At elementary school the focus often lies on listening and speaking. While listening comprehension is the basis for learning a new language, children often feel differently about that. Many measure their success in their ability to speak. Some become frustrated, because they initially are not able to express much, not noticing how much they understand already. In my research I tried to find a way to help such children appreciate more what they have achieved so far. Through portfolio-work (self-evaluation and reflection) I wanted them to see what is ‘unseen’, as well as get them to think about strategies that improve listening comprehension, as the following study report shows.
The age at which European children start obligatory foreign language education becomes lower and lower. In several member countries of the EU, including Poland, students begin their foreign language classes as early as preschool. Hence, it becomes crucial to research various aspects of foreign language learning at pre-primary level. Parents, who constitute one of the factors influencing the process, seem to play an important role in this age group, as they are undoubtedly role models for such young children. The aim of the article is to examine what parents of very young learners actually know and think about their children’s foreign language learning. The text will include an analysis and discussion of data obtained from questionnaires conducted among parents of children aged 3 to 5.
PL
Wiek rozpoczęcia obowiązkowej nauki języka obcego stopniowo się obniża zarówno w Polsce, jak i w całej Unii Europejskiej. W kilku państwach członkowskich, włączając Polskę, obowiązek ten dotyczy już dzieci uczęszczających do przedszkoli. W zaistniałej sytuacji istotne staje się badanie różnych aspektów nauczania języka obcego na tym poziomie. Celem artykułu jest skupienie się na rodzicach dzieci w wieku 3-5 lat i ich roli w tym procesie. W życiu kilkuletniego dziecka rodzic jest wzorcem różnych zachowań, stąd jego wpływ na edukację wydaje się znaczący. W tekście przedstawione zostaną wyniki ankiet przeprowadzonych wśród rodziców dzieci w wieku 3-5 lat. Omówione zostanie m.in. to, co rodzice właściwie wiedzą i myślą o procesie uczenia się języka w tak wczesnym wieku.
Inviting very young learners to a gallery of modern art does not seem as an obvious didactic solution. Some may argue that children are not able to interpret modern art, and, therefore, it is not possible to use such a medium as a teaching tool. However, it all depends on the pedagogical approach and the way art is implemented during classes. This article starts with an overview of definitions of very young learners, defining this group not only in terms of their age, but also characteristic traits. It is also to justify the use of modern art-cued visual materials as a component of language teaching and to ponder upon using elements of artistic creation to foreign language classrooms. The practical implementation of a presented solution is also discussed in the article. The ideas were used as workshops aimed at introducing very young learners to modern art as well as at acquiring new English vocabulary. Classes were carried out in one of the modern art galleries in Lublin. An example of chosen artwork and pieces created by a very young learner are shown in this article. Finally, the opportunities arising from implementing the new methodology are analysed. They are connected with linguistic development, improvement of young learners’ skills, as well as developing intercultural competence.
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