Aspects to Consider in Teaching English to Young Learners

What are the delights and difficulties of teaching English to young learners?
What are kids generally likes?

• Physically active
• Enthusiastic
• Short span of concentration
• Imaginative
• Get bored easily
• Egocentric
• Musical (chant)
• Great capacity of learning

Cognitive Development
Primary components of Jean Piaget's 4-Stage Model:

• Sensorimotor 0-2 years
• Preoperational 2-7 years
• Concrete Operations 7-11 years
• Formal Operations 12+ years

Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years)

• Infant's world consists of the immediate environment
• Interact and learn by sensory input (hearing, feeling, seeing) with motor capabilities (= holistic learning)
• Gradually learn to control their own bodies as well as objects in the external world.
• The ultimate task at this stage is to achieve the sense that objects go on existing even when we cannot see them (Object Constancy/Permanence). 

Preoperational Stage (2-7 years)

• Developing ability to employ images and symbols, especially language
• Play becomes key in learning. Begin to see use of symbolism ini pretend play (e.g. Use a broomstick as a "horse")
• Child's view of the world is egocentric
• Logical organization of thoughts remains undeveloped (e.g. unable to apply principles yet)

Concrete Operations (7-12 years)

• Perform logical operations, but only in relation to concrete objects, not abstract ideas.
• Basic math skills developed (counting, addition, subtraction) as well as an understanding of conservation. 
• Can sort items into categories, reverse the direction of their thinking, and think about two concepts simultaneously. 
• Able to understand a situation from another person’s perspective.

Formal Operations (12+ years)

• Begin to think logically and abstractly, including speculations about what might happen in the future. 
• Theoretical, philosophical,  and scientific reasoning becomes possible
• Abstract concepts and moral values become as important as concrete objects.
• With these newly developed thinking abilities, adolescents begin to reinterpret and revise their knowledge base. 

The Implications

• Classroom habits
• Teacher talk
• What are the activities like?
• What are the materials like?

Classroom Habits: How?

• Building up teachers' confidence and self-esteem
• Building up learners' self-esteem
• Creating a positive classroom atmosphere
• Building up class rules and procedures

Teachers' Talk

• Use English to teach English
• Teacher as a model
• Teacher as a caretaker
• Characteristics:
1. Simple
2. Slow
3. Repeating, recasting, reacting positively
4. Exaggerated pronunciation
5. Language accompanying actions

What are the activities like?

• Varied: stir and settle
• Fun
• Hands-on/practical
• Lively-paced/dynamic
• Involve interaction

What are the materials like?

• Realistic
• One thing at a time
• Integrated
• Allow learners to get involved
• Recycle (reinforced in other parts)

A good textbook is ...

• Objectives explicitly lain out in the introduction and implemented in the material
• Content clearly organized and graded (Principles = Krashen's comprehensible input)
• Interesting and varied topics and tasks
• Fluently practice in all four skills
• Periodic review and test section
• Clelar, attractive lay out; print easy to read
• Adequate guidance for the teacher
• Audio cassettes

How do we assess (very) young learners?

1. Portfolio assessment
2. Structured assessment activities/tasks
3. Observation
4. Traditional tests