Innovative approaches to ESL for young learners: South Africa and the United States

Abstract

An experiment in the teaching of English L2 to young (pre-primary and primary) children is described. There was a high tutor-to-pupil ratio, but tutors had had no previous experience of teaching at this level. The planning of the lessons and their execution are outlined and the use of activities such as Total Physical Response described. The eclectic nature of these approaches is emphasised and suggestions about the development of further co-operative activities are made. Die skryfster beskryf 'n eksperiment ten opsigte van die onderrig van Engels as tweede taal aan jong (d.w.s. pre-primere en primere) kinders. Die onderwyserleerling- verhouding was hoog, maar die onderwysers het geen vorige ondervinding van onderwys op die vlak gehad nie. Sy beskryf die beplanning en aanbieding van !esse asook die gebruik van aktiwiteite soos die "Total Physical Response". Die eklektiese aard van hierdie benaderings word beklemtoon en voorstelle rakende die ontwikkeIing van verdere kooperatiewe aktiwiteite word gemaak.