Tuesday, May 12, 2015
English game my kids came up with
It has been 2 months since I arrived at LA. Unlike other Korean moms who are determined to expose their kids to English surroundings by taking them to English camp,and after school activities, I don't go to anywhere. My children are virtually free after school. It is simply because I am short of time and sadly money for taking them to the expensive extra curricular activities. Also, I have some belief that they will be able to pick up English so rapidly once they reach a certain level by getting enough comprehensive input. One thing that has concerned me regarding English exposure was that my kids spend most of time hanging out with Sue's kids at home. However, I realized yesterday there is nothing to worry about, either. When they are together, they try to come up with creative ways to enjoy themselves. Last night, they played so called English game in the car. The rule is very simple. They take turn making sentences in English. If one of them makes mistakes, he or she will lose. Of course my son is usually the loser. But, he played hard not to lose by saying something full of mistakes in English. I was surprised hearing my son's English. There was great improvement in his fluency. When children are surrounded by English friendly environment, they try to use English even though they share the same L1.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I'm pretty sure you're gonna be more and more surprised each time cause kids pick up everything so easily. And the fact that they play that English game in the car - trying to work on their English even during the free time - is a great start: it shows their motivation, which will soon end up with great success.
ReplyDeleteKids always find fun ways to entertain each other. My next door neighbor is from China she has an 8 year daughter. She has been here for 6 months and speaks limited English. When she first moved in it was funny to watch her and my daughter play together because they didn't speak the same language but they understood every word they said. Even though they don't speak the same language they communicated with laughter.
ReplyDeleteI am happy to hear that your son is practicing. It is true when the children are in a friendly environment, least restrictive environment, they feel free to practice. I think it is important that teachers make their classroom environment a friendly, free of put downs, and teasing to have students participate. Especially in a language classroom.
ReplyDeleteChildren pick up language pretty quickly especially if they are exposed to comprehensive input. I, also, agree that teachers should create friendly, informal, and supportive learning environment, where collaborative activities among the teachers and students are encouraged. Excess interruptions, and error corrections can be demotivating and discouraging. Children will correct themselves as they get to practice freely and without judgment. Of course, it is easier for any foreign language learner to comprehend the language than to produce the language. That’s why you sometimes see children with different language backgrounds, with limited and broken English, understand and play with each other.
ReplyDeleteKeep a diary, record them for a couple of minutes every day. Sounds bad, but you will be able to use the data in your classes! Lia
ReplyDeleteKids are very quick learners. My children also learn English very fast. They always talk to each other in English as possible and prefer to watch any cartoons or movies in English than Mongolian. In the car, they play word spelling games since they are learning how to read and write.
ReplyDelete