in this picture a fun activity to review Qs&As
Hi there! How is your summer going?
Is your mind already busy thinking about next year English classes?
As I anticipated in my previous post, here in Italy the new guidelines for primary and middle school state that "a teacher should enter the classroom speaking English" creating an immersive environment from the very beginning, where students are encouraged to express themselves using the language.
For many children, however, speaking a foreign language can initially cause shyness, hesitation, or fear of making mistakes. Also, we must remember the well known 'silent period' which is that natural phase that occurs during the language acquisition process: children need time to listen, observe and process the new sounds and structures before they build confidence and feel ready to speak (Krashen, 1982). Of course, this doesn't mean that children are not learning; during this phase, in fact, they are actively building their understanding of the language and it's important not to force them to translate or produce language before they are ready as I wrote about in my book 'I bambini alle prese con l'inglese' .
But how can we make our pupils feel comfortable and at the same time make sure they are learning?
With games, of course!
Play, as we all know, is not merely a recreational activity: it is a fundamental and powerful teaching tool. Through games, songs, movement, routines and cooperative learning, children gradually feel more relaxed and confident. When they are not afraid of making mistakes or being judged, they are much more willing to listen, participate and use English naturally. In other words, these activities help lower the affective filter (Krashen, 1982), creating the emotional conditions that support language acquisition.
Keep in mind:
🎲 Games → allow children to participate using nonverbal responses or simple words, while respecting each child’s individual pace. Take a peek here
📚 Storytelling → Provides a rich linguistic input without the pressure of having to speak right away. Check this books out!
🎵 Songs and chants → Help children become familiar with sounds and structures through repetition. Check my lesson plans around the blog, they always come with a song related to the topic
🤝 Cooperative Learning → Creates opportunities for gradual and safe interaction. Get Some ideas right here!
It's important to remember that for the first month, at least, the goal is not to speak perfectly from day one, but to create a relaxed environment where every attempt at communication is welcomed and valued.
This is where true language immersion can begin!
