The definitive textbook for Teaching Foreign Languages in the Primary School shows that language teaching can be both highly effective and immediately enjoyable. The book uses numerous ideas and approaches that are reinforced with activities, methods for developing understanding, assessment techniques, and how to ensure continuity and transition into secondary school. This is the textbook that all primary school language teachers should not be without. Teaching Foreign Languages in the Primary School advises modern foreign language trainee and qualified teachers on how to teach MFL successfully at primary level. This book offers full information, including sections on: children's ideas about how to learn languages; the current situation of MFL in the UK, Europe and elsewhere; research into second language acquisition (e.g. behaviourist, cognitive and sociocultural perspectives); different approaches to teaching foreign languages (e.g. audio lingualism, communicative language teaching, task-based instruction) the use of games, songs and stories; ways of developing speaking, listening, reading and writing skills; ways of developing intercultural understanding, knowledge about language and language learning strategies; and, assessment, continuity with secondary school, and ways of facilitating transition. Brimming with case studies and tried and tested ideas from a multi lingual language teacher and ITE lecturer, Teaching Foreign Languages in the Primary School shows that language teaching at primary level can be both effective and enjoyable - no matter what language the pupils have as their first, and no matter what level the teacher has reached in their own language learning.

By:   Claudine Kirsch
Imprint:   Continuum
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 13mm,  Width: 246mm,  Spine: 189mm
Weight:   476g
ISBN:  

9780826489494

ISBN 10:   0826489494
Pages:   224
Publication Date:   August 2008
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In stock at Language Book Centre
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1. Teaching foreign languages in the primary school: an overview; 2. Case studies of two successful schools; 3. Theories of Second Language Acquisition; 4. Approaches to language teaching; 5. What children say about learning foreign languages; 6. Introducing children to foreign languages; 7. Developing children's listening and speaking skills; 8. Developing children's reading and writing skills; 9. Developing knowledge about language; 10. Developing intercultural competence; 11. Developing language learning strategies; 12. Assessment and transition to secondary school.

Dr Claudine Kirsch is lecturer and MFL coordinator in the Department of Educational Studies, Goldsmiths, University of London.

This book fills a significant gap in the literature on early language learning and will appeal to all those with an interest in the field, including practitioners, trainee teachers, advisers and postgraduate research students. It paints a picture of early language learning on a broad canvas, drawing on research data from secondary sources as well as from the author's own studies. The practical focus of the book is underpinned by a sound understanding of the theories behind second language acquisition and pedagogy, and it is this combination which renders it invaluable, and fascinating, reading. - Dr. Amanda Barton, University of Manchester, UK

Mention --Book News, November 2008

Mention Book News, November 2008