Session 04: Teaching English in primary classroom

Question 1

why should children learn a foreign language at an early stage?

Answer 1

• right pronunciation is easier to learn, since they pay more attention to sound and intonation patterns
• they have have to know that there are other languages around
• learning in an early age is playful and fun
• open-mindedness
• prepares them for later, they get used to it

Question 2

Name 6 aims for the primary classroom

Answer 2

1. English as global language
2. Cultural awareness
3. Laguage awareness
4. Positive Mindset
5. Self-Confidence
6. Language skills

Question 3

Name and briefly describe three approaches for primary classroom teaching

Answer 3

1. Contact method: Teacher is completely free, no reserved lessons -> play around with the language, not limited
   Problem: no goals, no structure, no standard way -> learning any skills
   2.Early Start: Applied most commonly today -> play around with the language but with reserved lessons
   rough curriculum and goals
2. Immersion: Bilingual education, Eng. from the beginning

Question 4

Outline the characteristic of primary methodology

Answer 4

Frequent methodological change through:
- Rhymes, songs, puppets
- situative contexts
- Adventure and experience-oriented
- Oral primacy
- Reading/writing activities

IMPORTANT:
Children lose interest very quickly, hence you need to provide a variety of different playful activities (methodological change)
Keep the interest up and relate to the learners personal loves and interests

Question 5

Describe the problem with entering 5th grade

Answer 5

Curriculums expectations in most cases do not add up to reality. Many children do not have the wanted knowledge and suffer from a lack of motivation