Reflection Paper-3

Elis A. SARACH
1528439

FLE 352 COMMUNTY SERVICE
REFLECTION PAPER-III

The last two weeks of my experience with young learners was extremely extraordinary. They taught me to teach to communicate and to understand them. First of all, in the light of my observations I have noticed that young learners learn very fast as long as provided with the right material, right teaching methods and repetitions. I was very surprised to see that students can answer all the questions and make a full and understandable sentence. Their English teachers was showing them flashcards and they were able to know the Turkish equaling word for them easily. Then they with a game which was testing the students comprehension. They were so good at the game and they were really enjoying themselves.
Secondly, the students were repeating all the movements as well as words. When their teacher was going to teach them a new vocabulary he was using his hands, mouth, gestures and his body. Then he was creating a meaningful and enjoyable context so that children can get the idea and remember the word(s). The students were doing all the movements together and they were trying to repeat the word even when they cannot pronounce it correctly. I think this was the gist of teaching young learners. You need to create something interesting and use TPR in order to allow students to use their energy and learn through experience.
Finally, I have observed that although their cognitive abilities are at the top the students were having trouble with repeating the dancing movements. It was very hard for them to perform a dance no matter with a partner or alone. However, teachers found a solution to this problem. They were doing all the things again and again with the help of their teachers.
All in all I loved being there and play with children. We were like friends all the time and was very happy every Friday from 8am. To 12pm. Although I did not teach them anything but a song it was an unforgettable experience for me.