Systematic Review of Preschool English Language Teaching: Research Trends (2015–2025)
Abstract
In today’s globalized world, English language teaching (ELT) in preschool education has gained significant importance. Compared to previous years, young learners are exposed to English more intensively because English is regarded as the lingua franca. Therefore, this study systematically examines the articles related to ELT in preschool education. For this reason, this review aims to identify emerging themes, pedagogical approaches, and research trends in preschool ELT between 2015 and 2025. After applying inclusion criteria, a total of 13 peer-reviewed studies from Web of Science, Scopus, and ERIC were analyzed through thematic coding following PRISMA guidelines. Findings indicate that early childhood education has gained increasing importance, especially in the last decade regarding teacher training, curriculum design, bilingualism, and family involvement. However, challenges related to policy implementation, teacher preparedness, and equity in ELT remain underexplored in early childhood education. The review concludes with key interrelated fields such as early bilingual education and parental engagement that can contribute to future research and policy development in early childhood education.
Keywords
References
- Aldemir, J., & Kurt, G. (2014). A program review: Turkish early childhood education preservice teachers’ perceptions about teacher and teaching. SAGE Open, 4(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244014548847
- Almanea, M., Mohsen, M., & Mahdi, H. S. (2024). Is “the earlier, the better” for EFL in Saudi Arabia? Insights from early grades EFL teachers at Saudi primary schools. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 23(10), 123–155. https://ijlter.org/index.php/ijlter/article/view/11489
- Barac, R., & Bialystok, E. (2011). Cognitive development of bilingual children. Language Teaching, 44(1), 36–54. doi:10.1017/S0261444810000339
- Becerra-Lubies, R., Mayo, S., & Fones, A. (2021). Revitalization of indigenous languages and cultures: Critical review of preschool bilingual educational policies in Chile (2007–2016). International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 24(8), 1147-1162. https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2018.1563584
- Belda-Medina, J., & Calvo-Ferrer, J. R. (2022). Preservice teachers’ knowledge and attitudes toward digital-game-based language learning. Education Sciences, 12(3), 182. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12030182
- Butler, Y. G. (2015). English language education among young learners in East Asia: A review of current research (2004–2014). Language Teaching, 48(3), 303-342. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0261444815000105
- Calzada, E. J., Huang, K. Y., Hernandez, M., Soriano, E., Acra, C. F., Dawson-McClure, S., Kamboukos, D., & Brotman, L. (2015). Family and teacher characteristics as predictors of parent involvement in education during early childhood among Afro-Caribbean and Latino immigrant families. Urban Education, 50(7), 870–896. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042085914534862
- Cortina-Pérez, B. (2022). Teaching English to pre-primary children: Educating very young children. ELT Journal, 76(2), 301–303. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccac007
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
English As A Second Language
Journal Section
Review
Publication Date
February 24, 2026
Submission Date
August 22, 2025
Acceptance Date
February 1, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 1970 Volume: 9 Number: 1