English as a Foreign Language for Pupils and Students
The teaching concept contains the following main stages:
1.Building the phonetic base of the English language
In this age group we build the basic literacy skills with our first or second graders with the phonetic programme Jolly Phonics. At this stage we develop the five basic literacy skills:
1.Learning the letter sounds;
2.Learning the letter formation;
3.Blending for reading;
4.Identifying the sounds in words;
5.Tricky words.
Jolly Phonics is an alternative, multisensory and a truly effective phonetic literacy programme. The programme characters Inky Mouse, Bee and Snake help children learn every letter sound together with a story, special movement and and a song. The aim is to remember the sound, not the letter name. The letter names are taught a bit later. The letter sounds are divided into seven different groups. The children start reading English words as soon as they learn the first six letter sounds. We use original teaching materials which include: pupils’ books, visuals, teaching cards and readers. Besides that we also use a number of authors materials, developed by our teachers who made them in the working process in order to overcome some particular hardships. Our aim at the end of this level is to see our pupils more independent, calm and confident to go ahead. We would like to stimulate them to love the language and get interested in the next stage.
2.Building the Basic Literacy
Once the phonetic base is built, we continue with the “Family and Friends” course book series. This series is a consistent and logical continuation of Jolly Phonics programme. As long as “Family and Friends” uses elements of the phonetic method it creates succession between the two programmes. Having the company of the course book characters children kids go through various every day situations. This way the little learners acquire significant amount of vocabulary and grammar structures. During this period children make their first projects, expand their general knowledge and grow intellectually and emotionally. By the end of this stage pupils become more independent and are happy with their new skills.
3.Upgrading and expanding
The older students between Year 5 and Year 7 follow Eyes Open course book series. The main focus points are: learning and practising the basic verb tenses and grammar stuctures, reading and listening comprehension, expanding the vocabulary, writing projects and stimulating the free expression of a personal opinion on the discussed topics. The final aim of this stage is that students are expected to be independent enough to use written and spoken English freely at a conversational level.