Language Learning In Primary Schools Research Articles

Content of the pre-service teachers’ professional training for using communicative and game technologies in teaching a foreign language to primary school students

The article examines the content of the selective professionally oriented course “Communicative-playing technologies of early foreign language learning” for students of the fourth year of the 014 Secondary education specialty, its goal is formulated - the formation of future teachers’ professional competence in the application of communicative-playing technologies of foreign (German) learning languages in primary school. The knowledge of the theoretical foundations of early learning, which are necessary for future teachers to apply communicative-playing technologies in foreign language learning in primary school, is specified: knowledge of the peculiarities of foreign language acquisition by younger schoolchildren, the dynamics of the development of age-related psychophysiological features of younger schoolchildren, which contribute to or hinder the study of a foreign language, methods application of basic communicative-playing techniques. The professional competences of future teachers are determined, in particular, the ability to use communicative-playing technologies taking into account the cognitive capabilities of pupils and the peculiarities of their learning a foreign language at various stages of primary school, the ability to activate the educational activity of students in foreign language lessons through the use of communicative-playing technologies; the ability to provide a motivational, substantive and procedural basis for pupils’ foreign language communication through participation in various types of game activities, the ability to model and manage students’ communicative-playing activities in German.

Comparison of the Primary School Turkish Program Implemented in Turkiye and the Primary School French Program Implemented in France

Every country follows a different program for teaching the mother tongue. In some countries, states apply different programs for their students and in some the national education program is central and applied in the same way throughout the country. Turkiye and France apply the programs defined by their ministries of national education. In this study, the Turkish teaching program and French teaching program in primary schools have been analyzed and compared in terms of learning outcomes and program structure. The common points and differences between the programs have been identified. Students start systematic language learning in primary school. When students have proficiency in their mother language, they become successful learners in other fields of study. Thus, primary schools play a vital role in educating individuals by raising their awareness about the importance of using their mother language appropriately and effectively. In Turkiye, primary school is 4 years and it is not divided into parts. In France primary school is 5 years and it is divided into two parts in terms of students’ skills development. Students’ language development starts with the family and continues at school. The role of classroom teachers and mother language teachers cannot be overlooked.

The Effect of Using First Language (L1) to Learn Second Language (L2) on Language Learning in Primary School in China

As the development of China from last century, learning English has been valued because of its significance in global interaction. In China, it is not uncommon for primary schools to teach English with the aid of Chinese. In this paper, the author illustrates the benefits of applying first language (L1) to learn second language (L2) in language learning in primary school in China. Both personal language learning experiences and main concepts of this field are employed to support the investigation. Furthermore, the author presents some challenges or suggestions for each part of the discussion to promote the validity of this learning mode.

Finding our true north: On languages, understanding and curriculum in Northern Ireland

AbstractLanguage learning can open up new worlds and deepen understanding of our own. It can foster awareness of other people, other places and cultures, and bring social and educational benefits. Northern Ireland (NI) is an increasingly multilingual region that is emerging from conflict into a welcome, but fragile, peace. It faces unique uncertainties caused by Brexit, as well as the need to develop empathy in face of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Concerns have been expressed also about academic underachievement and mental health amongst its young people. Against such a background, this paper explores the current context in NI relating to languages, and curriculum policy and practice in language education. It argues that young people in NI are poorly served, and that curriculum reform with respect to languages is timely. The paper makes five key recommendations: (1) Reform of curriculum, policy and practice relating to language education in NI; (2) Introduction of statutory language learning in primary schools; (3) Investment in teacher development; (4) Valuing of linguistic diversity and plurality in curriculum policy and practice; and (5) Further practice‐based research to explore pedagogy and outcomes in language education in NI.

Editorial: Introduction to the special issue on English language learning in primary schools

The early introduction of foreign languages, mainly English, in pre-primary and primary education in different parts of the world is an undisputable fact in today’s world, as clearly illustrated in Enever (2018). One of the reasons for this educational change is the belief in “the earlier the better” notion, which has already been shown not to hold true when linguistic outcomes are assessed in foreign language settings (see García Mayo & García Lecumberri, 2003; Huang, 2015). Age is just one variable among many others that need to be taken into account when assessing child language learning in educational contexts (see Butler, 2019), and that is the reason why more research on identifying those other variables is necessary.

