The best thing about TV for young learners is that it can present them the language in a variety of different circumstances but with context. This is a really wonderful way for children to learn something without getting bored or tired of the language as it can be presented in a variety of ways that keeps them interested.
Programs that specialize in the education of young children or even regular TV programs that would be watched by a child of the same age would be a great way of them to be able to grow accustomed to English at a level they should be comfortable with.
My main concern with TV as a main source of presenting language is that because it is easy for a parent to switch it on and leave a child in front of it for a long time. This can quickly become the main source of material for studying but it is my belief that children should have a more varied learning approach.
Watching TV is good in small doses but it also encourages children to be quite passive when I come to learning. I would encourage parents to pick more interactive programs, ones that actively encourage the children to repeat words, provide answers etc.
My final piece of advice would be to encourage parents to offer a balanced learning experience. It shouldn’t be all books, all software or all TV but a mixture of all of them taking their children’s preferences into consideration.
Initially for any child learning English I would highly recommend texts that promote the understanding of phonics. Children are bombarded with the alphabet when they are young and although this is the first hurdle to being able to read and write, it is only half the battle. Learning Phonics is the key to learning how to read and I would encourage students (especially those of a second language) to start learning phonics as early as possible. The idea is that if you can teach a child to read, they can then teach themselves.
As these kinds of books are usually initially read to children from a parent however, I would exercise caution. In some secondary languages the phonics that are present in the English language do not necessarily translate so well when exported to other languages. When considering Japanese learners especially there are some phonics that prove to be rather difficult.
Here is a prime example:
The ‘Ll’ and ‘Rr’ sound (/l/ and /r/). This sound can be extremely difficult for Japanese learners to not only produce but to recognize and I would highly recommend any adult to understand the difference between the two sounds before encouraging their child to practice. This can be done first by understanding how the sound is made and then through continued, strict practice.
A video here gives a very good explanation between the 2 sounds:
Other difficult pronunciation areas for Japanese learners to watch out for are as follows:
LとRの発音です。この発音は日本人の学習者にとって、発音すること自体も非常に難しいですが、聞き分けることも難しいです。わたしは、大人の方には必ず、子どもたちに練習させる前に、これら二つの音の違いを自分たちが理解することを強くお勧めします。これは、まず、どのようにこの音が発音されるかを理解することから始め、そして、繰り返し、厳しく練習することでできます。
このビデオはこの二つの音の違いをとても良く説明しています。
日本人の学習者が気をつけるべきその他の難しい発音領域は以下になります。
‘Ll’と‘Rr’ の音 (/l/ と /r/)。この音はそれを発音するだけでなくそれらを認識することも日本の学習者にとって非常に難しいことがあり、子供に練習するよう促す前に、これら2つの音の違いをききわけられる大人に大変お勧めします。これは音がどのように作られるのかを最初に理解し、継続的な厳しい練習を行う必要がある。
こちらのビデオはそれらの2つの音を大変よく説明しています:
日本の学習者が気を付けないといけない他に発音が難しい領域は次の通り:
Certain vowel sounds (refer to International Phonetic Alphabet)
The difference between: Si and Shi.
‘Th’ sounds such as this and that, think and throw.
Consonant clusters such as through, crashed, ghost, three.
The key to a child successfully learning the correct sounds for phonics in English is the parent knowing them correctly themselves by checking online sources and of course allowing their child to be able to speak as much as possible with a native speaker.
Furthermore videos online are an excellent way to see, hear and try these phonics and increase practice time outside of the classroom. Some great videos that explain the IPA and phonics are as follows:
Si とShi の違い
This, That Think, Throw のようなTh の音
Through, Crashed, Ghost, Three のような子音連結
子どもが英語の正しい発音をきちんと学ぶために重要なことは、親御さんがオンラインの情報をチェックしたりして正しくわかっていることと、当然、ネイティブスピーカーと会話する機会をできるだけたくさん与えることです。
さらに、オンラインのビデオは発音を見て、聞いて、試すための素晴らしい方法で、クラス以外での練習の時間を増やすことができます。これらは、IPAと音声学の解説をしてくれる素晴らしいビデオです。
SiとShiの違い
Thの音はthis(ディス)やthat(ザット)、thin(スィン)とthrow(スロウ)の音のような発音です。
子音の類はthrough(スルー)、crashed(クラッシュド)やghost(ゴースト)やthree(スリー)のような発音です。
子供にとってうまく正しい英語の発音を学ぶカギは、両親がインターネット上でチェックして正確に知り、もちろんネイティブスピーカーのように出来るだけ喋らせることです。
そしてインターネットのビデオはこれらの発音を見て聞いて試すことが出来て、事業街での練習時間を増やす事が出来る最適な方法です。この素晴らしいビデオはIPAと発音を以下のように:説明します。
‘Spot the Dog’ – Eric Hill
This is a really popular book for young learners and is a personal favourite of my niece and nephew. They love interacting with the flaps and pop ups and they really connect with the main character. Because it is fun and engaging, the children engage with the language naturally and therefore are more likely to retain the information.
There are many books and I can’t recommend just one.
Key learning points are essential language points for children of all ages ( ‘Where’s Spot?’, ‘Can you find him?’, ‘What’s this?’.)
これは小さい学習者にとってとても人気の本で、個人的に私の甥と姪が一番好きな本です。彼らは折り込みや飛び出しで遊ぶのが大好きで、主人公に感情移入しています。これはとても楽しくて、夢中になれるので、子どもたちはその言語に自然に興味を持ち、そのため、情報をより記憶しやすいです。
たくさん本があって、一つだけをお勧めすることはできません。
重要が学習ポイントは、全年齢層の子どもたちにとって言語の不可欠なポイントです(「Spot はどこにいるのか?」「スポットを見つけられるか?」「これは何か?」)
これは若い学び人にとても人気の本で、私の甥や姪の個人的なお気に入りでもあります。彼らは本のカバーや飛び出すしかけを愛していて、主人公の気持ちになりきっています。この本は楽しくて没頭できるので、子供達は言葉に自然に没頭しているので、より情報が頭に残るのでしょう。
他にも多くの本があり、一つだけ勧めるのは難しいです。
学ぶカギとなるポイントは、全年齢の子供たちにとって基本的な言語であることです。(「スポットはどこ?」「彼を見つけれる?」「これはなあに?)
‘The Hungry Caterpillar’ – Eric Carle
This is a favorite for all children from all over the world. Some parents may have even read it to their child in the native language. This classic story is a must for
Key points to learn from this book are: fruits, animal references and general everyday language.
Bob Books Sets 1 ~ 5
I have not had any personal experience with these, but after researching online they seem to be extremely reputable after hearing from both those that have used them (parents and children) and also from professionals such as teachers.
After researching them I can see that they contain clear and concise language points and they are specifically geared to help children with building their reading skills.
I would recommend these once a child has a good understanding of phonics.