Week 3: The Little Ones

‘Teaching English in the Primary Classroom’ by Susan Halliwell

Based on the book, Pn.Foziah got us to sit in groups and prepare a presentation. We were referring to Chapter 1: Working with Young Language Learners. This chapter explains that when children go into the classroom, they bring something with them. The have the capacity, instinct, and ability for learning. Therefore, teachers’ responsibility is to create learning based on what they bring into the classroom.

These are the 6 elements:

Children's ability to grasp meaning

For young learner, they usually make sense of their learning if teacher teach concrete vocabulary items that include well-illustrated teaching aids. These meaningful learning experiences make children enable to grasp meaning easily.

Children's creative use of limited language resources

Children's vocabulary is very limited. Therefore, young learner initially learn chunk of language in an unanalyzed way. They are trying to use as creative as possible their limited language resources in order to make others get the meaning and as a way of communication with others.

Children's capacity for indirect learning

Learning occurs in 2 ways-direct & indirect learning. Children often appear to learn in indirect experiences. They acquire certain knowledge and skills subconsciously. The best part of children learning is when they have some fun during teaching and learning process. Creating a non-threatening atmosphere is very essential for them.

Children's instinct for play and fun

Children like to play. Having fun is the best thing that happened in their life. Thus, learning in a fun environment helps them acquire knowledge better.

The role of imagination

Children who actively use their imagination gain lots of benefits such as playing collaboratively and become a creative-thinking person.

The instinct for interaction

Children always want to interact and play. Hence, their instinct can be used in educated way to engage learning in them.

I would say that it is an advantage for teachers. We do not necessarily teach the pupils from scratch. Instead, we can build knowledge based on what they already have. Even Einstein agreed.

“I never teach my pupils, I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.” ~ Albert Einstein ~