1.1. Children have more time availabe to learn a language.
1.2. They are likely to attain native-like pronunciation, confidence in speaking and exceptional fluency.
1.3. They can gain cultural understanding.
1.4. They develop mental flexibiliy.
2. Hown Children Learn Language
2.1. through a learning environment similar to L1 acqusition: it is important to teach language in context and meaningful to YL for the sake of motivation. Since it is almost impossible to create an environment similar to L1 acquisition , teachers should engage children through storytelling, singing, watching movies, etc.
2.2. through meaningful exposure: it is advisable to use L2 as much time as possible and to support comprehension of input by using realia, visuals, gestures and caregiver speech.
2.3. not through grammatical explanations: children will learn through lots of exposure, repetition and recycling of the L in different contexts
3. EYL Programs
3.1. FLEX: it introduces children to different languages and cultures through songs, music and stories.
3.2. FLES: a language is studied as a regular subject at school.
3.3. Immersion: language is used as medium of instruction, at least for the half of the school day.
3.4. Dual-language: classes in which some students speak one language and some students speak another language, children receive instruction through each language.
3.5. Transitional and maintenance bilingual: it helps children to start speaking the language of schooling but without losing their first or heritage language.
4. EYL Teachers
4.1. they need to know how to develop interesting activities and to have a suitable proficiency to teach young learners.
5. Characteristics of Young Learners
5.1. energetics and active; kinesthetic activities are suggested (TPR method).
5.2. spontaneous, willing to participate, good imitators of English: songs, chants, role-plays are suggested.
5.3. curious: exposure to exotic factors and to varied cultures.
5.4. imaginative: activities in which students are required to use their imagination are suggested, likie role-plays, the use of puppets, stories and costumes.
5.5. have short attentions spans; however, they can concentrate on longer activities if they are fun and interesting; allow students to take a break is suggested.
5.6. egocentric: YLs personalize every single aspect of their lives, that´s why, activities where students are required to connect new infromation and language to themselves are recommended.
5.7. social: since YL love interacting with others, playing games and diffrent groupings are paramount.
6. How Children Learn
6.1. BY DOING AND INTERACTING: Piaget (1970)emphasized that children construct knowledge through their own actions and exploration. They learn from their own experience; they need to touch, taste, see. The use of realia in the classroom is an axcellent idea.
6.2. BY SUPPORT AND SCAFFOLDING ON PART OF THE ADULTS: Vygotsky(1962) stated that children construct knowledge through interaction with others. Adults/Teachers work with children in Zone of Proximal Development (ZTD) which menas that a child solve problems with assistance or scaffolding.
