PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

Early childhood is the ideal time to expose children to a foreign language. At birth babies are able to create the sounds of any language. As we grow this ability is shaped by the language we hear early in life. Young children have a strong aptitude to absorb and mimic different sounds. The earlier a child is exposed to a foreign language the more likely he or she will be able to acquire a native or near native like accent. 

The My Little Linguist program focuses on meaningful language input. Our curriculum incorporates engaging activities with language learning. We believe that early exposure to a foreign language will open up a world of potential in your child.

PHILOSOPHY OF INSTRUCTION

 Language acquisition is attained through meaningful input, we constantly absorb it in the world around us.  In the process of learning a new language the input must be comprehensible but at a level just above our current ability in order to challenge us and acquire new grammar and vocabulary.

It takes time to absorb new language and therefore we are not immediately able to reproduce the sounds and structures we are learning.  Your children can understand complex verbal structures in their first language but their speech may be much more simplistic.  Even as babies, they are able to understand and communicate yet are unable to speak.  This is called the silent period, when we are processing the linguistic input around us but are not yet able to produce the language. 

TOTAL PHYSICAL RESPONSE (TPR) STORYTELLING

Total Physical Response (TPR) was developed as a method of teaching that allows students to respond to linguistic input through physical movement.  In 1990 Spanish teacher Blaine Ray expanded upon TPR by using the method to tell stories.  Ray used physical actions to allow students to demonstrate understanding of the language and to physically engage them in language learning.

Authentic Children’s Stories

Using authentic children’s stories allows our teachers to introduce more complex structures and vocabulary in a way that is engaging to young learners.  Using texts from the countries of origin authentically incorporates culture into our classes.

Songs and games

It is no secret that children learn best through play and music.  Our classes engage children through song and games in the target language to keep learning playful and authentic.