Teaching Conversation Based Culture Lessons to Young Learners

Teacher Elexis
Sep 30, 2024
7 min read

Updated: Sep 2

Introduction

Often times, language learning is treated as a rote subject--being taught similarly to history-- memorize and regurgitate, memorize and regurgitate, memorize and regurgitate. This can be an effective method of study if the goal of the learner is to pass a test, gain trivia knowledge or improve their scrabble game. However, if the goal of the learner is to speak the target language with others with fluency and confidence, rote memorization of vocabulary and grammar rules may not be the best method of language learning.

With every language, there are so many exceptions to grammar rules, idioms and dialect specific vocabulary terms, that memorization alone will not produce fruitful results when it comes to real-world conversations.

Take a moment and think back to when you were a baby, a time when your mother tongue was foreign to you. How did you learn to speak? Someone took time to talk to you using their mother tongue. And what happened when holidays rolled around? You learned new vocabulary words! “Mardi Gras beads”, “moonpies”, “throw me something, mister” are words and phrases more commonly used from January-March in my hometown. From September-November the vocabulary and conversations change to “pumpkin spice”, “camping weather”, and “are ya’ ready for some football?”

Culture dictates a language, and spoken language is meant to be…well…spoken. Conversation based courses will strengthen young learners listening and speaking muscles and give them the confidence needed to participate in conversations with their peers. Understanding the culture will add another layer of confidence and inclusion. Keep reading for tips on incorporating culture based lessons in your English (or another language) conversation courses.

Understanding Young Learners

Have you noticed that young learners seem to pick up their second language at a much greater speed and with less effort than adult learners? There are a few reasons for that, but in this article we will focus on the Second Language Acquisition theory developed by linguist Stephen Krashen to explain.

The Second Language Acquisition (SLA) theory says that while young learners are acquiring a language by adding meaningful vocabulary as it becomes relevant, adult learners are learning a language by rote memorization that they later have to find applications for. While young learners incorporate language learning into their daily lives, often times busier adults treat it more as studying for a test with few opportunities for real world application.

The SLA theory also says that the way these young learners acquire language is by holding conversations where they understand most of the vocabulary, plus a little more that is unknown to them. This is visualized as i +1, where i is the vocabulary that they know and the number is the unknown vocabulary (Pearson Higher Ed. Languages and Children, chapter 1, pg.2)

For example, my son knows who his dad or “dada” is, and he also knows what sunglasses are.

If I tell my son, “give dada sunglasses”…

i (the known vocabulary)= dada, sunglasses

1 (the unknown vocabulady) = give

In this example, my son is organically given the opportunity to acquire the new vocabulary word “give”.

Acquiring language in this way allows learners to create meaningful relationships with the vocabulary and gives them a chance to develop listening and deduction skills.

To make this everyday-interaction turned learning-experience more impactful for the learner, include TPR such as holding your empty palm forward and closing and opening your hand to signal “give”.

A less effective acquisition technique would be to expose the learner to i + 15 or i +20 interactions.

This should not discourage you from turning on tv shows or music with the target language out of fear that the learner may be ingesting too much information. There should be a balance between intentional language learning time where i + 1 is implemented, and exposure to the target language in an immersion environment.

As it pertains to second language acquisition, the more you can incorporate i +1 interactions with the learner in organic daily situations, the better they will retrain the unknown vocabulary and learn how to use it properly.

Young learners are also naturally courageous and not afraid to make mistakes when acquiring language. You never see a toddler get embarrassed because they say “sowwy” instead of “sorry”. My toddler says “more all done please” when he wants to get out of his high chair, and he says it loud and proud! This natural courage to experiment with language makes conversation based lessons incredibly valuable for young learners.

To maintain their piqued interest in conversation based courses, creating engaging and interactive lessons is crucial. Developing an environment where your learners will want to participate can seem daunting, but incorporating cultural elements can make this goal a fun and memorable experience for everyone in the classroom (virtual, in-person or at home).

Incorporating Cultural Elements

Incorporating culture into language lessons for young learners can greatly enhance their understanding and appreciation of the target language. Here is a list of some ways you can incorporate Cultural Elements into language learning lessons or everyday-interactions turned learning-experiences:

1. **Storytelling** Utilize folk tales and stories from cultures where the language is spoken. This introduces students to vocabulary and cultural values in a contextual setting.

2. **Music and Songs** Introduce songs and traditional music in the target language from various cultures that speak that language. This engages learners and helps with pronunciation and rhythm in the target language.

3. **Cultural Artifacts** Use images, videos, or physical artifacts related to the culture. Discuss their significance and relevance to the language, helping students make connections.

