Teaching English to Children: Jeopardizing Students' Psychological Needs?

 

 

Anita Kurniawati Hadiyanto

 

 

More Indonesian people believe that children are better language learners than adults are. The growth of pre-schools in Indonesia which include English in their curriculum or even use English as a medium of instruction is one of the proofs. Viewing from children pedagogical needs, we can assume that they do need to learn English. The fact that English is Lingua Franca somehow has an effect toward educational field. Students may need to read English textbooks, or Goggle information in the Internet for their paper. In addition to that, the work field demands them to be able to speak the language. However, several questions are then raised. If exposing English to youngsters is a good idea for them to cope with pedagogical needs, how about their psychological needs? Have we considered this need as well? Lest, these pedagogical needs jeopardize their psychological needs. Through this paper, I would suggest that appropriate methods in teaching English to children could bring a benefit for both needs. In one hand, children can cope with their future pedagogical needs. On the other hand, their psychological needs can be fulfilled.

 

------- ---- -------

 

 

Hadiyanto, A. K. (2005, March). Teaching English to Children: Jeopardizing students’ psychological needs?. Paper presented at LIA International Conference, Jakarta.

 

Website: www.geocities.com/eltindonesia

Email: eltindonesia@yahoo.com