At German elementary schools a development in teaching focus in the last years should actually have taken place: there has officially been a partly shift from traditional subjects, such as mathematics to modern languages, such as English or French. Fifteen years ago, however, foreign languages were rarely taught at German elementary schools, and if they were given room in the children’s timetable, they played only a subordinate part in it. On the contrary, foreign languages are included in the timetable today, but many schools decided to teach them integrated into the other subjects. Honestly speaking, this seems to be a really good solution, but during a work experience at a German elementary school, I discovered that none of the three or four teachers of one class feels responsible for carrying out the task. Talking to the responsible teachers, they admitted being aware of this deplorable situation but do not want to focus more on languages needing the time to teach the basics of the other subjects. I definitely cannot approve of this because there is an abundance of aspects why foreign language teaching should start at the latest at elementary school and should also be very intense to secure the best development of the child as possible, which can be proven by answering opposition, explaining the main reasons, naming the positive results, and giving examples.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Counterarguments and Refutations
- Negative Influence on Cognitive Abilities
- Demanding Level of Learning
- Reasons for Teaching Foreign Languages at Elementary School
- Critical Period
- Motivation
- Time and Obligations
- Results of Early Contact with a Foreign Language
- Higher Cognitive Flexibility
- Understanding of Other Cultures and Communication Skills
- Real-World Examples
- The Case of Genie
- Joseph Conrad
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The author advocates for the intensive teaching of foreign languages at German elementary schools. The main objective is to highlight the benefits of early language acquisition and challenge common objections to the practice. The text aims to convince readers that introducing foreign languages in elementary school is essential for a child's cognitive development and future success.
- The importance of early language acquisition
- The cognitive benefits of bilingualism
- The role of motivation in language learning
- The need for a change in educational policy
- The impact of early language exposure on a child's future
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The author argues that foreign language education in German elementary schools has become more prevalent but often lacks sufficient emphasis and dedicated teachers. The need for intensive language learning in early childhood is presented as a crucial aspect for children's development.
- Counterarguments and Refutations: The text addresses common objections to early language acquisition, including the potential negative impact on cognitive abilities and the argument that foreign languages are too demanding for young children. The author refutes these claims by presenting evidence and highlighting the importance of playful and engaging teaching methods.
- Reasons for Teaching Foreign Languages at Elementary School: Several reasons are given to support the claim that foreign language teaching should start at elementary school. These include the critical period for language acquisition, the high motivation levels of young children, and their relatively free schedules compared to teenagers and adults.
- Results of Early Contact with a Foreign Language: The author discusses the positive effects of early language exposure on cognitive flexibility, intercultural understanding, and future communication skills. Research findings supporting these claims are cited.
- Real-World Examples: The text presents real-life examples, such as the case of Genie, a girl deprived of language exposure in her early years, and Joseph Conrad, a Polish writer who learned English later in life. These examples illustrate the importance of early language acquisition for fluency and proficiency.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main keywords and focus topics of the text are early language acquisition, foreign language education, cognitive development, bilingualism, educational policy, critical period, motivation, and intercultural understanding.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2008, Foreign languages should be taught more intensively at German elementary schools, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1360401
