Hankhata

By Hanna, Jakarta.

Why learning the English language is essential? and how to apply this language to early childhood?

Hi! My name is Hanna, and I work as an English teacher at a Jakarta international school. I am also the mother of a 5-year-old child. As a mother and a teacher, I want to promote the relevance of English to young children. For over four years, I have taught preschool and kindergarten. Many parents send their children to international schools while I am teaching because they want them to be fluent in English. Some people are also concerned about international school curricula, such as those used in Cambridge or Singapore.

English is one of the essential languages in the world.

“Everyone is aware that we are in a globalization era and that all human resources will eventually be able to link globally. Every day, English is used as a means of communication, especially in large cities, “Nita Marpaung stated at the Parents’ Gathering in 2022). Anam claims that on June 3, 2022, “One of the nations that will receive the most foreign tourists in Indonesia. It is mentioned that it came in at number 32 out of 117 nations.” In addition to getting over the pandemic. A wide variety of tourist attractions are also present in Indonesia.

Furthermore, it is well known that Indonesians are polite and friendly. It is also doubtful that this accomplishment will get any better. Globalized commerce and more advanced communication infrastructure that connects us to other nations are both beneficial to us.

Early childhood education is crucial because the years between birth and six are essential for human development that will affect the following generation. Teachers should expose students to all dimensions of language use before this golden era ends. Children may access foreign language learning at the earliest stages with differently developed skills and learning abilities in their first language, according to Cameron’s 2005 study. “One implication for teachers of foreign languages to young children is that children will emerge into foreign language learning at the earliest stages” (p.13). It implies that young children can learn English more quickly and effectively.

Parents should begin teaching their children English at an early age when it comes to education. As a mother, it is a fantastic part of introducing our kids to the foundations of the English language at home. Some parents lack confidence due to their poor English speaking skills. However, there are many places where we can gather knowledge that we can subsequently impart to our children, like blogs and YouTube. And in this news article, I would like to offer straightforward strategies for teaching English to young children based on my experience.

• Turns lessons into song

^{Figure 1 Warming up with a song is an important activity to start the lesson. With a simple song and a little movement, the teacher got the students in the mood to study!}

The majority of individuals believe that learning songs for any subject is fun. And the most effective learning happens when we enjoy learning the English language. I advise beginning with the song when learning English for the first time. Give the children the impression that they enjoy themselves and are eager to sing together. And it is much better if the teachers or parents are familiar with the music. The kids are unlikely to pay attention to gadgets or YouTube. We might also design a simple movement to make the learning process more interactive. The best song for learning English should, however, be brief, not move too quickly, and not have too many difficult words to pronounce, and the children should hear all of the words quickly.

2. Use the flash card as a medium.

Figure 2 One of the more intriguing activities in the classroom for identifying and recognizing vocabulary is the use of review flash cards. The teacher displayed the flash card, asked the students to respond, and pointed out what the teacher was pointing at.

Learning a language is crucial for pupils to be able to recognize terminology. Parents can use flashcards in addition to word cards for kids who can read. Any level of the class can benefit from the use of flash cards. They are a great presentation strategy. Teachers or parents can make flashcards based on a student’s grade or proficiency. You can move on to the next level if the kids recognize and identify the topic.

• Fun Storytelling

Figure 3 Interactive storytelling helps students become interested in the language through enjoyable practice. The teacher was teaching the class about wild animals and their surroundings. All the pupils were eager to hear the story and retell excitedly.

Young children prefer stories and usually ask to hear the same ones repeatedly. Their tiny eyes are mesmerized. They will remain still while gazing at the artwork for the story. The effect that stories have on them is amazing! You may enhance your behavior and listening abilities by telling stories. Stories are essential for fostering creativity because they reveal fresh ideas about the world. For their children, parents can also find good storybooks. Remember, we can pick a straightforward picture book for the first level. The kids will be inspired during story time as a result.

Thus, there are three tips that I can share in this blog; the method that can use in the teaching process. Such as singing a song, having a fun flashcard and interactive storytelling. Hopefully, those tips can help all parents or teachers to teach the English language in early childhood. Moreover, every choice comes back to the parents. Whether to teach a foreign language to the pupils or not, Because the best option is parents know best. And for parents interested in adding another language to their pupils as a second language, you can apply those tips in daily activities. Arrange some schedule at home to manage and track your pupils’ progress. And for the topic or theme, you can find it on the blog/ YouTube. There are so many resources and free downloads. Also, you can create fun learning! I attached the video from my YouTube to add more references about “how to teach English for early childhood.” I hope you enjoy watching it. 😉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7-RF6J7_OA&t=18s

References:

Anam, K. (2022, June 3). Pariwisata RI naik peringkat, Rangking 32 dari 117 negara. CNBC Indonesia. https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/lifestyle/20220603154925-33-344181/pariwisata-ri-naik-peringkat-ranking-32-dari-117-negara.

Cameron, L. (2005). Teaching Languages to Young Learners. Cambridge University Press.