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CHAPTER II THEORETICAL REVIEW
A. Teaching English to Children
1. The Characteristics of Children
Children who learn language are different from those adult. It is influence by their own characteristic having close relations to their development in the
learning language. Most children are difficult to think abstractly. They tend to get an understanding of the language from a context or real situation. Their
understanding comes through their physical world. In contrast, the adult can think abstractly. Their understanding comes through their ability to think cognitively,
solving problems in using language by relating one situation to the others. According to Susan 1997: 7, the important thing with primary children is that
language is presented in context; adult may be able to analyze language and refers to their L1 to help them to understand, but children cannot. They need a clear
visual and or a real context to understand. Furthermore, Scoot and Ytreberg 2000:1 divide children into two main
groups; they are children of five to seven years old and the eight to ten years old. Referring to Scoot and Ytreberg opinion, there are the characteristic of each of the
group that could be mentioned as follows: a.
The Characteristic of Five to Seven Years Old 1
They can talk about what they are doing. 2
They can tell about what they have done or heard.
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They can use logical reasoning. 4
They can understand direct human interaction. 5
They know that the world is governed by rules. 6
They understand situations more quickly that they understand the language use.
7 They use language skill long before them aware of them.
8 Their own understanding comes through hands and eyes and ears. The
physical world is dominant at all times. 9
They are very logical, what we say first happens first. 10
They have a very short attention and concentration span. 11
Young children sometimes have difficulty in knowing what fact is and what fiction is.
12 Young children are often happy playing and working alone but in the
company of others. 13
Children don’t always ask. They either pretend to understand or they understand in their own terms and do what they think we want them to
do. 14
Young children can not decide for themselves what to learn. 15
Young children love to play, and learn best when they are enjoying themselves.
16 Young children are enthusiastic and positive about learning.
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The Characteristics of Eight to Ten Years Old 1
Their basic concepts are formed. They have very decided views of the world.
2 They can tell the differences between fact and fiction.
3 They ask questions all the time.
4 They are able to make some decisions about their own learning.
5 They rely on their spoken word as well as the physical world to convey
and understanding meaning. 6
They have definite views about what they like and don’t like doing. 7
They have a developed sense of fairness about what happens in the classroom and begin to question the teacher’s decisions.
8 They are able to work with others and learn from others.
From the characteristic above, it can be concluded that children have their own characteristics in learning language based on their age development. They
can learn best when they learn in fun atmosphere. Consequently, a teacher should be aware of how to teach the children effectively. He needs to adapt his
expectation s with respects to the student’s progress.
2. Teaching English to Children
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