Teach English in Xian KAifAqu - Yancheng Shi

Learning a language is never a easy job. When we are learning a language, we usually start by listening, then speaking. When we are able to read, we will also start reading, then writing. All skills are important for language learning. For early childhood, teachers and parents always read storybooks to the kids. Children storybooks are usually using simple languages and colorful pictures, during reading, kids find the connections in between the words and the pictures. Pictures are always attractive to children, they show children what the story is about, and tell children what is the meaning of the words that are using. Pictures and words build up a story, story not only making fun, but also teaching readers something. It may be about “helping mom to do housework”, or “how to protect yourself”. You may find that, when you tell children not to do something (or they have to do something), they may not listen. It may because it is not attractive, or even they had listened what you had told them, they forgot it easily. However, if you are telling the kids a story, they have a higher chance to listen to you! And, interestingly you will find that they can memorize the story, sometime they can even tell you all the details in that story! Why a story make things different? Because it is a story, it is fun, it is thing that children love. Some of the stories are real while some are not. No matter if they are real or not, they allow children to explore their world and expand their imagination. If you are teaching young children English, story telling is always helpful. It can draw children attention easily. Many experts encourage teachers and parents read the story together with the kids. One of the reason is reading leads the kids to go through the story part by part. Children look at the pictures, read the words, they fall into the story like they are one of the characters. All these components joint and build up a strong memory in the children’s mind. It helps children learn the story and the language that are using. Children love stories, when they find a story fascinating, they would love to listen it as many times as they can. When they find that nobody can read them that story, then they are willing to try to read that book by themselves. In this process, children are learning the language. At the same time, they are building their interest about that language. Interest is always the best motivation for someone to learn a language (or other knowledge). It is much better than learning by pressure. When someone is interested in something, he/she will try to learn more about that thing on his/her own initiative. No matter children learn the story from a book, from a cartoon, or just told by someone, it is a start of learning and a start of building their own interest. When the kids learn the story from TV, they are practicing their listening skills. When the kids learn the story from a book, they are practicing their reading skills. When the kids try to retell a story to someone, they are practicing their speaking skills, summarizing skills, and improving their confidence. When the kids try to make up their own story, they are using their imagination and creativity, as well as practicing their speaking and writing skills. In conclusion, stories are important for early childhood. No matter for English learning or other knowledge learning. It is always a beginning for a kid to explore. Some stories teach children things that around them, some stories expand children’s imagination. In another word, stories help children establish a good learning attitude and stimulate children’s cognition and cogitation. Which allow children to learn more in the future!