Developing Self-Access Materials for Young Learners

 

Agnes Santi Widiati
Veronica Aniek Setiawaty

 

One of the principles for teaching English to young learners is the active participation of the children in the learning process. Young learners should be seen not as vessels waiting to be filled but as explorers actively working on language and ideas. As the future users of English, they will later on use English independently. Therefore, it is important to support the growing independence of the children. Self-access materials will give a chance for young learners to explore the use of English; and thus, will elicit the active participation of the children. Various kinds of game-like self-access materials are appropriate for young learners. The materials which are sequenced based on the level of the children will create supportive, non-threatening, enjoyable environment, so that, they will grow their own independence. This paper will elaborate the development of the self-access materials which are appropriate for young learners.

 

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Widiati, A. S., & Setiawaty, V. A. (2004, February). Developing slef-access materials for young learners. Paper presented at the national conference on Teaching English to Young Learners: Why and How, Bandung, Indonesia.

 

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