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

1. Build classroom routines using English to foster a supportive language environment.

2. Reflect real-life communication in classroom activities to improve relevance and application.

3. Ensure activities are age-appropriate and developmentally suitable for learners.

4. Use a variety of methods focused on improving both accuracy and fluency among students.

5. Foster student interaction through structured activities and peer-to-peer collaboration.

6. Create an active speaking environment that encourages ongoing language use.

7. 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.