The document discusses the capabilities and characteristics of young learners aged 2-18, highlighting their ability to interact, plan, and reason at different developmental stages. It emphasizes the importance of listening in first language acquisition and the advantages of teaching foreign languages early, such as enhanced school performance and better problem-solving skills. Key traits of young learners include their quick understanding of situations, short attention spans, and a preference for learning through play and imaginative activities.

1. TEACHING ENGLISH TO YOUNG
LEARNERS

2. Martin Sketchley (2013)
Young
Learners
Kindergarte
n
Primary Junior Adolescent Young Adult
2-3
years
4-7
years
8-11
years
12-16
years
17-18
years

3. What the children from five to seven years
old can do?
1. They can talk about what they are doing
2. They can tell about what they have done/heard
3. They can plan activities
4. They can argue for something
5. They can use logical reasoning
6. They can use their clearimagination
7. They can use a wide range of intonation
pattern in L1
8. They can understand direct interaction

4. What the children from eight to ten years
old can do?
1. They can tell the difference between fact and
fiction
2. They ask questions all the time
3. They rely on the spoken word as well as the
physical world to convey and understand meaning
4. They are able to make some decisions
5. They have confident views about what they like
and don’t like doing
6. They have developed sense of fairness
7. They are able to work with others

5. Young Learners have characteristics which
distinguish them from teenagers and adults (1/2)
Young Learners:
1. Understand situation more quickly than language
used
2. Use language skills long before they are aware
3. Their understanding comes trough hands, eyes, and
ears
4. They are very logical, what you say first happen
first
5. They have a very short attention span
6. They are very active (kinesthetic)
7. They are often happy playing and working alone

6. Young Learners have characteristics which
distinguish them from teenagers and adults (2/2)
8. They love praise and reward
9. They are less shy than older learners
10. They enjoy imitating and are skilful in listening
accurately
11. They cannot decide for themselves what to
learn
12. They enjoy learning through playing, acting,
making and doing
13. They are imaginative
14. They differ in their experience of language

7. Oracy skills first
Language learning should begin with listening.
 This is the first skill children practice in L1, so
it is natural to begin with listening especially
with very young learners.
 Lower age group: teacher talk, songs, rhymes,
stories.
 Upper age group: the above and listening
comprehension activities to develop
strategies.

8. 2. Why teach children a foreign
language?
1. Why is listening important for children?

9. Why teach children a foreign language?
 The earlier the beginning of FLL, the greater the
chances for language proficiency.
 Enhancement of knowledge of native language
 Improved overall school performance and
superior problem-solving skills.
 Native-like pronunciation.
 Development of lifelong ability to communicate
with more people.

10. Why is listening important for children?
 Rich source of data to begin to build an idea
of how language works.
 Safe space for learners who are not ready to
speak the language / talk.
 Chances to focus on the language used and
demonstrate has been understood.
 Opportunities for non-verbal support (e.g.
Pictures) - essential for learners who cannot
read,
 Rich source for language forms to repeat or

11. THANK YOU