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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
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Unlike adult, children have a lot of natural curiosity as they want to makes sense of things, find out how things work, gain competence,
control over themselves, and do what they can see from others Brown, 2001:89; Haldfied, 2005: 13. This curiosity leads them to get involve in
their world by learning anything surrounding them. This becomes good opportunity for adults and teachers to provide good activities or games
for children that can answer children’s curiosity. Children also learn
something through their exploration and play, and through opportunities to talk things with others, usually adults Pinter, 2006: 5. Meanwhile,
adults and teacher should give good examples when they are talking to children since children will learn from what adults and teacher said.
4. Social Interaction
Pinter said that all learning happens in social interactions with others Pinter, 2006: 12. Children learn through their social interaction with
peers and adults such as parents and teachers. In the beginning of children’s development, the social environment becomes main source for
children to learn. Here, adult’s role is important for children learning
development in which adults should be responsible to mediate the world for children and to make it accessible for them. Adults should guide and
assist the children to help them learn things they want including foreign language. In this case, teacher should give children opportunities to use
language appropriately and meaningfully with each other. Teacher can give group activities or pair work that encourages children to promote
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interaction during the le arning process. It will also sustain children’s
interest and motivation. Moreover, children will enjoy working together in pairs or small group Pinter, 2006: 15.
5. Delight in Talking
Children tend to be self-oriented and keen to talk about themselves since they respond well to learning that uses themselves and their own lives as
the main topics Harmer, 2001: 38. The topics of the learning influence the student’s interest to learn. It will be better if the topics and activities
are closely related to the c hildren’s life. Besides that, children will
indirectly learn and take information from everything around them and their understanding comes from what they see, hear, touch and interact
with. By this children’s characteristic, teacher should give opportunities for children to express their desire orally.
c. Principles of Teaching English for Children
Teaching English for children should be different from teaching English for adults because they learn language with different ways and
objectives. Brewster, Ellis, and Girard stated that the comparison of processes and condition between L1 and L2 learning shows there are certain
principles which teachers need to be aware and make use of wherever possible. Some principles are explained below.
1. Children are excellent observers. They have natural ability to
comprehend meaning in their L1 from variety of sources such as body
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