Language Attitudes and Kiswahili Language Learning in Primary Schools in Kenya

Kiswahili and English are two important languages taught and examined at the national level in Kenya’s education system. Students’ academic performance in the subjects keeps varying in national examinations. Different from English, however, poor performance in Kiswahili is more often associated with negative attitudes. Nevertheless, empirical validations have in most cases, not been established. The present study explores pupils’ attitudes toward Kiswahili in the context of second language learning in Siaya County of Kenya. The study is anchored on the assumption that although language attitudes play a big role in second language learning and development, primary school pupils have often been neglected in the investigation of language attitudes despite the fact that Kiswahili language learning and teaching begins at that level. A sample size of 360 class eight pupils randomly picked from 18 primary schools of Siaya County participated in the survey. Data collection was by use of attitude questionnaires and, analysed by mixed method approach. Results showed that primary school pupils had positive attitudes towards Kiswahili. The attitudes were due to the communicative and integrative functions of Kiswahili. Pupils however indicated that English remained instrumental to their academic and future pursuits. Consequently, Kiswahili was not accorded the same weight as English, which in turn influenced negatively Kiswahili language learning. The study calls for creation of awareness about the instrumental value of Kiswahili language to learners. This be done, from the early stages of their academic development. Moreover, it recommends that the culture of using grammatical language by learners be encouraged, as much as it is possible. This will serve to improve their Kiswahili language skills and contribute to good performance. Keywords : Language attitudes, Kiswahili education, integrative/instrumental attitudes, language use patterns DOI : 10.7176/JEP/11-21-19 Publication date :July 31st 2020

Organization of extracurricular work in English language learning in primary school

Organization of extracurricular work in English language learning in primary school

Teaching modern foreign languages in primary classrooms in Uzbekistan: an overview

This article aims to present foreign language learning in primary school as a part of educational system of Uzbekistan. Language policy concerning educational system is described briefly, but the main focus is on basic education in Uzbekistan and especially on primary foreign language education, its curriculum and aims. After presenting some sociolinguistic background information and a short outline of Uzbekistan’s school system in general, we will focus attention on different aspects of early language learning at primary school level. We will conclude our outline with some personal comments on current challenges and problem areas in the field of early foreign language learning in Uzbekistan.

Collaborative English Language Learning in Primary School: a Sequential Explanatory Study in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Collaborative English Language Learning in Primary School: a Sequential Explanatory Study in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Non-English Major Students’ Perception of Factors Influencing English Proficiency in China

This study aims at investigating Non-English major students’ perception of factors that influencing English proficiency in China. The research was conducted by using a non-experimental quantitative research design by a questionnaire survey. A total 300 Non-English Major students from second year from different duration of learning English in Henan Polytechnic University was collected to complete this survey. The research findings revealed the learning strategies of Non-English major students in Henan Polytechnic University has most significantly affect on English proficiency among four potential factors. The hypothesis testing results indicated that the perception of students who began learning English from primary school were statistically significantly higher than those who began learning English from middle school with respect to factors influencing English proficiency. The findings recommended that the government should provide more supports to English language learning in primary school, the English teacher should pay attention to male students’ English learning and help students improve their learning strategy in English learning.

Efektifitas Penerapan Cooperative Scrift Dalam Meningkatkan Kemampuan Memahami Bacaan Siswa Kelas V Sd Negeri 17 Parepare

In Indonesian language learning In Primary School there are four skills that need to be mastered by the students that is listening skill, writing skill, reading skill, and speaking skill. In reading learning, students often feel bored and unmotivated in learning. Related to the importance of learning read comprehension, necessary methods that can foster motivation and interest of students in reading comprehension activities in school. Learning comprehension reading should be done with appropriate learning methods to achieve optimal learning outcomes. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of Cooperative Script method, in improving reading comprehension in grade V students of SD Negeri 17 Parepare. The type of this research is experimental research using one group pretest posttest design. Variables in this research is Cooperative Script Method as independent variable and skill reading comprehension level as dependent variable. The sample in this study is all students of class V SD Negeri 17 Parepare which amounted to 37 people. Technique of collecting data using comprehension reading comprehension test in the form of objective test 30 item. The validity of the instrument used is the content validity. Reliability test was analyzed by using alpha cronbach coefficient formula. Data analysis technique is done by using t-test technique with respect to normality and homogeneity. The results showed that the mean score of students' reading ability before and after treatment increased from 16.86 to 24.06. The result of t-test analysis shows t-test equal to -24,829 with db = 36, and p value 0.000. The p value is smaller than the significance level of 0.05. In other words, the Cooperative Script method is effectively used in reading comprehension learning.

