teachers additional skills and qualifications to teach English to Young Learners anywhere in the world. Usually, these teachers already have some form of pre-service training in teaching English Language to adults (e.g. International House Certificate in Teaching English to Adults / Cambridge CELTA / Trinity TESOL) but some may not have had previous experience teaching Young Learners. BKC-IH teachers are offered considerable discounts for the course.