How to start with spoken english for students of Age 4 to8.
Assistance needed.
Thank you for using the Jiskha Homework Help Forum. Talking about 2nd language acquisition follows a sequential pattern and does not happen overnight! Since you are talking of youngsters that may not yet have the skills of reading and writing.
Here are the "stages" of 2nd language acquisition:
1. Silent/Receptive or Preproduction Stage. This can take from 10 hours to 6 months. The child needs to hear a LOT of repetition. He/She may repeat but it is only parroting. Many learn a lot from watching TV because that is both visual and auditory.
2. Early Production Stage. This takes up to 6 months. The use of pictures is very helpful and the child can answer "yes/no" or "who, what, where, etc." questions. Short answers can be expected.
3. Speech Emergen ce Stage. This takes about a year but the child begins to use dialogue and ask simple questions.
4. Intermediate Language Proficiency Stage. This can take up to another year.
5. Advanced Language Proficiency Stage. Now it's about 4-10 years.
All this depends upon the person learning as everyone learns at a different rate. The stages are: listening & repeating, reading and last of all writing. Since everyone has a different style of learning, it will be helpful to know if this "student" learns best by hearing, seeing, or kinesthetically, which means must be physically involved to learn.
Of course, if you make it a "game" a child of that age will learn fastest. Also having someone who is already bilingual as a "buddy" is helpful.
Best of luck! Feel free to ask any other questions you may have, including activities but don't be afraid to get creative!
Here are some sites that may be useful.
http://esl.about.com/od/teachingchildren/Teaching_Children_ESL_Young_Learners_ESL.htm
http://members.aol.com/adrmoser/tips/tips.html
http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Brown-ChildrensLit.html
http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/0301coltrane.html
http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/products/sharing-ideas/graney/strategies.html
http://esl.about.com/od/teachingenglish/Teaching_English_Techniques_Resources_Certificates_Employment.htm
Starting with spoken English for students aged 4 to 8 involves a combination of listening, speaking, and interactive activities. Here are some steps to help you get started:
1. Introduce basic vocabulary: Begin by teaching simple everyday words such as colors, animals, fruits, and objects. Use flashcards or real objects to make the learning process interactive and engaging.
2. Develop listening skills: Encourage students to listen to English songs, rhymes, and stories. This helps them become familiar with the sounds and rhythm of the language. Use audio resources specifically designed for young learners.
3. Role-play and conversation: Create opportunities for students to practice speaking English through role-playing activities. Provide them with props or costumes and let them act out different scenarios. Give them prompts or simple conversation starters to encourage speaking in English.
4. Engage in interactive games: Make learning fun with games that involve speaking and listening. For example, play "Simon Says" using English commands or use picture-based board games where students have to name the objects they land on.
5. Use interactive online resources: There are plenty of online platforms and apps that offer interactive English lessons for young learners. Look for age-appropriate materials that provide a mix of listening, speaking, and interactive exercises.
6. Encourage language immersion: Create an English-rich environment both inside and outside the classroom. Label objects in English, use English phrases during daily routines, and encourage students to use English when communicating with peers or teachers.
7. Celebrate progress: Praise students for their efforts and progress. Provide positive reinforcement whenever they speak in English, even if it's just a few words or simple phrases.
Remember, consistency and patience are key when teaching young learners. Make sure to adapt the activities to suit the children's interests and learning styles, and always provide a supportive and encouraging environment.