Early Language Learning and Teaching: Pre-A1-A2

Preface 9

           1 Early Language Learning in Europe and Beyond 13

Benefits of an early start 14

What makes early language learning successful? 17

Teachers are central to the success of early language learning 19

What do young learners already know about languages? 21
 

           2 Understanding and Using the CEFR 25

Communicative language competence 27

The CEFR and the young language learner 29

Using the CEFR descriptors 30

Using the descriptors to define learning outcomes 32

The basic language learner: A1–A2 33

Reception, production, and interaction 36

How can learning and teaching be organized? 36
 

           3 Reception – Oral Comprehension 39

Pre-A1–A1: Reception – listening and understanding 39

Teacher talk – a key component for learning 40

Activities for developing listening and understanding: Pre-A1–A1 45

A2: Reception – listening and understanding 50

Activities for developing listening and understanding: A2 56
 

           4 Oral production – Speaking and Interacting 63

Pre-A1–A1: Production – speaking and interacting 63

Language anxiety 64

Beginning speaking 65

Speaking and interacting in the classroom 66

Activities for developing speaking and interacting skills: Pre-A1–A1 73

A2: Oral production – speaking and interacting 77

Activities for developing speaking and interacting skills: A2 82
 

           5 Reception – Reading Comprehension 89

Pre-A1–A1: Reception – reading comprehension 89

Developing pre-reading skills in a language-rich environment 90

Developing reading at the A1 level 94

Activities for developing reception skills – reading: Pre-A1–A1 98

A2: Reception – reading comprehension 101

Activities for developing reception skills – reading: A2 107
 

           6 Production – Written Interaction 111

Pre-A1–A1: Production – written interaction 111

Spelling comes later 112

A young learner project linked to the CEFR 113

Activities for developing production skills – writing: A1 116

A2: Production – written interaction 118

Activities for developing written production skills: A2 123
 

           7 Learning about Languages and Cultures 127

What is plurilingualism? 128

Plurilingualism, multilingualism, pluriculturality, interculturality 129

The European Language Portfolio and plurilingualism 131

Plurilingualism in the young learner classroom 131

Activities to encourage learners to develop an interest in languages and culture: Pre-A1–A2 136
 

           8 Creating Contexts for Language Learning 139

Content and Language Integrated Learning, CLIL 140

Storyline 141

Storytelling and children’s literature 142

Planning for cross-curricular language use 144

Creating virtual contexts for language learning 151
 

           9 Planning for Online and Distance Learning 153

Online interaction 155

What do we know about online teaching? 156

Let the learners take an active role in their learning 157

Provide learners with a range of activities 158

Creating lessons for online learning 158

Learning together or learning apart 161

Building your online learning community 164

Ideas for online learning 165
 

           10 Assessment for Language Learning 169

Assessment for early language learning 171

Young language learners have uneven learning profiles 173

Planning for assessment 174

Assessment tools for early language learning 175

The importance of feedback 178

Self-assessment 179

Peer-assessment 181

Online assessment tools 182

The CEFR – a useful tool for assessment 183
 

           11 The European Language Portfolio 185

Portfolios for young learners 187

Arguments for using the European Language Portfolio 191
 

           12 What Makes Young Learners Want to 
 Learn a New Language? 195

Motivation for language learning 196

Engaging students in language learning 198

The active language learner 199
 

           13 Getting Ready to Teach 203

Reflection in action 204

Self-assessment of language proficiency in one or more languages 205

Observing language classrooms 208

Planning for language learning 210

Managing the classroom to promote language learning 214

Developing scaffolding skills 216

Learner involvement and influence 217

Get the children to record themselves 220

Exploring your own practice 220

Lifelong learning for teachers 222

Research in the primary classroom 223

Afterword 224

References 227

Appendix 1 233

Online resources 233

Appendix 2 235

Pre-A1, A1 and A2 – CEFR descriptors 235

Self Assessment grid 236

Oral Comprehension 238

Oral Production 238

Oral Interaction 239

Communicative Language Competences 239

Plurilingual and Pluricultural Competence 242

Online Interaction 243

Reading Comprehension 244

Written Assessment grid 244

Index 245