Since English has become a part of the curriculum of German elementary schools already, methods of teaching had and still have to be found to make the young pupils get into touch with the foreign language.
The method of teaching as well as the according educational aids should cause the desire of learning and working with the English language.
In the history of education teachers of foreign languages have never been so knowledgeable about what to do in the classroom, or have had so many advanced tools at their disposal to help their pupils learn. 1
But since the children in third grade are just about eight or nine years old when they get into touch with the English language for the first time, the teacher has to choose his subjects of instruction and his educational aids very carefully so his / her lessons make it possible for all the pupils to achieve a basic knowledge of the foreign language. According to the title of the seminar I visited (“Poems in the Language Classroom”), I am going to talk about literature and in detail poetry as one important tool concerning language teaching. Emphasizing this importancy, I am going to present the results of an English lesson at a forth grade of a German elementary school that I created about Julia Donaldson’s and Axel Scheffler’s book “The Gruffalo” (1999). [...]
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Definition
- Principles about literature in foreign language lessons
- The choice of different types of literature
- Literature in the English lessons of German elementary schools
- Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler "The Gruffalo" (1999)
- Text analysis
- Why to create a lesson on „The Gruffalo”
- Practical phase at a fourth grade of a German elementary school
- Reflection
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This seminar paper aims to explore the use of literature, particularly poetry, as an effective tool for teaching English in German elementary schools. The focus is on demonstrating the benefits of using children's literature, using Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's book "The Gruffalo" (1999) as a practical example. The paper analyzes the text, outlines reasons for choosing this particular book, and describes a lesson plan for a fourth-grade class.
- The importance of engaging and authentic materials in foreign language learning
- The use of literature to promote language acquisition and cultural understanding
- The suitability of children's literature for teaching English in elementary schools
- The benefits of incorporating diverse literary forms, including poetry, into the curriculum
- The significance of incorporating practical classroom applications to illustrate theoretical concepts.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction emphasizes the need for effective teaching methods and engaging resources to introduce English to young learners. It highlights the significance of literature in fostering language learning and creating a positive learning environment. The chapter then establishes the focus of the paper on poetry and presents the chosen case study: "The Gruffalo" by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
The "Definition" section delves into the principles behind using literature in foreign language classes. It emphasizes the value of authentic materials, the benefits of engaging with language intended for native speakers, and the potential for enriching language skills and fostering cultural understanding.
The chapter on "The choice of different types of literature" explores the criteria for selecting suitable literary texts for language learners. It stresses the importance of matching the chosen text with the learners' interests, cultural background, and language proficiency. This section also outlines the key components of working with literature in the classroom, including curriculum design, reading strategies, and stylistic analysis.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This seminar paper focuses on the key concepts of foreign language teaching, children's literature, poetry, text analysis, classroom application, and cultural understanding. It explores the use of authentic materials, specifically "The Gruffalo" by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, to demonstrate the benefits of incorporating literature in the English lessons of German elementary schools.
- Quote paper
- Stefanie Wagenbrenner (Author), 2005, Literature in the English lessons of German elementary schools - demonstrated at the example of Julia Donaldsons and Axel Schefflers book "The Gruffalo" (1999), Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/66895
