13. Teaching English to Pre – School Children.

Teaching English as a foreign language in preschool has become an increasing trend in many different countries across the world. Kindergartens all over the world offer the opportunity of second language learning, usually of English language.

Of course, the content and ways of transferring knowledge are adapted to this age and social situation.

Methods, techniques and tools are numerous; some kindergartens are international usually using language immersion as the main teaching method and most national state or private kindergartens offer the possibility of second language learning usually using different general or foreign language teaching methods (such as the series method) – it depends on the country.

Why should pre-schoolers learn foreign languages?

Some people are not sure whether it is right for their children to start learning a foreign language at such an early age (3-6) and some believe that we are imposing too much on them by asking them to do so, but this is really wrong. It is already scientifically proven that children at this age actually have a strong potential to acquire almost an infinite number of new information especially when foreign languages are concerned. Moreover, it has been proven that children who learn a second language at a very early age compared to those who don’t, have more activated brain spheres and later usually have less difficulties in school subjects other than English.

When can children start learning a foreign language?

Most teachers beginning to teach English as a foreign language to pre-school children (aged 3-6) find themselves confused when it comes to syllabus and teaching methods. Nowadays, the Internet provides us with an infinite number of games, songs, rhymes, pre-school activities, but one doesn’t find ”the head and the tail”, or in other words, where to start and where to finish.

Methods and Teaching Materials for Preschool English: Early Language Learning (ELL)

There is a great number of pre-school teaching materials for teachers to use. This is the part in which the teacher’s creativity is most visible and most important. Children like to see all different kinds of visuals: posters, flashcards, pictures, videos, picture books, or picture dictionaries for children etc.

The best is to combine hand-made materials with factory manufactured materials. Children like to be engaged in practical activities and participate in making things like Christmas postcards or paper airplanes, ships, etc.

 Still, keep in mind that it takes a lot of time for the little ones to make things, therefore, the method of practical works is more appropriate for seasonal, festivity and birthday themes. As a parent or teacher, you will notice that children tend to converse and make funny jokes in their mother tongue while making things, so be careful not to waste time forgetting that you are in the middle of an English class. Methods of drawing and conversation are very effective; you teach new vocabulary by showing pictures, flashcards or other visuals, by talking about given topics (try to use English as much as possible) and the children are learning by listening, looking at pictures, drawing, coloring and eventually talking.