Dear Students,
The first lesson for English for Children class is about the characteristics of children. This lesson is taken from Scott and Ytreberg (1990:1-7) and Cameron (2001:1-19).
Here is the summary of the lesson:
General Characteristics of Children
• Their own understanding comes through hands and eyes and ears. The physical world is dominant at all times.
• They have a very short attention and concentration span.
• They sometimes have difficulty in distinguishing the real world and the imaginary one.
• They are enthusiastic and positive about learning.
Children from age five to seven
• Can talk about what they are doing
• Can tell about what they have done or heard
• Can plan activities
• Can argue about something
• Can use logical reason
• Can use vivid imaginations
• Can use a wide range of intonation patterns in L1
• Can understand direct human interaction
Children from age eight to ten
• Can tell the difference between fact and fiction
• Ask questions all the time
• Rely on the spoken words as well as the physical words
• Able to make some decisions about their own learning
• Have definite views of what they like and dislike doing
• Able to work with others and learn from others
Eight things to consider in teaching a foreign language to children
1. Words are not enough
a. Most activities for the younger learners should include movement and involve the senses.
b. The teacher must use plenty of objects and pictures to work with.
c. The teacher should demonstrate what he/she wants the children to do.
2. Play with the language
The teacher should: Make up rhymes, Sing songs, Tell stories, Let the children experiment with words and sounds
3. Language as language
a. The spoken word should be accompanied by other clues of meaning: facial expression, movement, gestures, etc.
b. Reading and writing are extremely important for the child growing awareness of language
4. Variety in the classroom
The teacher should use variety of activity, pace, organization, voice
5. Routines
The teacher should have systems and routines, organize and plan the lessons, use familiar situations and activities, repeat stories, rhymes, and songs
6. Cooperation not competition
The teacher should make room for shared experiences, give the feeling of belonging and togetherness, and encourage group work and cooperation
7. Grammar
Children have an amazing ability to absorb language through play and other activities which they find enjoyable. So, introduce grammar through songs and music, plays and stories, and games.
8. Assessment
The teacher should make regular notes about each child’s progress, talk to the children regularly about their work, and encourage the children to make self assessment
5 comments:
Assalamualaikum wr.wb..
My name is susilawati 031105080 / VII-C
I have read you blog about characteristics of children. Now, I can know what characteristics of children are. I think children have characteristics that very unique and every child is smart because they usually want to know every thing. In your blogs, I read about “the children have very short attention”, I want ask to you, how to make children still give attention when they study and I also want ask about way to handle the class with students that have different characteristic, sometimes in the class have a student very active than others students..That all I hope you answer my questions, thanks….
Assalamualaikum.
Good Morning Mam!!
I'm Dian Andriani from class A/VII, 031105012.
I really enjoyed your class Mam.
Because I want to be a good teacher, I should know the students' characteristics especially children' characteristics and after I studied this subject I got much information about it. Thanks Mam...
Children have different characteristics and desire. They are unique human, creative and imaginative.
Actually I agree that if children tell something, their parents and teacher should respond or hear them because it can influence their growth and ability.
That's all Mam.
Thank You
Wassalamualaikum.
Assalamuallaikum
I’m Epih Sukmawati from class VII/A, 031105004.
I think learning the characteristics of children is interesting and useful. It is not only useful for me who study in EESP but it is will be useful for people who will be a parents someday. I hope the information in this lesson will give me easier to have close relationship with children. Thanks all mam. Wassalamualaikum wr.wb.
Assallamualaikum Mrs. atti..
I'm Shelly jayantie/031105081/VII C
I have read your blog about the characteristics of the children. I consider, before I know it, I usually ignore my students intelligence at the elementary school. Meanwhile, not every child has a same characteristics. I usually do the lecturing method and some games that it is only for visual, kinesthetic or auditory students. I often forgot that in my big class ( consist of 70 kids) there must be other intelligences. So, I think from now I should make a lesson plan and I should teach them with more various method that can covered their intelligences and they will be more easy to absorb the material that I will be given to them.
That's all from me. Thank you..
wassallamualaikum wr.wb
Assallamualaikum Mrs. atti..
I am Aang Sutiawan/031105026/VII C
I have just read your blog about the characteristics of the children. I realize that children have many unique characteristic that sometimes make the adult laugh and angry. Because of that I like children so much. In my teaching children experience,I often get the difficulties to get their attention. Because of that, I have to always change my teaching method to make them keeping attention while learning.
That's all from me. Thank you..
wassallamualaikum wr.wb
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