This book is not a theoretical analysis of teaching language to young learners, nor is it a resource manual with a list of ready ideas and 'tips' for classroom use. Instead, it aims to discuss and bring together research relevant to children and language learning and principles in classroom practice. The book is organized into eleven chapters: 1. Learning and development 2. Learning the first language at home and at school 3. Learning a second/third language at home and at school 4. Policy: primary ELT programmes 5. Teaching listening and speaking 6. Teaching reading and writing 7. Teaching vocabulary and grammar 8. Learning to learn (helping children develop learning strategies) 9. Materials evaluation and materials design 10. Assessment 11. Research in the primary English classroom Each chapter ends with a list of recommended reading, a survey of background theory, references to various practical teacher resources, and a set of follow-up tasks suitable both for trainee teachers and practising teachers using the book independently.