A1 Journal article (refereed)
The Early Bird Gets The Word Games and Play : Creating a Context For Authentic Language Learning (2022)
Meriläinen, M., & Piispanen, M. (2022). The Early Bird Gets The Word Games and Play : Creating a Context For Authentic Language Learning. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 14(4), 501-507. https://doi.org/10.26822/iejee.2022.259
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Meriläinen, Merja; Piispanen, Maarika
Journal or series: International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education
ISSN: 1307-9298
Publication year: 2022
Volume: 14
Issue number: 4
Pages range: 501-507
Publisher: Kura Publishing House
Publication country: United States
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26822/iejee.2022.259
Persistent website address: https://www.iejee.com/index.php/IEJEE/article/view/1736
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/80863
Abstract
Early foreign language teaching has recently been made compulsory in Finland, making this an area open to development and innovation where policy - makers and teachers play a significant role in creating new kinds of learning environments, operating cultures, and pedagogy for foreign language learning. This article discusses the early foreign language learning landscape in the context of early foreign language learning theory, initial education pedagogy as well as functional foreign language learning. The cornerstone of this study is the Contextual Pedagogical approach to Learning, which creates a bridge between the theory and practice of early foreign language learning, creating an inspiring and stimulating basis for later language learning. Language is a precondition for learning and thinking. Language is involved in all the activities presented in school and every teacher is a language teacher “(the Finnish National Board of Education 2014, 127). In this article we focus on this idea, presented in the core national curriculum. We attempt to explain the learning environments of language teaching, operational culture, and pedagogical solutions within the theoretical frame of reference of learning another language. The challenges of creating learning environments that support authentic learning experiences, have become still more demanding in today's rapidly changing world.
Keywords: elementary education; language teaching; foreign languages; language learning; learning environment; sociolinguistics; collaborative learning; functional methods; playing (children's games); curricula
Free keywords: Early Foreign Language Learning; Functional Language Learning; Contextual-Pedagogical Approach to Learning
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2022
JUFO rating: 1