Emergent multilinguals learning languages with the iPad app iTEO: a study in primary schools in Luxembourg

ABSTRACT The present small-scale study investigates language learning in primary schools in Luxembourg and the ways in which this process is mediated by peers and the iPad app iTEO. This study draws its data from the larger longitudinal qualitative research project iTEO (2013–2017) and is based on 13 hours of audio and video-recordings. The participants are 6–7-year-olds learning German and French. Grounded in sociocultural theory, this paper examines, first, the ways in which the emergent multilingual primary school children scaffold each other’s learning of German and French while collaboratively producing oral texts on iTEO and, second, investigates the affordances of this app for learning. The findings show that the children’s language learning was mediated by peers, the task and the app. The children used a range of learning and teaching strategies while completing tasks framed by their teacher. iTEO and the task together mobilised the children’s resources, encouraged autonomy and promoted discussion about language.

Does Teaching English in Saudi Primary Schools Affect Students’ Academic Achievement in Arabic Subjects?

The global trend of introducing second language learning, namely, English, in primary schools is increasing. In Saudi Arabia, where English has never been taught in primary schools, the government to implement English as a second language at the primary level in 2005; however, this generated controversy. Opposition to the learning of English has been based on religious, cultural, and educational arguments. The latter argument consists of claims that learning English at a young age might influence children’s mother tongue development and influence their academic success. This paper investigates the impact of teaching English in Saudi primary schools on students’ achievement in Arabic-language subjects. This quantitative research aims to inform the debate on second language learning in primary schools by studying children’s examination results in the Arabic subject areas of grammar, reading, and writing. The sample consisted of primary school students from years 1 to 6 as well as year 6 students from the last year before (2004) and the first year after (2005) the introduction of English. Student results from four primary schools (two government schools and two private schools) were collected and analysed. This study found no indication of a positive or negative impact of learning English on students’ achievement in Arabic subjects. However, private school students who studied English beginning in their first year of school had better results in the Arabic subjects that were the focus of this research. Keywords : second language acquisition, language impact, ESL

Technologically enhanced language learning in primary schools in England, France and Spain: developing linguistic competence in a technologically enhanced classroom environment

This paper reports on an EU-funded project (Ref: 134244-2007-UK-COMENIUS-CMP) that explored the impact of technology, notably video-conferencing, on primary school children's language learning in England, France and Spain. Data were gathered from the children in the project, their teachers and also from trainee teachers placed in the schools. The findings suggest that this technology offers real benefits in the development of intercultural understanding, increases motivation and has interesting implications for language learning processes.

Motivation of UK school pupils towards foreign languages: a large-scale survey at Key Stage 3

Motivation is one of the most significant predictors of success in foreign language learning. While individual and Governmental commitment to the learning of foreign languages is growing throughout most of Europe and across the globe, it is stuttering in the UK. An entitlement to language learning in primary school is not yet fully in place, whilst the removal of language from the core curriculum at Key Stage 4 (ages 14 to 16) has led to a dramatic fall in numbers of language learners. Among national initiatives seeking to enhance learners' interest in languages among school pupils are Specialist Language Colleges and the Languages Ladder. The latter, by certifying achievement through its associated accreditation scheme Asset Languages, seeks to engender a sense of success and motivate continuation of language study. This article reports on a study conducted in 2005–2006 of the language learning motivation of over 10,000 school pupils at Key Stage 3—the only group currently obliged to study a foreign language. The study analyses the nature of learner motivation and its relationship with gender, level of study (Years 7, 8 and 9) and type of school, and thus provides evidence for possible measures to increase numbers of teenagers studying a foreign language, and a baseline against which the success of policy initiatives can be measured in the future.

Are primary schools on course to offer foreign languages?

All primary school children are to learn a foreign language by 2012. Sally Nash, a former teacher, outlines the government's plans for language learning in primary schools