Social Benefits of an English Learning Program for Young Learners

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of an English learning program on young learners’ socialization process. To this end, 28 voluntary young learners were accepted to the language learning program which lasted 6 weeks. These participants were divided into two groups based on their ages. One group consisted 5-6-year old students while the other group consisted of 7-8-year-old students. There were 11 students (39,3%) in the 5-6-year-old group while there were 17 students (60,7%) in the 7-8-year-old group. Each group was taught English for 120hours in 6 weeks. As data collection tool, students were interviewed both before the program and after the program. The items in the interview were developed by the researchers. As another data collection tool, the students were regularly observed by the researchers both in the instructional settings and in the social settings for four weeks. The data obtained through interview and observation were analyzed qualitatively. Moreover, percentage statistics were also used in the analysis of data obtained through interviews. The results of the analysis showed that an English learning program lasting 6 weeks significantly contributes to young learners’ socialization process.