Methods of teaching English in elementary school

Children begin to learn foreign languages ​​from the first grade of a comprehensive school. On the one hand, this is a great opportunity to acquire at least B1 , but on the other hand, it adds questions to teachers. After all, it is not so easy to choose the right teaching methodology that will bring a measurable and noticeable result.

Let's look at what are the popular and effective methods of teaching kids.

Classical technique

The most common approach for all levels of education in the CIS countries.

The bottom line is to study a grammar rule in one or two lessons with explanations in Russian and consolidation with the help of written and oral exercises. The teacher actively works with children, selects different types of activities: writing, reading, retelling. However, the disadvantage is that it is not always accurate to check the degree of success of the learned material due to the large number of students.

For complex assessment, monotonous tests are often used, which do not give a visual result. Only diverse control work in several versions can be indicative. Often the teacher does not have time for this.

In addition, when using only this technique, oral speech is noticeably "lame". A child may know grammar and write well, but have difficulty communicating in English on a free topic. Thus, the traditional approach to learning has its own distinctive features:

In elementary grades, this approach is implemented in the form:

• reading specialized adapted literature,
• performing written exercises in the Work book or Activity book,
• listening to videos, short films, cartoons.
• work with pictures, cards, illustrations.

To achieve the maximum effect from the lessons, this approach should be combined with others.

Communicative method

Communicative methodology is one of the most promising areas. Gained popularity at the end of the 20th century and is still the most effective alternative to the usual memorization of rules.

The main idea is to immerse the kids in the language environment and the traditional life of the country. In elementary school, this technique includes:

• reading and working with children's fiction in the original,
• reading bilingual or multilingual books,
• watching cartoons in the original,
• active work in pairs and mini-groups,
• study of real life situations in a foreign language,
• Lots of speaking practice.

Teachers conduct classes in English, as a rule, in a free form. For example, the lesson is completely devoted to the traditions and history of Thanksgiving Day, which is celebrated in the USA on November 25th. The topics of classes may overlap with other subjects - this is a common practice for private schools. In addition, in the classroom, children actively communicate with each other, draw, perform creative tasks and learn to interact with each other and with the teacher.

For successful practice in the framework of the communication methodology, the teacher must rely on the following key aspects:

• work with the motivation of children with the help of engaging content,
• the use of current topics or the integration of English and other subjects,
• formation of an active vocabulary,
• maintaining a healthy and friendly atmosphere conducive to interaction and communication,
• giving students personal responsibility for the level of speech proficiency,
• removal of barriers and fears associated with free communication in English.

With the correct distribution of classroom time, children learn grammar well, learn to communicate freely, develop social and creative skills, applying and reinforcing all grammatical constructions in the course of a lively conversation.

Game training for younger students

Many teachers who have been working in elementary grades for a long time are well acquainted with the psychophysiological characteristics of children and use only the game method. The game almost never goes wrong, unlike any other approach that involves lesson planning.

Students perceive new material better when the teacher adheres to the following scheme:

• demonstration and visual support,
• voicing and repetition
• letter fixing,
• practical actions that will be associated with new information.

Each item has its own characteristics. So, when demonstrating, the rule applies: an illustration in a book is not enough, so you can use additional pictures, videos, drawings, posters, a projector, a computer, or thematic items.

Sounding should not exceed 60 seconds in duration - after a minute, the child begins to perceive audio or video that is not in Russian worse. You can use not only technique, but also tell rhymes, nursery rhymes, tongue twisters or sing songs.

The letter is worked out on the board or in a notebook, or on a common drawing paper.

To work out practical actions, teachers most often resort to the following options:

• "Snowball" - the first student says a new learned word, the second repeats it and adds his own, and so on, until a set of 10 or more words is obtained. Instead of words, you can use learned rules or grammatical examples - it all depends on the teacher's imagination. Children sit in a circle or stand - it is not necessary to be at their desks.
• "Talking ball" - the teacher throws the ball and says the word, and the student must throw the ball back to him with the translation.
• "Alterations" - you can use a ball, or you can make an impromptu magic wand or toy. teacher gives the kid a wand and calls out a word, for example, a baby, and the child must wave the wand and turn it into a plural. There are many options.
• "Friends" - students pass the toy in a circle and ask each other questions on the material covered.
• “Guessing game” - everyone takes turns drawing the outlines of an object from the vocabulary learned on the board and guessing.
• "Surprise" is a live game in which you can come up with many different interpretations. You can blindfold and let the student touch the object, which he must describe in English. In addition, you can hide an object in a box and talk about it without naming it - let the class guess what is inside.
• "Check your luck" - this game requires a large alphabet or cut out letters in a bag. The idea is for the child to draw and poke at random into a letter and name as many words as possible for it.
• “Who hid” - children make up many small words from a large one.

It is allowed to come up with your own games - the main thing is to choose something that will resonate with the students. Do not be upset if you prepared carefully, but the desired effect did not happen - in this case, you should find out who their favorite cartoon characters are and use this information to prepare the next lesson.

Tips for teachers when using a playful approach

• Toddlers get tired much faster than others, but they also need more activity, so do not be afraid to play games with a ball, toys, physical elements such as jumping, squatting, clapping. The kids will love it for sure.
• Do not overdo it with animation, brightness, number of characters and sounds on slides. It's tiring. It is also worth remembering that a large amount of text also reduces concentration.
• If they don’t listen to you, don’t fall into despair, it’s better to conduct a survey on what they would like to know and what their favorite games are.
• Don't be afraid to fantasize. In some foreign schools, teachers arrange costume parties. After all, the main thing is that the material is learned.
• Do not scold the guys if they do the task wrong or do not understand, do not discuss their mistakes and miscalculations in front of the whole class, do not humiliate even the most backward students. The teacher in elementary school becomes a very important close person, whose opinion is extremely authoritative.

Games are:

1. role-playing (plays, dialogues, life situations),
2. improvisational (monologue, creative projects, general conversation),
3. competitive (crossword puzzles, lotto, board games),
4. rhythmic and musical (dances, ball games),
5. artistic (graphic dictation, collective fairy tale, coloring, modeling).

Combined teaching in elementary grades

With such training, the teacher combines any type of activity in the lesson at his own discretion. With a mixed approach, everything is allowed:

• creating projects,
• learning songs,
• use of literature
• constructor games,
• playing plays,
• creative pursuits,
• excursions and much more.

Of course, a huge plus is diversity. But with such a rich program, it is difficult for a teacher to follow a program that still includes mandatory milestones, assessment, and the expected result at the end of the school year.

Features of teaching children in elementary school

The teacher has a great responsibility - to instill in a small person a desire to explore the world, cope with difficulties and study hard.

Based on this, the global goals in the lesson are not only the study of grammar and vocabulary replenishment. It is important for a child to convey the importance of knowing the language and cultural characteristics of other countries. The chosen methodology should emphasize the practical importance of English, encourage the dreams and goals of the child, arouse interest in travel and a possible future profession. Thus, it is necessary to teach children to perceive the information in the lesson as useful and necessary for a successful future.

As a conclusion

It can be summarized that the methodology of teaching children in elementary school should be based on the following principles:

• Learning through communication and communication with people.
• The most individual approach to students, both in terms of presentation of material and in assessment.
• Interesting, useful, fresh and new information as the basis for the lesson.
• Raising awareness and responsibility for their results.
• Integration of a foreign language with other subjects.

Applying the above rules, you will be able to be the most successful teacher.