Young English Learners Research Articles

What factors contribute to the proficiency of young EFL learners in primary school? Assessing the role of CLIL intensity, extramural English, non-verbal intelligence and socioeconomic status

Although multiple factors influence language proficiency in instructed settings, the prevalence of content and language integrated learning (CLIL) research in recent decades has placed intensity of exposure (via CLIL lessons) at center stage, sidelining other variables. This study aims to rectify this by examining the impact of CLIL alongside three additional factors: extramural English (EE), socioeconomic status (SES), and non-verbal intelligence (NVI). Specifically, this study analyses the interplay of these variables in the proficiency of 171 young English learners (aged 10–11 years) in Navarre, Spain. The participants were divided into a low-intensity (LI) ( n = 54) group and a high-intensity (HI) ( n = 117) group depending on exposure to English in school. Results indicate that HI learners are superior in reading, and even more clearly in speaking. EE is very frequent in both groups but more abundant among HI learners, and it shows several positive associations with learners’ scores. Higher NVI levels positively correlate with all skills in both groups, except for speaking, which appears to be affected by EE and, to a lesser extent, by SES.

Developing mobile augmented reality in picture book for teaching English for young learners

An effective language and learning process must contain interactive, fun, challenging, motivating aspects and provide more space for students to develop their creativity and independence, according to students' talents and interests; thus, appropriate teaching media can be as assisting tools. When selecting media, you need to consider several things, namely learning objectives, effectiveness, easy to obtain, students, use, not rigid, cost, and quality. One of the developments in learning media that is currently still new is learning media using Augmented Reality. This research aims to develop Augmented Reality-based text book learning media for English language learning. Developing text-book media using an application with a barcode scanner on text-books. This application displays 4D images or animations that have sound and movement so that it will help students to understand English texts. The research method used is the research and development method (Research & Development) while the product development model used is the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, & evaluation. After developemnt anf evalution phase, the findings reveals that the outcome of teaching material product is deemed highly valid and appropriate for teaching English to yong learners, especially for primary school in this research context, as it was supported by the result of validation phase with media experts, subject matter experts, and student trials. Additionally, reflecting on the result of this study, the pedagogical implications of this result discussed further in this research.

Teachers’ and Parents’ Attitudes towards (Native) Pronunciation and the Part Played by Assistant Language Teachers in English Pronunciation Instruction in Japanese Public Primary and Junior High Schools

In Japan, both teachers and learners of English often aspire to achieve a ‘native-like’ pronunciation. While several studies have highlighted this aspiration as problematic, the perspectives of parents and Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs), who may influence young English learners’ beliefs, remain understudied. This study employs a qualitative research method to examine the perspectives of English teachers, ALTs and parents in Japan regarding English pronunciation. It aims to identify the reasons behind their preference for ‘native-like’ pronunciation. Furthermore, the study explores the role of ALTs in promoting the importance of intelligible pronunciation. Through semi-structured interviews, ten participants share their perspectives and experiences. Using phenomenological analysis, the experiences shaping participants’ beliefs are distilled into ten themes. The findings reveal that deficiencies in English proficiency and confidence, recognition of accented speech, the influence of sound model in educational settings and instances of miscommunication with ‘native’ speakers contributed to Japanese participants’ perceptions of themselves as inferior to ‘native’ speakers. Additionally, teachers’ identities and parents’ scepticism about Japanese English teachers’ abilities reinforced the belief that Japanese-accented English is unsuitable for English teachers. To promote the value of intelligible pronunciation, the teachers and ALTs were required to possess knowledge about the instruction of intelligible pronunciation and recognise the equity of different accents. Although this study’s design does not allow for generalisations, it offers valuable insights for those transitioning from the Nativeness Principle to the Intelligibility Principle, considering social factors and personal experiences.

Asynchronous virtual exchange and young English learners’ intercultural communicative competence

Abstract Virtual Exchange, by definition, connects groups of students in different countries for online intercultural communication (Lewis & O’Dowd, 2016). This exploratory study presents and analyses an asynchronous video exchange between sixth grade students in two countries with the goal of exploring which of Byram’s objectives for intercultural communicative competence (2021) can be addressed with young learners. The asynchronous video exchange project presented in this article was carried out between young English learners in Germany and English L1 speakers in the United States. Transcripts and observation notes from project meetings in Germany and transcripts of two videoconferences held with the two groups at the beginning and end of the exchange were analyzed qualitatively using Byram’s objectives for intercultural communicative competence (2021) as deductive codes in order to reveal which objectives were addressed during the exchange project. Eighteen of Byram’s 30 objectives were addressed to some degree in the current project. Those objectives will be discussed and considerations for future exchanges will be presented in view of these initial results.

