What can I expect for myself or my
child learning a second language?
How do we
learn a new language? Learning
a second language is very much the same process as learning
one's first
language.
Remember
how babies learn their first language. There is a long period
of listening without any ability to speak. Comprehension develops
during this "silent period" through exposure to the language.
Often children understand a great deal by the time they are only
1 year old, though they may have few or no words to express themselves.
Similarly, learning a second language
is initially a process of listening comprehension. While students
may be able to "parrot" back words that the hear, they typically
have not learned them well enough to use them after only a few
repetitions. Some studies show that a new word must be heard
and understood more than 50 times before it is acquired by the
learner in a way that they can use it effectively.
Therefore, it is expected that students
will have a silent period while learning a second language,
and this does not reflect if or how much they have learned.
After a silent period, new learners
will typically start using single words or short phrases in
context (in times and places that trigger the newly acquired
language).
In other words, they may be able to respond correctly while in
a language class, but not be able to describe or repeat
what they learned once outside of that class until they have
more
fully
established the language.
What should
I expect? Expect that a "silent
period" is a natural part of the process and that once students
ARE speaking, it will be single words or short phrases for
a long time thereafter. After a year or two (depending heavily
on how much language exposure the student gets), the student
will start to synthesize their own questions and answers in
the language. Every student progresses at his or her own rate.
Keep in mind that mosts students of a second language get between
1- 5 hours per week compared to a baby learning their first
language being exposed every waking hour of every day and it
still takes 1-2 years to start producing language. More exposure
= faster learning.
How does Puentes'
TPR Storytelling fit in? Puentes
elementary classes teach via a wonderful technique called TPR
Storytelling. The stories we work on in class are then sent
home in a storybook form. We help the children illustrate the
stories while in class so that they will better remember the
stories. We encourage students to share these stories with
their parents. Parents can read the
storybooks with their students and ask questions. Remember,
children may not be able to independently produce the correct
speech initially, however, if they understand the story, it
will reinforce their learning process.
How can parents
help? Parents
should encourage their students to continue in the language
and
know that
it IS work and IS a long-term process. Remember, it has lifetime
benefits, and learning during childhood is the easiest time.
Note their progress as time goes on and celebrate it.
Play games, find sites on the
internet that encourage language use,
sing songs, play favorite DVD's in the new language with
English subtitles, read children's books in the new language,
travel.
Helpful Links
Vamonos
How
long does it take to learn a second language?
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