Author: European Commission
Publisher: European Commission
Date of Publication: Last updated: 16 January 2013; Last viewed: 26 February 2013
Good practice guidelines from the European Commission.
- Creating meaningful contexts. Storytelling provides children with a perfect framework for listening, speaking and spoken interaction.
- Language learning by imitation is very efficient at this age, for example repeating what a character in a story says, memorising a song, chant or poem.
- Establishing routines is important because this helps to structure what happens in the classroom.
- Maximum exposure to the target language not only from the teacher, but through a varied range of sources such as songs, DVDs, cue cards and any other resources available.
- Parental involvement: A clear definition of the objectives of the teaching and learning of a foreign language in primary education is essential for a shared understanding between the schools and the parents.
- Continuity and progression within primary and between primary and secondary is important for successful language learning and learner motivation.
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