Robert McLarty

I am very excited by this issue mainly because the theme is Young Learners and, for once, I can honestly say that that sort of teaching is right outside my comfort zone. The articles do a full 360° view of the topic from the importance of talking to parents, teaching as a parent, the need to develop independent learning, the role of grammar and the absolute necessity to allow young learners to ask questions, move around the room and experiment with English.

This will probably be the last editorial I write in New Zealand since by the time the next issue comes out in May, I should be back in the UK. The last four years have flown by and I have really had a great time teaching some amazing students, working with a whole new team of teachers, seeing our profession from a different perspective and sharing so many new ideas with our readers through a constant stream of new and established contributors.

Robert Mclarty continues to look at fluency and describes ideas for working on spontaneity, vocabulary activation, pace and rhythm.

Robert Mclarty suggests that fluency is comprised of several elements which need to be practised at the same time; spontaneity, vocabulary activation, pace, register and appropriacy.

Welcome to our brand new Modern English Teacher incorporating English Teaching professional.