Task 4

 PART A: Theory.

After reading chapter 4, Learning Words in Cameron, L. 2001.Teaching Languages to Children. Cambridge: CUP. 

1. Summarize how to extend children’s vocabulary beyond the textbook and children’s vocabulary learning strategies. 

For the resolution of the 4th task we chose the 3rd unit of the textbook “Follow your trail 2” by Santillana ideal for pupils between the ages of 9 and 11 years old. 

a) The thematic unit is based on healthy eating. This includes food and drinks, meals and nutrition all embedded within the expression of preferences (likes and dislikes) and healthy eating habits (routines).

b) There are taught items of vocabulary: food and drinks, meals and nutrition.

c) In a first instance, food and drinks are presented according to the food pyramid classification, after that a list with tips to achieve good eating habits together with meals. In the next page it is presented in context, as discourse towards a dialogue. After that it appears embedded in grammar, in reading comprehension activities, mixed with comparative forms and preferences both written and oral. In the end, at the performative stage vocabulary is presented so that pupils can put into words grammas and vocabulary seen in the unit 3 + previous knowledge, whereas in the last activities, writing formats recognition and personal productions are focalised since those pages actually try to raise awareness about what we know as CLIL and CSE.

d) Pupils will be able to activate their knowledge as regards advertisements, healthy eating awareness and personal habits.

e) This vocabulary would contextually be used to express habits/routines, preferences, healthy eating, to go to the supermarket among others both in written and spoken language.

f) The strategies promoted for learning the vocabulary are the use of picture grams to easily find the meaning, the contextualisation, the use of listening strategies in order to differentiate between written and oral language, reading comprehension exercises and collaborative speaking tasks to improve confidence, tolerance with the rest of the class and to develop fluency.

g) Since young learners reach knowledge through repetition, there are lot of exercises with regard to listening, reading, writing and speaking.