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Silent period
When babies learn their heme language, there is a 'silent pericd', when they look and listen and cornmunicate
through facial expressiou or gestures before they begin to speak. When young children learn English, thcre may be a
similar 'silent period' when cornmunication and understanding may takc place befo re they actually speak any English
words.
During this time parents should not force children to take part in spoken dialogue by makng thern repeat words.
Spoken dialogues should be one-sided, the adult's talk providing useful opportunties
language. Where tb.e adult uses pareutese (an adjusted form of speech) to facilitate leaming, the child rnay use many
of the same strategies thcy used in Iearning their home language.
Beginning to talk
After so me time, depending on the frequency ofEnglish
begins to say single words ('cat', 'house')
'Thar's a car", 'Time to go home') in dialogues or as unexpected statements. TIle chi.1dhas memorised thern, imitating
fue pronwlciatiol1 exactly without realising that some rnay consist of more than one word. This stage continues for
sorne time as they child picks up more language using it as a short cut to dialogue before tbey are ready to create their
own phrases.
my chair', 'Time to play'). Depending on tbe frequency of exposure to English and tbe quaJity of
Understanding
Understanding
underestimated,
is always greater tban speakiug and young children's ability to corn.prehend should not be
as they are used to understanding their home language
frOID
may not wlderstalld everything they hear in their home language, children grasp the gist - that is they understand a
few important words and decipher the rest using different cIues to interpret tbe meaning. Wtb encouragement
soon transfer their 'gist' understanding
tbey
Frustration
After the initial novelty oI English sessions, SOIne)'oung children become frustrated by their inability to express tbeir
thoughts in English. Others want to speak quickly in English as they can in their home language. Frustratiou can ofien
be overcome by providing children witb 'performance'
rhymes, which consist ofready-made
phrases.
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