Introducing English as a foreign language has become widespread in pre-primary education in Europe, typified by initiatives involving specialist teachers of English visiting children for short periods of time a week. Collaboration between pre-primary practitioners and teachers of English is highlighted as relevant for the successful integration of such initiatives. In my talk, I will present information about early English initiatives in pre-primary education in Portugal. Then I will share data from a study that looked at the collaborative practices and approaches of pre-primary professionals and teachers of English. I will suggest that successful early English initiatives depend upon mutual trust and good communication between practitioner, together with a belief that the foreign language is worthwhile and the sharing of a common goal … the children’s wellbeing.
Period
27 Oct 2020
Event title
Donostia Lectures on Multilingualism and Education