Teaching English to Young LearnersSCL
Assignment 5 – A task of your own choice (30%)
Choose one of the following tasks. Use what you have learned from the background reading, class discussions, and your own observations to produce a piece of work that shows depth of thought, pedagogical understanding and critical analysis. You may work in pairs.
- ICT and young learners – a review of software and Internet (web-based) materials and how to use them in teaching
There is a wide range of materials available utilizing computer and information technology for the teaching of English to young learners. The English department at the University of Icelandhas recently developed a website for young learners of English: and the Teaching Materials Commission (Námsgagnastofnun) provides links to web-based materials produced by them, for example Iceland in English, Write Right, Verbatim andSpell( (You can also use the Krakkasíður and Unglingasíður buttons in the left margin.) Lower on the page is a collection of links to a variety of websites that contain games, songs, stories, and language activities for learners and teachers of English.
In addition, the KHÍ Teachers’ ResourceCenter also has some examples of computer software for English language learners (from Námsgagnastofnun and elsewhere, such as Play with words andThe A-Files).
Take a good look at any software that you can find and scan the Internet for sites that you would like to evaluate. In writing, do a critical analysis of the materials in terms of their learning objectives, types of activities, user-friendliness, appropriateness, and appeal to students. A suitable amount of materials would be 1-2 software applications and/or 3-4 websites.
- Research review – Issues concerning young learners
Review at least three articles that deal with issues concerning young learners of English (for groups – more articles). Choose articles from professional journals in the KHÍ library or on-line journals (through ProQuest, Ebsco or Google Scholar). Summarize the main points of the articles and discuss their importance for the field of study. Do they deal with theory or methodology? If so, what can be criticized in the theory or practical application of the method? Give your opinions on the authors’ viewpoints and reflect on the implication they may have on English instruction and learning in the Icelandic schools.
- Coursebook analysis
Choose one of the sets of teaching materials for young learners (Portfolio, Right On! or any other set of materials for young beginners). Read through the Teacher’s Guide and familiarize yourself with all the teaching materials in the set. Address the following questions:
- What are the guiding principles and objectives of the materials? Are they clearly stated? Give an overview of the way the materials are to be used in the classroom by the teacher and students. Are they in line with the objectives set forth in the National Curriculum guide for beginner learners of English?
- How is the coursebook organized – according to topics, language functions, skill areas, etc? Is it ‘user-friendly’ for both the teacher and learners?
- What kinds of activities are used to practice the four skills? Is there variety and a balance between skills? Are the topics interesting?
- How is language assessment dealt with? For example, explain how My Portfolio Collection is intended to be used.
- Do the teaching materials contribute to learner awareness and autonomy? If so, how?
In addition, choose one unit or topic in the coursebook and evaluate it in detail in regard to the criteria listed above. Give your opinion about the effectiveness of the materials and any suggestions for improvements.
- Supplementary materials – an analysis of materials for learners with special needs
Two sets of materials aimed at learners with special needs have been created by Icelandic teachers, Lærum ensku and Listen First!, and are available in the KHÍ library. (Listen First!is not intended for the youngest learners but can be chosen for this assignment.)
Choose one of the sets of materials (CDs included) and do a written analysis of them. Your analysis should include an overview of the way the materials are to be used in the classroom by the teacher and students. What are the guiding principles and objectives of the materials? Evaluate the effectiveness and ‘user-friendliness’ of the teaching materials.What do you think of the list of topics? What types of activities are provided? Are they easy to use in the classroom, will they motivate the students, how will they help students learn, etc.?
In addition, pick 2 topics to explain in detail. Analyze the activities, question typesand exercises that go with the topic. Explain what you like or do not like about them and include any suggestions for improvements.
- Supplementary materials – an analysis of video materials
The library has asmall selection of video materials for English instruction aimed at young beginners. Some examples are:
-We’re Kids in Britain
-Wallace and Grommit (A Close Shave and The Wrong Trousers)
-Winnie the Witch
Familiarize yourself with the videos and accompanying activity books and make a comparison of them. What are the guiding principles and objectives of the materials? What types of activities are provided?
Also discuss the value of the materials. Take some examples of activities and explain what you like or do not like about them. Are they easy to use in the classroom, will they motivate the students, how will they help students learn, etc.?
Finally, discuss how the video materials could be integrated into your teaching. Pick a topic from a set of materials to explain in detail, or in the case of Winnie the Witch, create some classroom activities that could be used with the video.
- Language assessment – a review of the European Language Portfolio
Familiarize yourself with the European Language Portfolio by exploring the website from the Council of Europe: .
The Icelandicversion of the portfolio is downloadable at On the website for The National Advisory Centre on Early Language Learning you can see the UK versions of the Junior Languages Portfolio and a Teacher’s Guide, which gives guidelines for use of the portfolio with young learners: .
Begin your review of the materials by summarizing the guiding principles and objectives of the language portfolio. Also discuss the organization of the portfolio and the main components. How would you incorporate the portfolio into your teaching? Give your opinions about its usefulness, effectiveness, and the learning and motivational value of the portfolio for learners.
Finish your review by comparing the Icelandic and UK versions of the portfolio. How do they differ? Which version do you find more appealing and why?
- ICT and young learners – a review of Skólavefurinn
Skólavefurinn, is a web-based resource that is available in many schools. It provides a number of texts and language activities for learners at various levels. Do a critical analysis of the materials on the website. Read about how the site is set up and used, both for teachers and students. Then familiarize yourself with the variety of texts and activities you find for beginningEnglish learners (grades 5-7).
Analyze the activities andreading texts, keeping in mind things like length, variety, appeal to learners, difficulty, clarity of instructions and type of language used. Reflect on how well the activities correspond to current language teaching theory. Also, look for the objectives of the activities and comment on whether they are in line with the National Curriculum guidelines for young English learners. Give your opinions about the website materials and its 'user-friendliness' and provide examples to support your views. (Contact me for information about how to access the site.)