Chapter 4 - part 2 el330
Teaching Young Learners English
Title: Teaching Young Learners English: From Theory to Practice
Authors: Dr. Joan Kang Shin; Dr. JoAnn (Jodi) CrandallDeveloped by: Dr. Marine Milad
Introduction
Purpose of the Chapter
This chapter aims to explore fundamental principles essential for teaching listening and speaking skills to young learners effectively. It emphasizes the significance of making listening input comprehensible while also checking for comprehension throughout the learning process. Moreover, the chapter focuses on the importance of vocabulary building and pronunciation as crucial elements in developing these language skills.
The chapter includes examples of various techniques and activities that are suitable for primary classrooms, including:
Total Physical Response (TPR): An interactive method that encourages learners to respond physically to verbal commands, aiding language retention.
Songs and Rhymes: Utilizing music and rhythm to reinforce vocabulary and pronunciation in an enjoyable manner.
Chants and Games: Engaging young learners through playful activities that promote language use in a relaxed environment.
Anecdote
An enlightening anecdote by Anado (2007) illustrates the practical implications of language skills; it tells the story of a mouse that cleverly used her second language skills to save her young from a pursuing cat, highlighting the importance of communication in critical situations.
Theory, Planning, and Application
Interconnection of Listening and Speaking
Listening and speaking are interdependent skills in language learning, with real-life communication often necessitating two-way conversations. It’s essential for educators to acknowledge this interplay to facilitate a more integrated approach to language teaching.
Challenges in Teaching Speaking
Difficulties in Learning to Speak
Learning to speak fluently can be challenging as it requires the simultaneous processing of thoughts and spoken language. Young learners may experience anxiety when joining conversations, stemming from a fear of making mistakes. Additionally, cultural factors might deter learners from participating in class discussions, necessitating sensitive awareness from educators.
Teaching Considerations
Principles for Teaching Speaking
An understanding of the context in which language is used, along with appropriate pronunciation, greatly facilitates effective communication. Teachers should be flexible in adapting activities based on the varying developmental levels of their learners, ensuring inclusivity in the classroom.
Characteristics of Speaking
Speaking serves as a primary medium for two-way oral communication. Young learners are simultaneously developing their native languages and English, so it is crucial for teachers to guarantee that communication activities are suitable for their age and cognitive levels.
Standards for Speaking Skills
Importance of Age-Appropriate Standards
The chapter discusses the significance of age-appropriate standards, such as the Common Core Standards for listening and speaking in the United States. These standards serve as benchmarks to gauge the skills children can master at different grade levels, ensuring educators can tailor their instruction effectively.
Comparison of Standards
Kindergarten vs. Fifth Grade
Kindergarten Students: Focus on participating in simple collaborative conversations; confirming understanding; and asking relevant questions.
Fifth-Grade Students: Engage in more complex discussions, demonstrating skills like summarizing ideas, elaborating on discussions, and contributing thoughtfully during conversations.
Presentation of Knowledge
Comparison of Standards
The comparison of standards related to knowledge presentation shows that kindergarten students focus on describing and providing details with support, while fifth graders emphasize logical sequencing and the use of multimedia to enhance their presentations.
Application of Standards
Using Standards as Reference
Utilizing these standards as reference points in English as a foreign language classes aids educators in understanding the intricacies of communication, which is inherently a complex process requiring various interrelated skills.
Understanding Communication
Challenges in Communication
This section emphasizes the numerous opportunities for misunderstanding during communication processes, underlining the need for clear processes and effective teaching strategies.
Steps of Communication
Effective Communication Steps
Outlined steps for effective communication highlight potential areas for misunderstanding—even among native speakers—making it crucial for learners to develop awareness.
Fluency vs. Accuracy
Balancing Fluency and Accuracy
There is a strong emphasis on the importance of developing fluency alongside grammatical accuracy. For young learners, message-oriented approaches that prioritize conveying meaning over perfect grammar are favored.
Unanalyzed Chunks
Method for Teaching Young Learners
Teaching formulaic language—such as common phrases—can significantly contribute to early language acquisition, with an emphasis on the importance of repetition and imitation in developing speaking skills.
Seven Principles for Teaching Speaking
Key Principles
Build classroom routines using English to foster a supportive language environment.
Reflect real-life communication in classroom activities to improve relevance and application.
Ensure activities are age-appropriate and developmentally suitable for learners.
Use a variety of methods focused on improving both accuracy and fluency among students.
Foster student interaction through structured activities and peer-to-peer collaboration.
Create an active speaking environment that encourages ongoing language use.
Equip students with negotiation skills necessary for effective communication in various contexts.
TEYL Tips
Cooperative Learning Techniques
Highlighting the importance of real language responses in cooperative learning settings, structured Q&A routines can significantly enhance students' conversational skills.
Effective Activities
Listening and Speaking Activities
Activities are categorized into three stages: Pre-Task, During, and Post Task, to ensure a comprehensive approach to engaging students in listening and speaking.
Pre-Task Activities
Activities Before Listening
Prior to engaging in listening tasks, it is essential to activate students' prior knowledge and introduce useful vocabulary to set the foundation for understanding the content.
During Listening Activities
Techniques for Engagement
Employing visuals and engaging tasks during listening activities ensures active listening, with the approach of providing multiple exposures to content for better retention.
Post Task Activities
Activities After Listening
Following listening tasks, conducting comprehension checks and smooth transitions to speaking activities enhances understanding and practical use of language.
Use of Humor
Jokes and Riddles for Engagement
Incorporating humor, such as jokes and riddles, serves as an enjoyable method to reinforce language concepts and enhance speaking abilities.
Language Games
Engaging Language Games
Language games like running dictation, telephone, and hot seat encourage participation and active use of the language in a fun and engaging manner.
Information Gap Activity
Questionnaire Exercise
Using engaging surveys facilitates improved speaking skills, allowing students to enhance their conversational abilities by gathering and sharing information.
Lesson on Farm Animals
Profile and Objectives
This section outlines a lesson aimed at teaching students to identify various farm animals, utilizing engaging methods that focus on both listening and speaking skills.
Warm-Up Activities
Pre-Listening Review Activities
Reviewing previous lessons helps students connect previously learned knowledge with new concepts, enhancing retention and understanding.
During Listening Activities
Presenting Texts and Chants
Interactive chants related to the lesson content successfully engage students, keeping their interest high and facilitating language practice.
Pair Work Activity
Controlled Practice
Students practice identifying animals together, providing opportunities for cooperative learning and reinforcement of language usage.
Independent Activity
Creative Naming and Role-Play
Encouraging creativity in animal identification through role-playing allows students to practice language skills in a dynamic environment.
Chapter Summary
Main Points
This chapter concludes with the main points underscoring the critical nature of listening and speaking skills as active processes where comprehension checks are vital for successful communication.
Teaching Principles Recap
Summary of Listening and Speaking Principles
A thorough review of the seven key principles for effective listening and speaking activities that educators can utilize in their teaching methods.
Discussion Questions
Suggested Reflection Questions
The chapter presents suggested questions to explore various aspects of programming, language learning techniques, and fostering classroom engagement for young learners.
Lesson Planning Exercise
Incorporate Key Elements
An exercise designed for teachers to plan lessons that integrate diverse and engaging activities for young learners.
Reflection on Repetition
Ensuring Language Acquisition
This final section discusses strategies for ensuring that language acquisition goes beyond mere repetition, enabling deeper learning and retention in young students.