Teaching English to Young Learners

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Teaching English to Young Learners

• KHÍ Grunnskólaskor 2002
• Samuel C Lefever

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Why teach English at the primary level?

• increased use of and exposure to English in daily
  life practical need
• exposes children to understanding of foreign
  cultures tolerance
• links communication to the understanding of new
  concepts
• the earlier you start the more time you get to
  learn the language
• stimulates language awareness benefitting both
  L1 and L2

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Are children better language learners?

• the brain is more adaptable before puberty than
  after L2 acquisition is possible without
  interference from self-consciousness
• children have fewer negative attitudes to foreign
  languages and cultures more open for learning
  languages
• childrens language learning is more closely
  integrated with real communication depends more
  on the immediate physical environment

4
Are children better language learners?

• children are less conscious of learning English
  as a school subject learning comes more
  naturally
• children devote more time to language learning
• Conclusion beginning at an early age can give
  advantages it need not do any harm given the
  availability of trained teachers and the use of
  appropriate materials

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Characteristics of young learners (8-10 years
old)

• keen and enthusiastic motivated
• curious and inquisitive
• outspoken clear views
• learning can be closely linked to the development
  of ideas and concepts
• rely on spoken word as well as the physical world
  to convey and understand meaning

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Characteristics of young learners

• learn by doing/hands-on experience
• (physical movement and activity necessary to
  stimulate thinking understanding comes through
  hands, eyes, and ears)
• a sense of fairness can work with and learn
  from others
• have some sort of language awareness and
  readiness

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Implications for teaching

• words are not enough
• play with the language
• develop the awareness of language
• variety in the classroom
• routines and repetition
• cooperation not competition
• grammar is absorbed student-directed
• assessment and encouragement