A study on the status of early English education in elementary school students

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the present situation of English language education provided in early childhood and its effect. For this purpose, two research questions were specified as follows: 1) what is the current status of English language education provided in early childhood? And 2) what is the difference in English learning status between those who have received English language education provided in early childhood and those who have not? As a survey target, 639 students from the fifth through sixth grade, who are now provided with English language education by four elementary schools in Korea,\ participated in the present study. A questionnaire designed as a research tool consisted of 30 questions. The results are as follows: First, about 80 percent of elementary school children from the fifth through sixth grade are taught English language in their early childhood. Second, the experiences of early English language education before the third grade have positive effects on the children’s comprehension of English learning and the children’s positive perception of English; therefore, it has a positive effect on their academic achievement as well. Educational suggestion and implication are presented.