A study on teachers` awareness of teaching English to young learners

Teaching English to Young Learners (YLs) is recently the subject of much concern inmany countries around the world. In line with this, there is a tendency to ask thequestions whether teachers of YLs are aware of their students? characteristics andwhether they make any modifications in their teaching accordingly. Thus, this studyaims to find out the awareness and perceptions of 4th grade English teachers about thecharacteristics of YLs and about teaching YLs. Seventy English teachers from 37primary schools located in Seyhan, Adana were submitted questionnaires to find abouttheir views about teaching YLs. To support the data collected from the questionnaires,20 teachers were observed during their lessons with their 4th grade students. Followingthe observation, an interview was conducted with the teachers for further questions orcomments. In light of the data gathered, this study will provide implications concerningthe fact that teaching English to YLs requires the use of different techniques,appropriate materials, and special teaching skills.Keywords: Young Learners, 4th grades, primary state schools, teachers? awareness ofYLs, TEYL (Teaching English to Young Learners)