Assigned Reading Reflections (Speaking/Week8-3/2/2009)

This week there is a discussion about “Developing Children's Listening and speaking” in the Apple Book. It is stated that teaching young learner is different from teaching adults. So those who have not got any teaching experience can find a number of useful activities and techniques in this chapter. It is emphasized that teaching needs to be student centered and communication should be authentic because of the characteristic of children. A number of recommendations are listed here such as: focusing on meaning not on correctness; this is really important because children learn through games and they do not need to be corrected. Focus on the value of the activity, not the value of language; this is another aspect of teaching young learners because children tend to internalize the knowledge they do not care with the grammar they use the language just as a vehicle. Focus on collaboration and social development; this is another significant issue that an ESL teacher should bear in mind while teaching young learners. Provide a rich context, including movement, the senses, objects and pictures, and a variety of activities; young learners have a great imagine they can imagine anything they can act as if an astronaut, an actor, a parent etc. They are very active so the teacher needs to tailor the class accordingly the class should contain a variety of interesting activities which grasp everybody’s interests. Teach ESL holistically, integrating the four skills; this is something related with real-life situation in real life this skills are altogether it needs to be same in the ESL class, too. Treat learners appropriately in the light of their age and interest; a teacher need to consider the learners age and level while teaching. Treat language as a tool for children to use for their own social and academic ends; the language should facilitate them to prove students needs. Lastly use language for authentic communication, not as an object for analysis; more than theoretical knowledge something authentic should be focus of the classless while teaching young learners. These techniques might be so helpful in young learner context.