English for children
As I said before in Finding Time, I am now an assistant of a sports club for children in my village, and I joined it yesterday. When I was doing exercise with the children, the club instructor suddenly suggested that I should teach an English word or an English phrase at the end of the club meeting every Saturday. He seems to think it’s a very good idea because I major in English education in university, though I feel it’s a bit strange to teach English in a sports club.
Anyway, starting yesterday, I had to teach English to elementary school children. Since it was my first time to teach English in the club, I taught them to say “Good bye” and “See you.” But almost all of them seemed to know these expressions already. I think these phrases are too easy for them, but complex or long phrases may be too difficult. Also, since I teach English to children, I’d like to teach them useful phrases, because they’ll be interested in English when they can communicate with foreign people. I’m trying to figure out what English words will be most useful to them: greetings like “Good morning” or “Good afternoon”? Or basic words like “cat” or “dog”?
At the end of the club activity, the instructor told me that children will never forget the English words they learn in their childhood. I think he is right, because I still remember the English phrase I learned first, which was “shut up”, though … So, I want them to learn good and useful English.
Comments
Masami, nice to hear that you are leading a sport club for kids, and indeed that is a very good opportunity to teach some nice English expressions as well. The greeting is very common, I agree they might already know some, but they are very important as well. A nice “Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, or have a good night, have a nice weekend, have a nice day” are some nice expressions to start or end the activity.
If teaching them the “how are you?” expression, try to provide them with as much vocabulary as you can so that the children can choose according to the way they are feeling: “I am fine, I am cold, I am hot, I am tired, I am great!…” Try the verbs as well: catch, heat, kick, bounce, run, hop, jump … Also when cheering with the team you can say; “Let’s go! Team! Go xxx! (the club mascot’s name) Don’t forget to give positive support to your students, telling them: “nice!, good job!, well done!, let’s try a little harder, one more time, please, do your best! I know you will have a great time with them. Enjoy it as much as you can;)
I should have remembered that we’ve got an expert in the house =)
Masami — listen to Jazmin! She knows what she’s talking about.
Jazmin — do you have a book you’d recommend? Or any stories to tell about teaching children?
I think the expressions related to the children’s lives (in this case, expressions used in the field of sports) would be nice. Even if you teach English to children, they will forget what they’ve learned unless they use the knowledge. So, words and expressoins related to sports, as well as greetings, are suitable.
Ruedi, thanks for such nice words. I have a comment about a personal experience, I teach English at elementary schools here in Japan, and my comment is about the expression Masami refers to, “shut up”.
Kids in Japan use that expression very often, too often for my taste. The first time I heard it I was surprised because not only the students were shouting it loud but also the HRT. I would say we’d better be careful not only about the vocabulary we teach but also about the way we express ourselves towards others. Sometimes we might not realize it but kids take a look at everything we do and say, too.
HRT: homeroom teacher, in this case Japanese teacher
>That “shut up” just made laugh out loud — how did you learn this phrase? From a particularly gifted teacher?
Ruedi, I learned this phrase from my friend who went to an English school when I was in elementary school. When she was studying for a test in the school, I was curious to learn English because I didn’t know any English words at all then. So, I asked her to tell me one interesting English phrase, and she taught me “shut up.” I was so happy, and immediately I used it to my father:)
However, I was surprised at Jazmin’s comment:
>Kids in Japan use that expression very often, too often for my taste.
I thought that I’m the particular example who learned “shut up” in childhood, but actually I’m not so special, then. I don’t know how children learn the impolite word. If teachers teach it, why? I think it is natural that children want to use a new word immediately after they learn it, and they can’t wait using it until they come across the chance to use it, just like me. So, as Jazmin says, the teachers should be careful about the words they teach the kids.
Finally, Ruedi, Jazmin and Yukiko, thanks for your comments about what to teach to chidren. I’ll choose some nice English words, taking your helpful advice.
In this morning, I taught children a English word “hot”, because it was so “hot” today. When I taught it, they said many words using “hot”, for example “hot dog”, “hot cake” etc. I though it was good to tell them a word which is seen in their daily lives.
Oli :: June 6, 2004
I agree with all the comments above - teach English words and phrases that the students can use a lot. I use the Genki English CDs in my Elementary School job and recommend them, but since you’re teaching sports first they are probably not necessary.
Some other phrases you might teach are:
please (eg when you ask for the ball)
thank you
one more time (so they can tell you after a fun game)
sports adjectives like faster, slower
direction words like left, right, sit down, stand up
and anything from the Genki English curriculum:
http://genkienglish.net/curriculum.htm
Finally, talk to the students to find out what they’re interested in talking about, and just try to use English with them as much as possible. They’ll learn by listening to you even if you’re not intentionally teaching them. If you make it part of the class (ie if you speak mainly English to them), they’ll follow your lead.
I’ve also had HRTs use “shut up!” and the Japlish “oh mai gaud!” in English classes (cringe!). It seems like they’re trying to use any English they know and/or impress me by using English. Of course the kids start shouting it straight away. Sigh
I’m sure Jazmin or I could help you if you need more ideas or teaching materials ;-)
Here are two weblogs by people who teach English to Japanese children: Confessions of a Grade School Role Model and Yume no naka.
For good measure: Andrea in Japan teaches grown-ups.
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That “shut up” just made laugh out loud — how did you learn this phrase? From a particularly gifted teacher? At all events I’m glad it didn’t leave a lasting impression on you.
What to teach? Off the top of my head, I’d say look around GenkiEnglish.com for ideas. Or better: search the Web for ESL/EFL materials taylored towards children.