The Impact of Video Games on Vocabulary Acquisition Among Young Learners in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

This study investigated the impact of video games on vocabulary acquisition among young learners of English as a second language in the Kurdistan region of Iraq-Erbil.The sample consisted of 74 male and female students, aged 12, who were studying English at a public school in the Kurdistan Region. The present study employed a quantitative, quasi-experimental design, where an experimental group received video game-based instruction, while a control group was taught using traditional methods. The results showed that the experimental group experienced an important development in their vocabulary test scores compared to the control group, indicating the effectiveness of video games in enhancing vocabulary acquisition. The study also found that the benefits of video game-based instruction were consistent across participants, regardless of their initial proficiency levels in English and information technology. Furthermore, the study revealed no significant differences in the vocabulary gains between male and female students. The findings suggest that incorporating video games into language learning curricula can be a valuable strategy to support the vocabulary development of young learners in the Kurdistan region. The study provides insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers regarding the integration of technology-based learning approaches in language education.

Assistance In English Mastery of LKP Aloha Edu (English For Children) Through Game-Based Learning

This community service aims to provide effective and enjoyable learning support to facilitate the acceptance of English language learners into courses and institutions. Today English is an international language that all groups must master. In the world of education, English is introduced from an early age using different methods. In fact, it is not possible to apply effective teaching methods suitable for the level and characteristics of students in all courses. Like LKP Aloha Edu, the teaching and learning process at many elementary levels is still very inefficient, especially in learning English. Inefficiency affects students' motivation and enthusiasm for learning. One reason is the lack of fun learning methods. Therefore, the choice of media must be considered before learning the activity. In this lesson, the community service team used a theoretical approach to English for young learners using a medium suitable for primary school students, namely games, to develop English vocabulary. This media focuses on listening, listening and speaking. The purpose of learning the English language is to increase students' enthusiasm for learning English and to improve their English language skills in a more effective and enjoyable way. The results of this community service are 1. Students' interest and ability to learn English increased. 2. Basic skills, especially in terms of English vocabulary, are more versatile.

Tag and Intersentential Code Switching Found in English Young Learners Classroom Interaction

Tag and Intersentential Code Switching Found in English Young Learners Classroom Interaction

Effective Reading Techniques for English for Young Learners

Effective Reading Techniques for English for Young Learners

ENHANCING PUBLIC SPEAKING TO ENGLISH FOR YOUNG LEARNERS VIA EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEECH: A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH USING SPEAKING EVALUATION CRITERIA

This study explores the enhancement of public speaking skills in English for young learners through the implementation of extemporaneous speech techniques, utilizing a comprehensive approach guided by speaking evaluation criteria. Extemporaneous speech, which requires speakers to deliver presentations with minimal preparation, fosters critical thinking, quick organization, and engaging delivery skills essential for effective public speaking. By employing the Oxford Evaluation Criteria, which assesses key components such as the oral introduction, body of speech, summary, attire, performance, audience engagement, creativity, and use of sources, this study provides a structured framework for evaluating and improving these abilities. The research compares the performance of a control group using traditional speaking methods with an experiment group practicing extemporaneous speech. Results indicate that the experiment group shows significantly higher achievement, demonstrating enhanced fluency, coherence, audience engagement, and creativity. These findings suggest that integrating extemporaneous speaking into language learning programs can substantially improve young learners' public speaking proficiency, making it a valuable approach in educational settings.

Time to Proficiency in Young English Learners and Factors That Affect Progress

AbstractWe investigated the time it takes 54,146 English learners (ELs) to attain English proficiency as they progressed from age 5 to 11 on average (Kindergarten through fifth grade in the United States). We also examine to what extent the time‐to‐proficiency estimate is affected by child‐internal and child‐external factors, including primary disability status, primary home language, home English use, instructional programming, and retention status. We used discrete‐time survival analysis to analyze the children's English growth. Survival analysis often concerns time from treatment until death: Here, “survival” is the time from EL‐program entry until “proficiency,” indicated via standardized testing. Half of the students attained proficiency in 5 years. Literacy skills (reading and writing) in general developed at slower rates than oral language skills (speaking and listening), with writing being ELs' biggest barrier to proficiency. While time to proficiency was significantly related to primary disability status, primary home language, and retention status, exposing ELs to their home language at home or at school does not have a substantial effect on their rates of English acquisition. The results are discussed for their research and practical implications.

