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SU · 04-05-2007, 06:50 AM

The term ‘young learners’ refers to children from the first year of formal schooling (6 years old, in our case) to 12 years of age. In some cases language teaching may take place at a younger age, such as 3 to 6. These children are usually referred to as ‘very young learners’. Although these age groups are seen as representing one group, there are in fact distinctive differences between what children of 6 years can do and what children of 10 can do. Because when we consider children we need to consider four related but separate developmental areas- physical, cognitive, socio-emotional, and communicative growth.
           Physical development refers to physical growth and motor control. As a child matures, the higher portions of the brain develop, and the child attains increased control over finer and finer muscle movement.
           Cognitive development is intellectual growth. As a child matures, the methods he uses to organize, store and retrieve information for problem solving and generalization also improve. Each child perceives the world differently as he interprets incoming stimuli in the light of his past experiences.
          Socio-emotional development is closely related to the other areas of development. As a child matures, he becomes less egocentric and more social. Each and every day he learns more about the social behaviours, social rules and customs of his society.
           Finally, communicative development is also closely related to other areas of development. In order to understand the abstract nature of language, the child has to develop cognitively. In order to be able to produce speech, he has to develop physically. In order to use language and communication appropriately, he has to develop socio-emotionally.

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Thread Subject Who Are Youg Learners?	Thread Replies 0
Thread Author SU	Thread Views 155