|
| Begining Learning Foreign Languages at an Early Age |  According to many scientific researches children who learn a language in early age are much more likely to have native-like pronunciation. Experts relate this ability to the number of physiological peculiarities of a child. It can also has a more simple explanation. The more we learn the more we know. If one devotes 10 years to learning a foreign language it will be more profitable than the one who has only 3 years of practice. Moreover, introducing children to alternative ways of expressing themselves and making them acquainted with different cultures generally broadens their outlook and gives them the opportunity to communicate with many more people. It’s a great advantage by the way.
The Ways Foreign Languages are Taught to Children at Elementary School
There are 3 main educational linguistic programs taught in elementary school to children. They are as follows:
• Immersion programs give children an opportunity to devote a part of their school time to the learning of foreign languages. During these programs that are offered only in small number of schools children are taught all their school subjects (math, social studies, science, etc.) in the second language. Partial immersion programs have the same working principle but only a number of disciplines are taught in the second language.
In such cases a child can learn for example math and chemistry in his native language in the morning and in the evening he will be taught geography and literature in the foreign language. In both cases, the second language is the medium for content instruction rather than the subject of instruction. Children enrolled in immersion programs work toward full proficiency in the second language and usually reach a higher level of competence than those participating in other language programs and courses.
• FLES programs are more frequently dispersed than the immersion ones. A second language is presented as a separate subject, much as science or social studies. But the frequency of its study is higher, up to several times per week. Depending on the curriculum and the opportunity for practice, children in these programs get a wide deep knowledge and good command of a foreign language.
• FLEX programs introduce students to other cultures and to language as a general concept. Time is devoted to studying and researching the particular foreign language. Although this information may be introduced, the emphasis is not on attaining proficiency. While some proficiency may be attained by research studies, it is rather cognitive introducing program. Students will get some knowledge about the learning the language but the fluency of it wont be obeyed. So don’t rely on it much if you want to master your communicational skills.
|
|
