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In Taiwan, English learning for preschoolers has been a very popular issue in recent years. The quality of English learning, however, is uneven for preschoolers. This research is to explore how Integrated English learning approach which is proposed by MOE(Minister of Education) can be implemented through Non-Full Time EFL(English as a Foreign Language). Research purposes are as below: 1. To understand how the teacher’s planning of the learning activities, taught in class and evaluation of children’s learning in Non-Full Time EFL. 2. To explore ratio and patterns of interaction between teachers and children in Non-Full Time EFL. 3. To understand children’s participation in Non-Full Time EFL. 4. To propose suggestions about Integrated English learning approach in Non-Full Time EFL. Research data was gathered from the English teacher and 31 children in BEAR group of one preschool in Xindian, Taipei. The English teacher and principal of the preschool were interviewed. 41 one-hour English lessons were observed. Flanders Interaction Analysis System was used to analyze data of teacher-children’s interaction and time sampling was adopted to analyze children participation in learning activities.
Main findings are as below 1、English teacher discusses with other teachers in staff meeting and plans activity theme before English lessons. The themes of English teaching program are taught after children have had knowledge related to Chinese teaching themes. Purposes for English teaching are lead children to like English, try to use English; teaching materials are story books, songs and chants; types of activities are warm up, calendar & weather time, alphabet time, story & festival time and theme discussion. In the end of each semester, the English teacher uses “teaching report” and “individual learning feedback” to evaluate children’s learning. 2、As the integrated English teaching approach in Non-Full Time EFL, there is more space for children to ask questions and have oral conversation. Ratio of TT(percent teacher talk) and PT (percent pupil talk) are more than “English Only” and “Bilingual” approach. The teacher focus on questions and answers in “calendar & weather time “; oral drills in “alphabet time”; discussion relate to theme in “theme time”. 3、In general, children’s participation are varied by different activities and learning experiences. Children’s participation in Integrated English teaching approach is 76.1% among all the other behaviors in the class. The highest one is in the category of “focus on the learning activity”, 64.5%. As to different learning activities, children’s participation are significant different in Alphabet time and Story time.
Two main ideas and eleven points of result were proposed for those preschools which wish to implement Integrated English learning approach in Non-Full Time EFL and for researchers who are interested in this issue.
Keywords: English learning for young children, Non-Full Time EFL, Integrated English Teaching, teacher-student interaction, children’s participation
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