Holistic Approach To Language Learning For Kids

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A Comenius Project

The Education and Training 2010 work programme aims for each European citizen to master at least 2 foreign languages. Several European countries have adopted this aim as a national priority. Lots of language teachers still use the traditional grammatical approach rather than chunk learning (formulaic language) because of the security and controllability it provides, because of lack of authentic materials targeted to young learners and because of their own insufficient command of the target language.

By means of a holistic approach to language learning HOLA! aims at offering language teachers strategies adapted to young learners (max.12 y) taking into account language acquisition principles, supplemented with exemplary materials for French and English as well as a few examples for Dutch, Danish, Greek, Spanish, Italian and Turkish to give evidence for the potential of transfer. As it is targeted to young learners living in a rather closed environment, language and culture will be combined: as a matter of fact, language and expression of thoughts refer to the cultural reality they denote. The work strategy includes bottom-up and top-down strategies at the same time: from practice to theory and the other way around.

The four major outcomes resulting from this project will be a publication describing a holistic approach to language learning as well as some exemplary materials targeted to language teachers of primary education; materials and guidelines for adapting materials to the target audience; strategies for classroom management; a Comenius dissemination course for language teachers including the above as well as language improvement. The outcomes will be piloted and evaluated through local dissemination activities and will be made available from a website.

To meet these aims a complementary work group will be formed: schools, pre- and in-service training and institutions as well as advisory bodies join efforts and competences. The desired outcomes are happy, empathic and motivated children learning foreign languages and starting their language portfolio at a stage where windows of opportunity are still open. The early approach will contribute to anchoring language competence and positive attitudes towards people who share a different language and culture.