Teaching Through Play
Children tend to learn more effectively through play, as games foster a positive classroom atmosphere and create an engaging learning environment. Play can be integrated into various aspects of the lesson, including:
- Starting the lesson with warm-up activities.
- Introducing the topic through interactive play.
- Reviewing vocabulary in an enjoyable way.
- Conducting exercises that encourage students to practice vocabulary and grammar structures.
- Ending the lesson on a playful note.
Below is a list of key criteria that any game used in English language teaching should meet:
- Games should be relevant to the language being taught.
- Each game should have a clear purpose and specific objectives.
- All children must be able to participate equally.
- Games should be straightforward and quick to set up and execute.
- Activities must be enjoyable for the children.
Teaching Using Body Language
The Total Physical Response (TPR) method, developed by Dr. James Asher, is regarded as one of the most effective techniques for teaching English language learners. This approach integrates physical movement with language learning. For example, when parents communicate with their children using body language, they might say, “Give me the ball,” prompting a physical response from the child. These types of interactions can continue for months before the child begins to articulate language, allowing them to learn sounds and patterns naturally. Eventually, as children master these patterns, they begin to spontaneously reproduce language. The TPR method seeks to replicate this natural learning effect within the classroom, and it can be effectively applied in the following ways:
- Explaining vocabulary related to actions, such as “smile.”
- Illustrating tenses (past, present, and future), for instance: “Every morning I clean my teeth.”
- Utilizing classroom language, like “Open your books.”
- Giving instructions, such as “Stand up” or “Close your eyes.”
- Telling stories interactively.
Incorporating Art in Teaching
Pablo Picasso famously stated that “Every child is an artist.” Children have a natural inclination to create colorful and engaging works, making it essential to incorporate art into English language lessons for young learners. For example, when covering cultural traditions, teachers can encourage students to create an art project based on various cultural practices. This approach enables discussions surrounding that culture, thereby connecting the subject matter to both art and cultural understanding.