(2. Classroom Language) 1. Young Learners Language Development

Young learners are the learners between five to ten (Scott and Ytreberg, 1990). Five to seven year olds are in level one of beginner stage and eight to ten year olds are in level two of beginner stage. In level two the children may have been learning the foreign language.
What the children can do at their own level (between five to seven years old)?
• They can talk about what they are doing.
• They can tell you about what they have done or heard.
• They can plan activities.
• They can argue for something and tell you why they think what they think.
• They can use logical reasoning.
• They can use their vivid imaginations.
• They can use a wide range of intonation patterns in their mother tongue.
• They can understand direct human interaction.

What the children can do at their own level (between eight to ten years old)?
• They can tell the difference between fact and fiction.
• They ask questions all the time.
• They relate language and action to understand meaning.
• They can decide their own learning.
• The can say what they like and don’t like doing.
• The start to ask the teacher decision.
• They like work with others and learn from others.
• They are competent users of mother language.

Furthermore, Oesterreich notes some children language development by the time they start their school as follows.

■ Age 5 to 6
Typical language skills
1. Speaks with correct grammar and word form.
2. Expresses self in pretend play.
3. Writes first name, some letters, and numbers.
4. Reads simple words.

Nurture the child’s language skills
1. Read books with children everyday.
2. Encourage pretend play. Help children create properties from old sheets, cardboard box, and household items. Sho children how label their creations with simple signs like “Shoe Store” or “Tickets.”
3. Encourage children to put on simple plays and shows.
4. Let children help you sort something and cut ads out of the newspaper.
5. Ask the children to help you locate and find grocry items in the grocery store.
6. Check how many store signs recognized by the children.

Try songs and fingerplays
Songs and fingerplays are always interesting to children. Some familiar songs for parents and teachers can be used in their foreign language learning such as “Hokey Pokey”, “Farmer in the Dell”, “If You’re Happy and You Know It”, “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”, and “Five Little Monkeys”. Furthermore, children also delight in fingerplays such as “Two Little Blackbirds”, “One Little Finger”, and “Itsy Bitsy Spider”.