Jean Piaget

How children learn L1/L2 Jean Piaget 1896 – 1980 • Swiss psychologist and educator Famous for his learning theories based on different stages in the development of children's intelligence. • How do children learn? • Children learn... – by interacting with the world around them – when they take action to solve problems

How children learn L1/L2 First language: general meaning before individual words Flow of sounds: connected sounds before they separate them into individual words: CARETAKER TALK

CARETAKER TALK Mother talking to her little child of 16 months. MOTHER: Now we are nearly dressed … OK now over your head … good boy … put in your other hand … now shoes. Where are your shoes? CHILD: Sus … MOTHER: Yes. Your shoes. Where are they? Oh, there. Look… your shoes… on the chair. CHILD: Sus. Sus. MOTHER: Yes shoes.

How children learn L1/L2 Only written language is divided into words and sentences Stress on intonation patterns and sounds of words

CHILDREN UNDER SEVEN (VYLs) They acquire L2 in much the same way as they acquire their first language They do not realize that they are learning a foreign language (grammar) They learn through hearing, doing things, imitating, playing

Speaking – silent period • Learners understand more than they can say – When children learn their first language they respond to language long before they learn to speak. • Second language learners have a “silent period” – During this period they listen to and absorb the language – They then formulate their own personal grammar, which they adapt and expand with exposure to more language.

Speaking – chunks • After the silent period, children learning a foreign language may suddenly start to use phrases – I don’t know – Come on – Goodbye

Speaking – chunks • Chunks can later be broken down and the words recombined • I don't know • I don’t know its name, I don't know spelling • We don’t know, They don’t know • He doesn’t know – When children begin to break down a phrase in this way, it is a sign of language development Songs, rhymes, poems, dramas and routine all helps This way children can acquire ready-made bits of language so they can begin to communicate Children’s desire to communicate is very powerful If they are doing an interesting activity, they will talk a lot

TEACHING ENGLISH Make learning English enjoyable and fun Do not worry about mistakes Use gestures Talk a lot (in English) Play games, sing songs, say rhymes Tell simple stories Do not worry when they use their mother tongue Answer in English Recast in English what they say in their mother tongue