Methodology

The methodology is based on real communication situations suited to the interests, experience and social and intellectual development of each age-group. It is also aimed at encouraging children to use language for their own purposes.

The methodology includes strategies for re-introducing words and phrases through new and different activities as the child develops. Phrases introduced in a rhyme, song or story at an early age will be used again in a role play situation, a game or a song at a later stage. As confidence grows, a child may be asked to search in his/her memory for words and phrases which will meet the needs of a new situation.

The method can be used in virtually any classroom situation. It is used successfully both with small groups of children sitting on the floor or around a table and with the more formal setting of twenty/thirty pupils facing the teacher. The flexibility of the method allows the teacher to choose the most appropriate approach.

The children learn orally first. The emphasis is on songs, role play and learning to communicate. Indeed, children having completed the course have a sound knowledge of basic vocabulary and phrases which gives them a good grounding for future language learning.

Reading and writing are postponed until confident oral activities have been performed and are established. Both activities are seen as a reinforcement of listening and speaking skills.

Faithful to the spirit of the method, reading and writing activities remain within a child’s capability and are seen by the children as a game.

Children are kept ‘busy’ and actively involved throughout each lesson. Young children are physically involved, pointing, holding, organizing flash cards, pretending, playing with the teacher, all in a stress-free atmosphere.

The aim is for each child to enjoy producing his/her own work. Children are encouraged to ‘think for themselves’, to search for clues, to imagine and make up their own plays and to get involved with the stories or the activities introduced throughout the course.