Effective Strategies for Teaching Very Young Learners
Using Mother Tongue in VYL Education
1) Reasons to Use the Mother Tongue:
Security: Some children need time to adjust to the school environment and the target language. Using their mother tongue can ease this transition, gradually introducing more English.
Need for Communication: Children need to share information. Allowing them to communicate in their mother tongue fosters learning and builds teacher-student relationships. Their input can also be used for vocabulary and language activities.
Giving Instructions: Using the mother tongue for instructions can be more effective, especially when introducing new activities. Start with English, then use the mother tongue for clarity. Gradually transition to English only.
Avoiding Mother Tongue in VYL Education
2) Ways to Avoid Using the Mother Tongue:
Gestures: Use gestures, actions, pictures, and mime to convey meaning, especially with young learners who rely on body language.
Similar English Words: Use English words that are similar to the child’s mother tongue, such as ‘Very good’ followed by ‘Excellent’ for Romance language speakers.
International English: Incorporate commonly used English words like taxi, hamburger, T-shirt, jeans, cinema to make learning easier.
English Hats: Use a special hat to signal when English should be used. When wearing the ‘English Hat,’ only English is spoken and understood. Dolls and puppets that ‘only understand English’ can also encourage English speaking.
Key Concepts in Teaching VYL
3) Concepts in Relation to Teaching VYL:
Attention Span: Change activities every five to ten minutes to maintain attention. Note activities that engage the whole group. Introduce new activities gradually, as familiarity is important for this age group.
The ‘Silent Period’: Allow children time to absorb language before speaking. Avoid forcing them to speak, as this can cause stress. Repetitive songs, rhymes, games, and choral work can help children produce language without pressure.
Advantages of Teaching Preschoolers
4) Advantages of Teaching the Pre-School Age Group:
Teachers often have no strict syllabuses, tests, or performance objectives, making classes enjoyable for both teachers and pupils. Activities can be repeated if the children enjoy them.
Young children are less inhibited, imaginative, and not bound by adult logic. They are curious, keen to learn, and receptive, without negative attitudes from previous school experiences.