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Consider these anecdotes:
1. An ESL teacher instructs a group of 7 children every day
for 45 minutes. They sing “I’m a Little Teapot” over and over
again. Standing, they make gestures to show the tea pouring
out. “I’m a little teapot, short and stout, here is my handle,
here is my spout. When I get it all steamed up, hear me shout,
just tip me over and pour me out”. And then the group starts
again…
2. In visiting a class of a successful ESL teacher, you are
struck that each activity lasts no more than ten minutes, that
children are usually in movement - making something, holding
something, moving their hands and walking somewhere.
There are few major contrasts that we can make between
child and adult ESL learners. Children are more likely to play
with language than adults are. In general, children are more
holistic learners who need to use language for authentic
communication in ESL classes.
In a children’s class, activities need to be child centered
and communication should be authentic. Several themes
repeatedly come up:
• Focus on meaning, not correctness.
• Focus on the value of the activity, not the value of language.
• Focus on collaboration and social development.
• Provide a rich context, including movement, the senses,
objects and pictures, and a variety of activities.
• Teach ESL holistically, integrating the four skills.
• Treat learners appropriately in the light of their age and
interests.
• Treat language as a tool for children to use for their own
social and academic ends.
(S. Peck. Developing Children´s Listening and Speaking. IN: Marianne
Cerce-Murcia(ed). Teaching English as a second or foreign language.
Boston, Massachusstes: Heinle&Heinle. 2nd edition. 2001. Adaptado)