4. **Festivals and Celebrations** Teach about cultural festivals and holidays, discussing their meaning and customs. Encourage students to participate in related activities, like crafts or cooking, to create a hands-on experience.

5. **Games and Role-Playing** Incorporate games or role-playing scenarios that reflect cultural practices or daily life. This promotes interaction and practical use of the language in cultural contexts.

6. **Cultural Comparison** Encourage discussions comparing aspects of their culture with those of the target language. This fosters critical thinking and a deeper understanding of cultural diversity.

7. **Guest Speakers or Virtual Exchanges** Invite speakers from the culture or organize virtual exchanges with students from other countries. This personal connection enriches the learning experience and provides real context.

Integrating these elements helps to immerse young learners in the language and makes learning more enjoyable and meaningful.

Using cultural activities to promote language acquisition is appropriate for any skill level of young learner. There are however factors that will affect the learning outcome and should be considered when crafting differentiated curriculum. Some things to consider are if the young learner is taking an individual class with a teacher, a group class, learning from a loved one at home, their age, personality and willingness to speak. These are just some aspects to take into consideration when personalizing learning plans.

Tools and Resources

Having the right tools for the job makes all the difference. Here are some tools that can help parents and teachers guide their young language learners through conversation and culture lessons.

1.**Littles Learning Languages Culture Conversation Guides** These free resources can help guide parents and teachers through conversation based culture lessons. There are conversation prompts and activities appropriate for one learner or for classes of multiple learners.

2. **KoalaGo**If you are an online teacher or if you have a young language learning friend or family member living abroad, KoalaGo is a tool you should be using!

Think of KoalaGo as a mix between zoom and a digital classroom. You can share your screen, draw on a whiteboard or “play” in the “playground”. KoalaGo makes guiding learners abroad through conversation based culture classes fun and simple.

Along with these teaching guides and resources, here are some online resources to learn about other cultures:

1. **National Geographic Kids** Discover articles, videos, and activities focused on various cultures, geography, and traditions from around the world.

2. **BBC Bitesize** Offers engaging content about world cultures, including quizzes and videos tailored for children.

3. **Kids Discover** Provides in-depth articles and interactive resources about different nations, customs, and historical aspects.

4. **Culture Grams** A comprehensive resource that provides detailed reports on countries, including cultural information, traditions, and lifestyles. (Note: Access may require a library membership.)

5. **Mystery Skype** An engaging program that connects classrooms across the globe, allowing students to learn about each other's cultures through interactive Q&A sessions.

6. **Global Learning Foundation** Features resources and activities designed to help children understand diverse cultures and global issues.

7. **Scholastic: Global Citizenship** Resources and articles aimed at teaching kids about world cultures and the importance of global awareness. Feel free to explore these resources for fun and educational insights into cultures around the world!

Assessing Progress

Language learning is a journey, and often times, not a linear path for everyone. It is imperative to regularly asses young learners’ progress. This is not only necessary to see what the learner has retained and understood, but also to review the effectiveness of an adopted teaching approach or method.

Key indicators of improvement that I look for in my young language learners (my child and my students) are the following:

Excitement/happiness instead of timidness
Increased usage of target language
Improved confidence
The learner asks more questions
The learner engages with fellow classmates in the target language

Conclusion

Teaching conversational based classes with a focus on culture is an effective method of teaching a second language to young learners. Getting them used to hearing and using the target language in context at a young age is ideal for helping that young learner acquire the language naturally through the principles of Second Language Acquisition (as described by linguist Stephen Krashen).

The young learners’ natural curiosity and courage to practice new vocabulary makes conversation based courses fun and engaging. Conversations on culture are interesting, informative and expand the learners understanding of the world around them.

There are several print and digital resources available to help you guide your young learner in culture based conversations.

Log into your members account (or click here to sign up for a free account) to access the Big Bag Language Learning Center Culture Conversation Guides folder.

You can save a copy and download to print.

Skip to the Tools and Resources section to view the other links!

One last note I would like to add!

“Parents are our first teachers, learning begins at home”. -Constance C. Stallworth, my Mom

I would like to encourage all parents to embrace your role as your little one’s most influential educator. Take joy in watching them achieve milestones. Your involvement in them becoming happy, productive members of society with knowledge of the world around them can ensure they are set up for a limitless future.

Create a free account to add your comments and join a community of teachers and parents who want to help their young learners expand their world through language learning.

We would love to have you!

-Teacher Elexis

Let’s take a poll! What is the best age to start L2 immersion or conversation classes? Let’s talk about why in the comments