Do you want to be TEFL or TESOL-certified and teach in Zhaocun Zhen? Are you interested in teaching English in Xianyang Shi? Check out ITTT’s online and in-class courses, Become certified to Teach English as a Foreign Language and start teaching English ONLINE or abroad! ITTT offers a wide variety of Online TEFL Courses and a great number of opportunities for English Teachers and for Teachers of English as a Second Language.
Theories of early child development establish new standards of early education. Our days ,bilingual kindergartens are very common and some even offer 3 languages of study. What is important to take into consideration while planning curriculum for kindergarten ?Teaching English as a second language in kindergarten is impossible without understanding of general early child development . Usual kindergarten age is 2- 6 years old . By the age of two, most of kids start to understand their mother language rather clearly and are able to express their basic thoughts and needs by using simple sentences . How did they learn to use their first language? Usually it happens in natural way and parents don’t need to put much afford to teach their child to speak and understand . They (or other adults ) need to be around and to communicate with their child . As teaching method, we call it language immersion. As outside surrounding will probably be not english - speaking, it is our task to create English environment during kindergarten time. Only through language immersion small kids can really learn foreign language. In this case , english teacher turns to be kindergarten teacher . His main duty is to provide language environment by daily communication with kids, giving them instructions and playing with them. Is it enough for language development ? Probably not . Here again we can take first language development as our model . If we keep it only on daily used level, our vocabulary will be rather poor. If we want to enrich our kids vocabulary, we need to turn to literature. Songs,chants,finger games ,story telling - all those things have to be part of kids school routine. It is very effective memorization technique and great fun for kids. They can be used as a part of morning circle as well as during different “waiting periods”: while kids are lining up , or waiting for their food , or while waiting for their friends to finish activities. Small kids have very different rates and songs and finger games are excellent tools for teachers to keep their young learners busy. Story time will build kids vocabulary as well as teach them to like books. Exposing young kids to books will also help to build their reading skills in future. Different group activities, such as music, rhythmic,art ,baking or even science are also great method to build vocabulary while teaching kids different life skills.This is great opportunity for teachers to teach more advanced vocabulary . It is science proven that using of both sides of the brain simultaneously accelerate learning process. Part of our brain that is in charge of movement (specially finger movement )is very close to language zone of our brain . Some scientist even call hands organs of speech and it is proven that hand movement helps to improve language learning . English drama lesson is great example of this method and can be used for kindergarten level. While teaching English as second language in a kindergarten, we concentrate on development of their speaking and listening skills. There are different theories when reading and writing of L1 need to be taught but I believe it can be postponed in L2. By the age of 5, when kids usually start to show natural interest in reading and writing, some basic of those skills can be added to class curriculum. However, if kid’s speaking and understanding are still poor, i would rather concentrate on development of those skills. In language immersion , when language studying is based on communication,teacher’s personality is as important as his teaching skills. If teacher will build close and trustful relationships with kids, find his way to communicate with them,if kids will enjoy his company, they will put afford in communication with their teacher, even if their language abilities will be very poor in the beginning . It is important for teacher to use only English.If kids will realise they can use L1 for communication , they will prefer to do it as it is easier for them. .It might be helpful to have L1 speaking assistant or second teacher in the class , specially in the beginning of school year. Big advantage of this method is that kids feel confident in a new language as they feel confident in their mother tongue. They don’t think about English as foreign language, but as about second language.
