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C. Review on Young Learners
1. The Definition of Young Learners
According to Sarah Phillips 1996: 1 young learners mean children from the first year of formal schooling five or six years old to eleven, or twelve year
ages. While according to Scott and Lisbeth 1990:2 states that the children are divided into two main groups throughout the book-the five to seven years old and
eight to ten years old”. The five to seven years old are all at level one in the beginner stage. The eight to ten years old may also beginner, or they may have
been learning the foreign language for sometimes, so there are both level two pupils in the eight to ten age group. According them, young learners five to seven
years old have some characteristics i.e.: 1.
They can talk about what they are doing 2.
They can tell you about what they have done or heard 3.
They can argue for something and tell you why they think and what they think
4. They can use a wide range of intonation pattern in their
mother tongue 5.
They can understand direct human interaction They also added the characteristics of young language learners. The
characteristics are as follows: 1.
They are very logical what you say first happens 2.
They have a very short attention and concentration span 3.
The adult world and the child world are not the same
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4. Young children love to play, and learn best when they are
enjoying themselves 5.
Young children are enthusiastic and positive about learning
Moreover, Harley in Cameron 2002: 15 states that young learners are group of children 7-8 years that are studying a foreign language; they seem to
pay more attention to sound, whereas older children 12-14 are more attentive to cue of word order. Brumfit 1997: 67 states that young learners are group of
children level of age five to six, where they learn language without reading and writing.
From the explanation above, it can be concluded that young learners is a group of students
’ level of age five to fourteen, where every stage they have some characteristics suitable to their level of age. When they learned language, the
teacher should choose the right method or technique so that the young learners are able to study with their ability and interest. Young learners are interested in
knowing further about something new in their surrounding such as new word and new sound. The children like to learn something new that they consider strange
and make them enjoyable.
2. Teaching Speaking to Young Learners
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