Young Learners' Education (Byron Soria)
·
7-12
years old
·
very
young (3-6 years old)
·
Early
primary (7-9 years old)
·
Old/late
primary (10-12 years old
Others:
·
2-5
years old
·
6-8
years old
I believed that Young learner’s
age was just 7 to 12 years. Other aspect that is considered as
misconception is that the teacher is the only person that has to
educate the children. This is false, because students’ education is the responsibility of their parents, of course
teacher is an important support, but not the only responsible. Children’s
education is a work team.
Other misconception based on my own
experience is whoever can teach English to children. Some time ago I worked in
a public school where I could appreciate that reality. Some teachers
considered teaching English to young learners
is a
piece of
cake. They said. “You have to know just colors, numbers, animals, and a pair of
extra words,
that’s all”.
Another important thing that I learned is to use simple language, I mean a clear language.
For instance, if the teacher is going to explain grammar not says rules, or
labeled things, for example, this is simple past etc. Do not use complex words;
try to be clear and precise. Use real and simple examples; provide models to
your students etc.
Finally, if we keep in mind some
misconceptions the learners’ education could be better, and help to the teacher to make an excellent work.
(Byron Soria)
Byrito I am agree with you because I worked with young learners and always as teachers we need to use simple language to undestand us without problems and I think that our profession is very hard and sacrificed and is not well paid.
ReplyDeleteHi Daniela,
DeleteCan you give us a specific example of how you used simple language? because Byron has a point - often teachers of young learners "only" use words to teach them - like colors, numbers, etc. And then, I've noticed, they'll use Spanish for the rest of classroom communication. From what we read and learned about how young learners learn, I think we could say this is a mistake. We can and should use more complex language with out students, all the while keeping it simple. It would be great to hear an example of how to do this, though, because many teachers find it difficult.
I think that if as teachers are learning to young learners we need to use eassy vocabulary according with learner`s age like use simple frases according with the topic and encourage to the students to learn a second language in the classroom.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMaster. Kari I think that you misunderstood me, possibly I made a mistake I apologize for it. When I say (Some teachers considered teaching English to young learners is a piece of cake. They said. “You have to know just colors, numbers, animals, and a pair of extra words, that’s all”.)
ReplyDeleteI am not referring English teacher. I refer to Educators of other signatures think that. The English teacher has an easy work, everybody can learn English children just need to know a few words. Teachers of other signatures think that, for example, when I worked in that place, mathematics teacher always said that. He said “I can teach English I know the colors, animals, etc. I can do that”
I did not want to say that English teacher uses only words to teach them, what I was trying to say with simple word a no complex language was. The teacher does not have to explain grammar, for example, continues past tense is an action that start in the past and…………. I consider that I children don't need that kind of explanation. I believe that is better explained with examples and models. And of course the teacher should speak in English.
Hi Byron,
DeleteI understood you fine. But I do think that English teachers make the mistake (at all levels and with all ages, actually), of thinking students are "speaking" when all they are doing is answering questions with one word at a time, or not participating in sustained speech. Obviously young learners cannot participate in longer complex speeches, but I do think they can do more than what I observe some teachers do. Perhaps that clarifies what I said?
Hello Byron
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your reflection, I agree with you when you say that we have to use a simple language because young learners don’t have any idea about grammar points. Simple language I consider that is monosyllable words such as nouns, verbs, adjectives in order that they practice but also we have to consider use “imperatives” which helps to learn young learners for example: open, close, be quiet etc., etc.
However, something that could be useful in order to teach young learners is use “MIMICS” when you pronounce a word, so YL will relate the word with the mimic.
Hello dear Byron I think that teaching young learners is very different that to teach adults, to work with them we have to give all of us patient, love and the responsability to know that with them we have short time to teach for this reason we need the tecnology.
ReplyDelete(education is the responsibility of their parents)
ReplyDeleteAcoordding to this part i wanto say that it is true because when i was teaching children to young learners some parents were not responsible.They did not control homework at home .This problem created a hole in their knowledge . They interacted put they could develop very well
Hi Byron,
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned in class on Saturday, your reflection got me thinking about school and the parents' responsibility for the learning of their children. It's such a difficult thing nowadays, however, as more and more children are coming from "broken" homes, and more and more parents find themselves stretched thin between working one or more jobs. Here in Quito (and many other growing cities), we have the additional problem of our commute - some commutes take hours a day out of our family life, and parents come home tired and late and are sometimes unable to (or unwilling to) take time to help with their children's education. While we as teachers might say "Of course it's the parents' responsibility to educate their children!", we need to think about who is being hurt when parents DON'T do that. The answer is, of course, that it is the children themselves who suffer, and who have the least control of the situation, which is why, over the years, I have begun to think that we teachers should accept the responsibility head on, and not try to shoulder the blame with the parents. It isn't "fair" to us, but why should the child suffer over a (family) situation they are unable to change? So, in my opinion, the solution is to do most of the learning inside the classroom, and stop relying on homework and the parents to work outside of the classroom to do their "equal share". To me, that would be the best solution to a difficult problem.
But it also brings up the question: as a teacher, what kind of support would you like to have that you currently don't have? More support from parents? authorities? More technology and classroom resources? More time to teach your subject? So many things to advocate for...
Thank you for bringing up this topic. Very interesting.