Name: Mishell Artieda

Class: Teaching English to Children

Date: October, 29th 2017

Topic: Essay

Nowadays it is important to take into account the education in children specially in our
case teaching English to children, because through the years this aspect have been
increasing for many purposes. In my opinion the most important is the aspect of being
bilingual. In this essay you can see many different features to bear in mind to teach
English to children such as: strategies, method and the way teachers need to act with these
little humans being. Also you are going to perceive many facts about children
environment and their behavior. Why is it important to teach English to these students?
There some theories which say that there a critical period for acquire a new language for
that reason is important to teach them, because as soon as it is possible we could have
better results and then they could have better opportunities in their lives. We are in charge
of the future our society even more they could be the future teachers, so it is important to
be a good example for children.

Firstly we need to focus on the fact that children are an active and social people,
consequently as teachers we must take into account that they are going to be boring with
textbooks, worksheets and so on. Kids are going to learn a second language as their first
language and all our activities need to be focus on reality, because think about the fact
how we learn our mother tongue we have parent that repeat many words an also we are
involve in a real speech act. When we were children we were listening to our parents how
to form some sentences, some phrases and in that way we acquire our language, so is the
same process for L2. English could be more easy if we do this, we need to demonstrate
our students by actions, let them play let them take part of their own education they need
to get involve in the atmosphere of a new language and in a new culture. Also as teachers
we have to bear in mind the emotional aspect, because if we create a bad environment for
our student then they may be frustrated and they will hate teacher and the language, this
all about motivate our students.

On the other hand it is important talk about some methods and strategies that work on
kids. The most popular method is: Total Physical Response (TPR). This methodology is
for EFL students and help them to get involve in our goal learn English. Thus you can see
the main aspects of this method and some critics of it. Hence it is important to clarify how
this method work, TPR is:

“Total Physical Response (TPR) is based on the theory that the memory is
enhanced through association with physical movement. It is also closely
associated with theories of mother tongue language acquisition in very young
children, where they respond physically to parental commands, such as "Pick it
up" and "Put it down". (Bowen, 2013).

This method is useful for kids because they have to be ready to response to some
commands and they are able to relate this action with the meaning of the words or phrase.
Also they develop the listening skill, because children need to listen to the teacher and do
the action.

Some techniques that are most of the time useful for teach are: use of technological tools,
music, storytelling, role – plays, meaningful activities that are related with topics that they
are interesting of such us: cartoons, toys, games and so on. Likewise they need a good
environment development, because as it was mentioned before they are very social people
and this fact could help us in order to promote their communicative skill that is the most
important skill to acquire the language. In addition we can allow them to work in pair or
in a group, because this help to create or establish good relation between them and make
friends to feel more comfortable inside the classroom, in that way kids who has developed
in advance their skills, they would help to the teacher to support and encourage to learn
to the others who have some troubles to learn the language.

In conclusion we can say that teaching English to children is important, because they
would be bilinguals, they are going to develop their communicative skill, and they are
going to meet new people. As teacher is important to take into account that is the
education of children not mine. They require to get implicate in their process of acquire
their second language, and also we need to be patient and creative in order they can learn
in an effectively way. We need also to speak in a clearly way this means that our
instruction or commands to be without doubts, because they understand everything, we
need to make our classes enjoyable and productive for them.

References
Retrieved from https://www.livestrong.com/article/225526-how-to-teach-english-to-small-
kids/

Retrieved from http://busyteacher.org/2831-teaching-kids-english-10-things-to-consider.html

Retrieved from http://www.professorjackrichards.com/methods-and-techniques-for-young-

learners/

Bowen, T. (2013). One stop English. Retrieved from

http://www.onestopenglish.com/methodology/methodology/teaching-
approaches/teaching-approaches-total-physical-response/146503.article#rating_box