children learning english incorpvalues

Children Learning English as a Foreign Language Introduction One of the main goals of modern education is to teach children good citizenship. It can be a real challenge, but it can also be extremely rewarding when English is used as a means to teach children values. Helping students develop values such as honesty, cooperation, acceptance, friendship, generosity, respect, kindness and compassion is as important as teaching them grammar and vocabulary. Values are the best tools to help children face peer pressure. When they have their own values clearly defined, they can make their own decisions and cope with challenges and difficulties in a less threatening way. As a mother, I feel this is one of the greatest gifts a teacher can give to her students. We’ve come to believe that 21 st century children are different from children in the past, but in what sense? Children’s basic developmental needs have not changed. They need attention, shelter, emotional stability, clear boundaries, firm affection, and recognition. They still need to play, to sing, and to listen to stories, as these activities help them feel comfortable in a non-threatening context. So what has changed? Children are Immersed in the 21 ST Century Media Culture Children have already incorporated technology as part of their lives. They play, they sing, they listen to stories and they communicate using technology the same way they play with more traditional toys and games. Cellular phones, PIRI SZABÓ ELT CONSULTANT FOR PEARSON Incorporating Values Dear teachers, I’ve been an EFL teacher and teacher trainer for more than 26 years. I’m also the mother of three so I’ve been pretty much involved in education. After many years I had to make a difficult decision. New technologies were everywhere and they were creating a revolution in education. Students were being raised in a world of instant access to knowledge. As a teacher, I had two options: To give up working in education or to embrace technology. I decided to embrace it! As an educator I felt I had to learn how to use the different media to teach content. More than that, I felt I had to explore how to educate the “new child,” raised in a world of instant information. I decided to write a short article about my findings. I hope you enjoy reading it! Piri2 gaming devices, personal data assistants, laptops, computers and TV are now part of their world. Now it’s our turn! Twenty-first century teachers should recognize the critical need for developing 21 st century teaching skills. I think that in general we have all seen CD-ROMs and online activities that help reinforce content, but how can we incorporate the teaching of values in this technological environment? Are we still talking about the same values? Here is a list of very simple hints to help you incorporate the teaching of values into your 21 st -century classes: 1. Going to the language lab is always an opportunity to teach respect, kindness and cooperation. Children should show respect for the school and for the other students by taking care of the equipment. They should be quiet while walking to the lab (to show respect for other students). If they have to work in pairs or small groups because of the number of computers, they will have to learn to share and to cooperate with each other. (In this case, they also need to learn communication skills, another essential element in emotional and social development.) To be honest, as an educator I think it is better for them to work in pairs than to work alone because it’s through interacting with other children that they learn how to make friends, resolve misunderstandings, and work collaboratively. Working on a computer can help children develop physical control. 2. Always address the “whole child.” Pay attention to attitudes, feelings, and mood. Don’t limit your interaction to content correction. If we want to work on values it is important to foster children’s feelings of confidence and success. Success is the biggest motivator of all! 3. Help children get organized before they start working. Create a consistent routine in the language lab. There should always be a ”pre-online moment”. Be sure that you understand what they have to do. (You don´t have to master the games. §) Set clear objectives and rules. Don’t let them start doing whatever they want. There should be a “wrap-up moment.” 4. Help children learn to accept the result — win and to lose. We now live in a society of winners and losers. Don’t let the obsession with competition damage the game or the activity. 5. Help children understand they don’t need everything they see. They are a generation of mini-consumers who want everything they see on screen. When working online they will be exposed to all kinds of ads so it’s a great opportunity to work on this topic.