Teach English in Taitou Zhen - Tianjin

Child DevelopmentAnyone who has been around a small child speaking his/her native language understands that a child has trouble pronouncing the words correctly. This is normal and even viewed as endearing. We are patient with children, allowing mistakes, but modeling correct pronunciation ourselves. Teachers should be no less patient and understanding with children learning a foreign language. If a native cannot do it, we cannot expect a foreigner to do it. Therefore, it is helpful for a teacher of young children to understand the ages by when a child should master certain sounds. That is, a 7 year-old learning english for the first time should not be expected to pronounce foreign sounds the same as a child who has been learning english for 4 years. Utilizing one?s knowledge of this aspect of development improves a teacher?s ability to teach language in the most valuable way. Child development is related to teaching english as a foreign language and therefore should be understood by teachers. The major aspects of child development are language development, physical development, and social development. All three points are essential to understanding how a child learns a language?native or foreign. Language development really takes off at birth. The child hears his native language all day, everyday and when he?s able, he will begin to imitate it, copying the most basic grammar and the vocabulary relevant to his life. Children learn patterns, not grammar rules, because they learn by listening and doing. Children begin understanding the relationship between sounds and action?answering a ringing phone, running to open a door when the bell sounds, etc. around 2 years old. They also begin to use sentences. This is one of the best times (if they do not begin at birth) to teach a foreign language. The child is just beginning to talk in his/her native language, so to begin a second language would be ideal at this time. However, if the second language is not used in his/her everyday life, the teacher will need to be aware of this. A child picks up a first language because he hears and 'sees' it everyday. He sees what happens when a person says, ?hello? or when someone speaks with an angry tone. So, in the classroom, a teacher must know how to create this 'natural' environment to help the child easily pick up a language. Understanding these developmental milestones help a teacher of young children be better prepared to teach in the most effective way. In most cases, language learning is simple and smooth for children. As with a first language, children learn a second language best as a pattern or a kind of music. Grammar rules make no sense to a young child and are really useless. Language learning also comes easily when a child learns relevant words and functions. This makes remembering a language easier as it has personal meaning to the child. And, as with a first language, social pressures and influences can inhibit a child?s natural bent to learn(Brazelton, 1992). Social development plays a huge role in a child?s overall development. Because of our cultures, societies, and nature, human beings rely on relationships in life. Unfortunately, these relationships can cause problems when they burden us with unrealistic expectations or ridicule. Children will often become hermetic in nature if they are burdened or ridiculed, or they willbecome aggressive and defiant. In an english classroom, a child may have trouble with certain aspects of learning, such as pronunciation, and the other students may laugh or ridicule a child for this. A socially sensitive child may feel abashed and then become unwilling to speak. Or a child can become the aggressor as a coping technique and ridicule other children who make mistakes. Social interactions become important around 3 years old, so a teacher must be aware of the potential problems(Heymann, 2010).Understanding a child?s sensitivities and the social classroom dynamics will help the teacher manage problems when they arise and create a safe environment. The teacher can also help prevent problems and even increase a child?s social development and understanding by creating an interactive environment. Interactive learning is the best since language learning is a social activity, according to Therese Caccavale, president of the National Network for Early Language Learning(Duke Gifted Letter, 2007). Physical development can affect language learning as well. In regard to native language, children who are more physically gifted may depend on gestures for communication. This is a natural part of learning a first language and usually children begin speaking at the proper time, especially when encouraged. Understanding physical development can help a teacher foster the students? english learning. Because physically gifted children or children who do not understand the language may rely on gestures and body language to communicate, the teacher must know how to encourage oral communication.Body language is a natural part of communicating, but it must not be the only way of communicating. The child must be encouraged to speak with her mouth. A teacher can do this by asking questions, such as, ?I think I understand what you what, but you must say it. Try it. Is it an eraser?or a pencil?or paper?? Then the child may attempt to imitate the word(Brazelton, 1992). Understanding motor skills can also help a teacher know when to introduce certain skills, such as reading and writing. Around the age of 5 or 6, children?s motor skills have developed enough that they can begin to write with ease(Heymann, 2010). This is a good time for the teacher to introduce writing, especially if reading skills and teaching alphabet have preceded it. Language is a holistic skill in one?s native language and the same is true for foreign language. Teaching all aspects of a language are important for a well-rounded education and for full understanding and function. Understanding child development is also important for knowing how to enhance development. This can be achieved in many ways, one of which is foreign language learning. According to Caccavale, learning a foreign language at an early age enhances children?s cognitive development(Duke Gifted Letter, 2007). For example, young children learn object permanence earlier if they have foreign language skills. This comes from knowing that an object is the same, whatever language you use to name it. Foreign language skills also increase critical thinking, flexibility of mind, and creativity, especially when learned at an early age. Teaching young children can be a challenging, but incredibly rewarding endeavor. And it is essential to understand the child to be fully effective as a teacher. One such understanding is the child?s development;whether teaching vocabulary, pronunciation, conversations skills, or reading and writing, knowing what the student is experiencing and why helps the teacher to give the student the most valuable and effective education possible. Works Cited Brazelton, T. B. (1992). Touchpoints of Development. Da Capo Press. Duke Gifted Letter. (2007). Cognitive Benefits of Learning Langauge. Retrieved November 2011, from American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages: http://www.actfl.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=4724 Heymann, L. C. (2010). Child Development Stages: Listening, Language, and Learning by Age. Retrieved November 2011, from Attitude: Living Well With Attention Deficit : http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/7542.html