Teaching english to very young learners

Abstract

This study presents a review of the literature concerning teaching English to very young learners as a second/foreign language (ESL/EFL) as how to teach English to VYL is a prevailing research subject in an ESL/EFL context. As Cameron (2001) states very young learners are exposed to only spoken language for a few years, it is of great significance to handle it meticulously. The paper first presents the characteristics of VYL and the role of age in language learning. Next, the paper reviews the studies on second/foreign language teaching to VYL, concluding that the earlier is the better in language education with the appropriate use of various methods and materials appeal to learners’ interests. While this paper emphasizes that very limited number of studies have been done, it reveals there is an urgent need for elaborate researches, especially in EFL context.