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| Joining in the action (Google Images) |
Children are naturally curious and active.They eagerly explore their environment and interact with people, which helps them to construct their understanding of the world they live in. An important way in which they do this is through physical activity and experiencing things at first hand. Let's see how this helps them in learning a foreign language.
In this example, a teacher from Croatia, has been doing an action rhyme with (six to seven year-old) children involving their fingers (Put your finger on your toes, etc). Children have enjoyed this and have even requested her to do it again Now she has invited children to come out and give instructions to their friends. They listen and then carry out the instructions.
PI Put your finger on your hand (The last word was not clear and some children are not clear where to put their finger )
T Well, once again you have to be precise Where do put where do you want them to put
PI Put your finger on your hand (stresses the word 'hand, and pupils put their fingers on their hands)
T (asks pupils) Where is your hand,
All right
PI Put your finger on your neck (pupils obey)
Put your finger on your knee
T OK that was very good Next? (another child volunteers)
P2 Put your finger on your nose
Put your fingers on your head
- How is the language linked to the physical activity?
- Why is this type of activity (action game) likely to be very helpful for language learning?
In the first part of the lesson, the teacher and children did the actions together as they said the words So the actions helped to make the meaning of the words clear In the later listen and do activity, pupils listened to the instructions as their classmates told them what to do and then demonstrated their understanding of it through a physical action.
Physical activities, e.g. making things, action songs, games, rhymes and drama provide excellent contexts for language learning The language is closely related to what is happening in the situation, and so children can get clues about the meaning from the activity which accompanies the language They learn through doing. There is also a clear and meaningful purpose for them in using the language. The listen and do activities are particularly useful for beginners, as children's listening abilities may be far ahead of their speaking abilities. This type of activity allows pupils to be actively learning and participating, but does not force them to speak or produce language till they are ready. It provides them with exposure to meaningful input.