Metalinguistic Effects on English Spelling: A Structural Equation Model for Early Literacy Instruction

English word spelling attempts originate from spellers’ linguistic and metalinguistic processing. Our study examines the concerted impact of English metalinguistic skills- morphological, phonological, and orthographic processing- on English-as-a-foreign language spelling of a group of young English learners. Structural equation modeling confirmed a three-factor confirmatory factor model, validating phonological awareness on spelling with highest factor loading with degrees of morphology and orthography contribution to spelling. The qualitative spelling analyses also validated phonologically-oriented spelling errors as the most pervasive followed by unique contribution of orthography and morphology. Results, converging with existing literature, emphasize the metalinguistic skills impacts on early EFL literacy development.

CLIL, a competence-based coping strategy against foreign language anxiety in higher education

This article presents a study carried out in the subject of Didactics of English for Very Young Learners, taught in English to Spanish-speaking students at the School of Education of the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. Three comparable classes were exposed to different teaching and assessment conditions. Two of them were the research groups, learning under a competence-based CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) paradigm, while the control group did so under a content-based EMI (English-Medium Instruction) model. The participants (n = 76) were asked to answer two questionnaires, which collected their expectations (pre-questionnaire) and final perceptions (post-questionnaire) in regard to their levels of anxiety towards studying in English. The qualitative and quantitative comparison of their answers facilitated results that allowed to discuss and conclude the beneficial effect of CLIL as a competence-based coping strategy to diminish foreign language anxiety among student teachers who face the challenge of learning in a bilingual classroom setting.

Relationship between young learners’ L2 proficiency and subject knowledge: evaluating a CLIL programme in China

While CLIL programmes have been extensively researched for their impact on L2 learning outcomes, the relationship between young learners’ L2 proficiency and subject knowledge has received less attention. This study aimed to address this research gap by examining the science content knowledge of two cohorts of Grade 5 students (n = 100) from two primary schools in China, with one school implementing a CLIL science programme and the other offering a conventional science programme. The study also investigated the correlation between science achievement and L2 proficiency, measured by assessing learners’ English speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills using the Cambridge Young Learners English Tests. Science knowledge was evaluated with a tailored test aligned with the National Science Curriculum. Results indicated no statistically significant differences in science achievement between CLIL and non-CLIL students, with the former achieving higher mean scores. We also found a significant positive correlation between science knowledge and overall L2 proficiency. Notably, receptive language skills significantly correlated with science scores, while productive language skills did not. These findings provide positive evidence for the potential effectiveness of CLIL programmes in the primary education setting in China.

Utilising gamified formative assessment to support English language learning in schools: a scoping review

ABSTRACT Gamified formative assessment (henceforth GFA) has been suggested as having a strong potential to improve English language learning. However, most previous reviews have examined gamification or computer-assisted formative assessment (hereafter CAFA) separately and included diverse disciplines. Moreover, most relevant studies were found to be conducted in higher education and neglect younger learners. To address these gaps, this scoping review synthesised existing empirical studies to examine the implementation and effects of GFA for school-aged (preschool, primary and secondary school students) English language learners and to identify potential research avenues. This scoping review drew on 30 articles (35 interventions) from 2016 to 2023. The results indicated: (1) points and leaderboards were the most popular gamification elements in GFA; (2) immediate simple written feedback was the most common feedback type provided by GFA; (3) immediate GFA delivered through quizzes was beneficial to students’ academic performance in overall English language proficiency, vocabulary, and grammar; (4) GFA could enhance students’ learning satisfaction, motivation, and engagement. Despite the positive findings, it is important to note that some reviewed studies suffered from relatively weak methodology and theoretical foundations. Therefore, future theory-driven research utilising rigorous experimental and longitudinal methodology is needed to meaningfully extend the understanding towards the use of GFA for young English learners.

