英语学习策略

The Preschool Years________________________________________By the time children are 3 1/2 to 4 years of age, they have already acquired many important skills in language learning. They have a fairly large working vocabulary and an understanding of the function of words in referring to things and actions. They also have a command of basic conversational skills, such as talking about a variety of topics with different audiences. Nevertheless, language development, especially vocabulary growth and conversational skills, continues (Glover & Bruning, 1987). It is generally agreed that vocabulary learning is not accomplished through formal instruction. Instead, the meaning of new words is usually acquired when children interact with other more skilled language users during such natural situations as riding, eating, and playing (Beals & Tabors, 1995). From these activities, children are able to construct hypotheses when hearing unfamiliar verbal strings. They then test these hypotheses by further observation or by making up new sentences themselves. Finally, through feedback and further exposure, children revise and confirm their hypotheses (Bukatko & Daehler, 1995).The development of conversational skills also requires children's active interaction with other people. To communicate with others effectively, children need to learn how to negotiate, take turns, and make relevant as well as intelligible contributions (Schickedanz, Schickedanz, Forsyth, & Forsyth, 1998). Through interacting with other more experienced language users, children modify and elaborate their sentences in response to requests for more information (Peterson & McCabe, 1992). As children interact with their playmates, their conversations usually include a series of turn-taking dialogues (Glover & Bruning, 1987). In addition, young children learn to adjust their messages to their listeners' level of understanding (Shatz & Gelman, 1973).By the time children enter elementary school, their oral language is very similar to that of adults (Shaffer, 1999). They have acquired the basic syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic elements of their native language. Language development will continue, however, from early childhood through adolescence and into adulthood. ________________________________________Conclusion________________________________________In summary, language learning is both a social and a developmental process. To acquire a language,children must interact with other more competent language users as well as explore various aspects of the linguistic system. During the early years of language learning, children also create, test, and revise their hypotheses regarding the use of language. Parents and early childhood educators should provide these young learners with developmentally appropriate language activities, offer opportunities for them to experiment with different aspects of language learning, and honor their creativity.Yes，Someone who is blind, deaf and dumb would not have any concept of what language is but these people can certainly think so you have to wonder what types of thoughts are runnnig through their head if they have never heard someone speak, have never read, and have not been able to vocalize their own thoughts. I think language is a means of communicating our thoughts but is not necessarily key to thinking.In sign languageQ1 How might biology and enviroment combine to affect the physical growth of a child adopted as an infant from a developing country and taken to a more industrialized country to live?A1 In my opinion, biology refers to his physical feaures dominated by the genes gained from his parents while enviroment refers to all the things from outside world that may influence him like materials, economy, culture, family and so on.Physical growth includes appearance, health, brain growth et.c.As for appearance, it is definitely decided by genes; however, custom and modern technique would also influence it to some extent. Most children from developing country are with dark skin, if they are brought to industrializedcoutry and often use sunshade and sunscreen instead of being exposed to the sunshine, they would not be as dark as they live in their hometown. Their eyes, noses and faces can also be changed through operation.Health is decided not only by genes but also by environment. For instance, one’s height is could be influenced by genes, the standard of living and culture. Poor families are worring about whether they have enough food to eat while rich ones have much more choices of any nutritious and delicious food Government of industrialized coutry could provide statium and sports equipment for civilians, which could also promote their health. A child with congenital disease in developing country might die at early age, while he maylive a longer time or even recover from the disease through advanced treatment in developed country.As we know, children’s brain grows fast at preschool years. During that period, most parents in developing country may be too busy with making a living to help develop their children’s brain. In industrialized country, there are some experts who focus on studying preschool education. Parents there may pay more attention to train their children to develop their speaking, reading, thinking, reasoning ability and movement coordination, which could help the two hemispheres act in tandem successfully.Q2 In your opinion, how do thought and lauguage interact in preschoolers’development? Is it possible to think without lauguage ? How do children who have been deaf from birth think?A2 In my opinion, thought and language are interdependent in preschoolers’ development During the preschool time, children’s brain are just developing, the nerve fibers that connected the two hemispheres are not fully developed and could not function well. A child without systematic language could also form his own thought. He may express his willing by making some gestures, throw toys to arouse other’s attention and so on.Q3 If children’s congnitive development is dependent on interaction with others, what obligation does the broader society have regarding such social settings as preschools, schools, and neighborhoods?A3 In their preschool years, children’s brains are developing rapidly. At that time, they are almost wholy influenced by their families. Parents should keep in mind that children learn by doing. They have the obligation to help their children to develop their cognitive ability successfully. For example, when children are thorowing something again and again, parents should be patient and not be angry because their children are learning by doing tests and observations.In thire school years, a teacher would have great influences on children. One one hand, a teacher have the obligation to teach his students not only knowledge but also the principles of being a person. A teacher should tell them the possitive side of the society to help them understand what is loyalty, honesty, kindness and love. At the same time, there’s no need to avoild talking about evils when students are confused. In a word, a teacher shouldshow the world to his students objectively and offer an oppotunity for them to think and make choices themselves. One the other hand, a responsible teacher should be impartial and never criticize his students violently, he should often encourage his students with smile so the children will believe love from the bottom of their hearts.Anybody belongs to the society, therefore the every social member have the obligation to build a healthy enviroment for children. Neighborhoods should avoild using rude words, quarrel or fight each other esecially in front of children. Bussinessmen should avoild violence, impolite words in cartoon stories, films and ads of junkfood,voilent games for children.。