Objectives of the Development

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CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW

A. Theoretical Review

1. Children as Young Language Learners

a. Definition of Children

Young learners defined as children between five to twelve years of age Cameron, 2001: vii. In Indonesia, children in age 5 to 6 years old primarily learn in kindergarten. Those who are in age 7 to 12, they learn in elementary school. Suyanto 2007:15 classified young learners into two groups, namely younger group for 6-8 years old and older group for 9-12 years old. Scott and Ytreberg 2004:1 also classified students into two levels. They are level one for students in 5-7 years old and level two for students in 8-10 years old. English for children has been introduced in some kindergartens in Indonesia, and they will learn more about English for children in elementary school. This is because some school principals believe that the younger the children learn foreign language, the better they acquire it. This is the terms of critical period in which a person needed to learn the second language in the period roughly before puberty, or heshe will lose the ability to become native-like altogether Andrew D. Cohen : 171. 9

b. Characteristics of Children

Basically, there are some differences between the characteristics of children and adults. Some children ’s characteristics become a good opportunity for adults and teachers to teach them foreign language earlier. Here are some characteristics of children based on some experts: 1. Active learners Children’s cognitive ability is still developing and it makes children more active. It can be seen from their ability in building knowledge to solve problem by doing assimilation and accommodation Brown, 2001: 92, Cameroon, 2001: 2-4. This characteristic becomes opportunity for adults and teacher to give good examples as the input. Comprehensible input is language input that can be understood by listeners despite them not understanding all the words and structures in it. It is described as one level above that of the learners if it can only just to be understood. Krashen, 2003. 2. Attention Span It is the length of time children can concentrate on a task or activity without being distracted. It is different from adults’ attention span in which children’s attention span can be shortened when they feel boring, useless, and complicated during the activities in the class Brown, 2001: 88. 3. Curiosity and Exploration