The stone left unturned: boredom among young EFL learners

Abstract The present study explores the under-researched phenomenon of boredom, its antecedents, and solutions, as well as the boredom-generating parts of English classes among 227 young learners of English in an Iranian context. Data were collected through an open-ended questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews were thematically analyzed using MAXQDA (Version 2022) to extract themes concerning the issues under study. Findings revealed that teachers’ lack of control over students’ behavior, lack of classroom management, lack of fun in teaching, excessive repetitions, teacher-centered teaching, and classroom physical environment were the main causes of boredom. As for solutions to learners’ boredom, introducing better classroom management strategies, making the class more effervescent, making teaching more learner-centered, and enhancing classroom physical environment were suggested. The findings also revealed that the middle of the English class was the most boredom-generating part for the young learners of English.

Examining the criterion validity of curriculum-based measurement of writing (CBM-W) with young EFL learners

This study examines the criterion validity of curriculum-based measurement of writing (CBM-W) for assessing the writing of young language learners in an EFL context. CBM-W has been found to have criterion validity with a variety of tests and student populations, including learners in ESL settings taking standardized tests. However, evidence of CBM-W's validity for use with young learners in EFL settings is limited. This study seeks to address this gap by investigating the criterion validity argument for the following CBM-W scoring procedures: words written (WW), words spelled correctly (WSC), correct word sequences (CWS), and correct minus incorrect word sequences (CIWS). The data set included classroom-administered narrative prompt writing samples and official test scores from the Cambridge Assessment English Young Learners exam reading and writing test collected from 51 Taiwanese English learners aged seven to eight. A Bayesian correlation data analysis found a greater probability favoring the criterion validity argument for CWS and WSC, with strong evidence for CWS and moderate evidence for WSC. This study sets the foundation for future research examining the validity argument of CBM-W for evaluating young EFL learners’ writing in research and classroom settings.

NON-ENGLISH MAJOR TEACHERS' EXPERIENCES OF TEACHING ENGLISH FOR YOUNG LEARNERS (TEYL): A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

Non-English major teachers’ experiences of teaching English for young learners in Indonesia have not been widely studied until recent times. To fill the lacuna, this phenomenological study looks at the lived experiences of four teachers with non-English major backgrounds who teach English for young learners. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants and teaching observations were also additionally carried out to triangulate the data. The data were then analyzed following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis. Findings suggest that the participating teachers encountered multi-level complexities in teaching English such as wording arrangement, sentence construction, spelling, mother tongue fossilization, and misbelief of English as a foreign language. The study also revealed the use of digital tools, songs, and games, as mostly utilized by the teachers. Interestingly, despite the non-English major backgrounds attached to the teachers, their teachings led to sustained and engaging English language learning among young learners. This study implies that pedagogical decisions have been of value to effective pedagogy and classroom activities in teaching English for young learners.

CLIL Methodology as an Educational Approach to Support Productive Skills for EFL

The process of teaching and learning English as a foreign language needs improvement, and this study aims to address the effectiveness of CLIL in the educational context. The main objective is to gather relevant bibliographic information to verify whether the use of the CLIL methodology can have a positive impact on the productive skills of young learners of English as a foreign language. To achieve this, an in-depth examination of previous studies, general information, the advantages of the CLIL methodology, and its potential contribution to improving oral and writing communication skills is required. It is worth noting that there is a shortage of relevant literature and research on this particular topic in some South American countries, unlike other countries. Furthermore, the present research involved the collection and analysis of existing studies, which lends credibility to the findings. In particular, some aspects of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) have not been widely applied or known by teachers and students in South American educational institutions. As a result, there are many weaknesses in the implementation of the CLIL methodology that do not effectively contribute to students' improvement and acquisition of language learning. The most relevant conclusion shows that the CLIL methodology is applied and contributes to the improvement of the English language, but unfortunately, there is not much information from research work on the contribution of CLIL to the productive skills of the foreign language.

Professional Identity Construction: An Inquiry into the Narratives of Indonesian Teachers of English for Young Learners

Professional Identity Construction: An Inquiry into the Narratives of Indonesian Teachers of English for Young Learners

The Effectiveness of Duolingo Application in Vocabulary Mastery for English for Young Learners in MIN 1 Malang

The Effectiveness of Duolingo Application in Vocabulary Mastery for English for Young Learners in MIN 1 Malang