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26 subculture with its own mythology, its own rituals, and its own
priesthood. As such it is part of students’ lines in unsuspected positive energy.
3. Nature of Children
a. Nature of Children Hornby 1995: 193 children are a young person from birth to the age of
full physical development. More than anything else, children are curious, and this in itself motivating. At the same time their span of attention or concentration
is less than adult. Children will often seek teacher approval: the fact that the teacher notices them and shows appreciation for what they are doing is of vital
importance. b.
Characteristics of Children Halliwell 1998: 3 identifies the characteristics of young learner. For
example, children: 1 Are already very good at interpreting meaning without necessarily
understanding the individual words. 2 Already have great skill in using limited language creatively.
3 Frequently learn indirectly rather than directly. 4 Take great pleasure in finding and creating fun in what they do.
5 Have a ready imagination. 6 Above all take great delight in talking.
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According to Scott and Ytreberg 1998: 1-4 the children’s development can be divided into two main groups. The first is five to seven year olds and the
second is eight to ten year olds. The following are the children’s characteristics in each group:
1 Five to seven year olds
a They
can talk about what they are doing. b They can tell you about what they have done or heard.
c They can plan activities. d They can argue for something and tell you why they think what they
think. e They can use logical reasoning.
f They can use their vivid imaginations. g They can use a wide range of intonation patterns in their mother
tongue. h They can understand direct human interaction.
2 Eight to ten year olds
a Their basic concepts are formed. They have very decided views of the world.
b They can tell the difference between fact and fiction. c They ask questions all the time.
d They rely on the spoken word as well as the physical world to convey and understand meaning.
e They are able to make some decisions about their own learning.
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28 f They have definite views about what they like and do not like doing.
g They have a developed sense of fairness about what happens in the classroom and begin to question the teacher’s decisions.
h They are able to work with others and learn from others. While Brumfit 1997: v gives a list of the characteristics which young
learners share as follows: 1
Young learners are only just beginning their schooling, so that teachers have a major opportunity to mould their expectations of life
in school. 2
As a group they are potentially more differentiated than secondary or adult learners, for they are closer to their varied home cultures, and
new to the conformity increasingly imposed across cultural grouping by the school.
3 They tend to be keen and enthusiastic learners.
4 Their learning can be closely linked with their development of ideas
and concepts, because it is so close to their initial experiences of formal schooling.
5 They need physical movement and activity as much as stimulation for
their thinking, and the closer together these can be the better.
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C. Total Physical Response 1.
