Language learning through communicative practice

Abstract

The purpose of this textbook is to create a fun, communicative English textbook for Korean elementary school students. As an English teacher, I have found that even though public school English text books are well designed and take a communicative approach, there are shortcomings. First, English is presented in an unnatural way. Listening texts are too slow and far from authentic English. Second, target vocabulary and sentences are often too easy for the students which do not challenge them. The target students are 5th graders at a public elementary school in Korea. The class will consist of 25 boys and girls. Their English level is A1 to A2 according to the CEF. Students will attend three 40 minute English classes every week after school and complete homework assignments. Some of the students have been learning English for a couple of years in an English academy. However, they still have difficulty in speaking English. There are several reasons for this problem, such as lack of practice, feeling shy and nervous and having limited vocabulary. Having poor listening skills and lacking confidence in speaking are big obstacles for most of the students. The aim of this book is to make up for these shortcomings and to improve their communication skills. The textbook will give students many opportunities to communicate among themselves through pair or group work based on the Communicative approach. For accuracy, grammar practice is also included. Particularly, movie clips are used in a way to enhance authentic English by stimulating the students’ interest.