Cultivating children’s English ears. Thoughts after reading

On a scorching summer day, your daughter rushes to you and says: It’s boiling hot out there. Boiling? If you have studied English for more than 30 years, you will definitely be shocked! It’s hot! Even if you pass the eighth level of professional qualifications, even if you have a Ph.D.? You may use very to describe it at most, without even thinking that there are other words that can be used.

Starting with this preface also shocked me! To be honest, when it comes to educating young children in English, what I fear most is not that the pronunciation standards are not standard, but whether they can speak in authentic English like this. So, while I was excited, I also had the desire to continue reading. "Cultivating Children's English Ears" is Wang Peijue's second parenting book after "Children Who Grew Up by Feeding Storybooks". I didn’t read the first one, because in today’s era of information explosion, parenting books are everywhere. There is no question of missing a book that will delay your child’s education. Books with vertical layout will waste a lot of my time, so I don’t have the patience. Go and see.

However, after reading "Cultivating Children's English Ear", I still have a lot of feelings. The book basically answers the confusion of parents who learn English in a test-oriented mode about how to enlighten their children in English. At the end of the book, there is also a special list of important Q&A to explain the author's propositions and opinions. Here are just a few paragraphs that I personally like!

1. How to read English books to children?

Parents have many concerns about reading English books to their children, such as whether the pronunciation is not standard, and whether the children can understand it? For example, is it a translation of one sentence in Chinese and one sentence in English, or do you need to add a lot of Chinese explanations to help the children understand? What preparations should be done before reading. .. ..the author’s opinions and suggestions can be found in the article. More importantly, the author reminds everyone: when educating children, don’t just think about how to be like others, but first help them set the “right direction.” As for when the goal will be reached, it may just be a matter of living earlier and living later.

2. Children listen to stories instead of English

"English ears" is the goal, but the motivation and interest to achieve the goal have nothing to do with English. What really arouses children's motivation and interest in listening to English storybooks is the story, not the English.

The author listed several short stories to tell us that in many cases, the ending of children's stories is not important at all, what is important is the wisdom of life in the middle. For example, “Lucky bats won’t do it. Lucky helmets won’t do it. Only hard work will do it.” (Lucky sticks are useless, lucky hats are useless, only hard work is useful). It doesn’t matter whether your children have learned English or not, as long as they listen to this sentence in their hearts, they will use it throughout their lives.

3. Listening, speaking, reading and writing, please follow the order

One listening, two speaking, three reading and four writing is the order of anthropology’s mother tongue, and it is also the natural law of language learning. Allowing children to quickly recognize, read, and even write can appease some parents who are "worried about their children's future competitiveness." It is also the most powerful evidence for educational institutions to show their results to parents. However, step-by-step is the correct direction of education and the most natural way to help children maintain their interest in learning. Although reading English storybooks to children and letting them listen to English stories may not see concrete results for a while, or even within two or three years, "listening" is a very important basic tool for language learning, and children have not yet seen it. When walking steadily, I want him to run away. Sometimes, it is tiring the parents and suffering the children, and the gain is not worth the loss.

4. The author’s private book list

Why do the books in the first few stages of the book list not have a large proportion of picture books by famous artists, but more books designed for foreign primary school students? This is the natural result of the author slowly exploring it after buying the book. Since these readers are planned and sorted according to the children's level, regardless of the difficulty of the content and word usage, they are all step-by-step. This is the most secure place for parents who want to use storybooks to help their children learn English. choice. Children's picture books are different. The difficulty of words and sentences is often high and low, jumping up and down, which is difficult to control.

The books on the book list are all original English versions. For example, the series "An I Can Read Book" can be found on Amazon and Taobao, so I made a special note of it to consider whether I can read it in the future. I'll buy a few copies and come back to check them out.

5. Why should we learn English?

English is an international language. Learning it is to use it as a communication tool. So what should we communicate with?

(1) People: So we need to be able to “listen” and “speak”

(2) Books, that is, information: So we need to be “able to read” The ability to write"

Our first generation's English education failed in the first item, but what about the second item? Was it successful? How many students who score high in the English test will take the initiative to read English books later? Just like there are so many children learning piano, how many of them will continue to play piano as a lifelong interest? Is the purpose of our descendants learning English still to prepare for exams?

Generally speaking, even if you don’t agree with the parenting views in this book and the author’s summary of the experience of young children learning English, at least the author has listed a large list of original English books, and these are Worth collecting.

Attachment: The author’s private reading list↓↓↓

An I Can Read Book

A series of readers published by Harper Collins. Such a title will appear above the cover of each book. It is actually a reading book designed abroad for children of different ages, divided into different stages according to the level. Here I only list the collections that I like and have read to my children over and over again. The stories are wonderful and should not be missed. Some are very suitable for primary school students and even middle school students with basic English listening, because the stories are interesting and the themes are diverse enough to attract children. The version with audio tape is a good helper for children to get used to listening to English.

The first stage (0-2 years old)

Book header An I can read book (level 1), pages 32-64, 1-3 sentences per page, each The average sentence is 6 or 7 words.

1. Happy birthday, Danny and the dinosaur* sharing, friendship

2. Danny and the dinosaur* adventure, friendship

3. Danny and the dinosaur go to camp* group life, humor

4. The lighthouse children care, friendship

5. Who will be my friends make friends

6. Captain cat Friendship, humor

7. Stanley has the courage to change, love

8. Grizzwold works hard, takes risks, and is environmentally friendly

9. Chester is not discouraged in the pursuit of ideals

　10. Mine's the best Show off mentality, friendship

11. Oliver's pursuit

12. Sammy the seal* Adventure, pursuit of ideals

Publisher penguin The series of readers published by group has 24 pages and is easy to understand. Although there are cut-out vocabulary cards at the back of the book, I haven't actually used them, I just read them for fun.

1. Don't wake the baby care, love, brotherhood

2. Benny's big bubble adventure, the work of the famous writer Tomie de Paola

3. Silly Willy love, humor

4. The big snowball humor

5. Otto the cat friendship, care

6. The little engine that could helps out the courage to try again

7. Lots of hearts caring

8. Pig out joyful atmosphere

9. Picky Nicky understands nutritious food

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Second stage (2 years old)

Book header An I can read book (level 1, 2), pages 48-64.

1. Small pig home, caring, pursuit of ideals

2. Oscar Otter The humor of the mantis stalking the cicada and the oriole behind it

3. Red fox and his canoe sharing, humor, pursuit of ideals

4. The fire Cat love, caring, doing great things

5. Harry and the lady next door * dreams come true

6. No more monsters for me * Cute monsters, wit, care

The following four books are a series of heart-warming family stories where the protagonist is a little bear

7. Father bear comes home

8. Little bear*

9. Little bear's friend*

10. Little bear's visit*

11. Newt confident

12. Two silly trolls Love, sharing, humor

13. There is Carrot in my ear Nonsensical humor

14. The adventures of snail at school adventure, imagination, confidence

15. Buzby* independence, confidence, work

picture books by famous writers

1. Fireman small seriousness, helpfulness

　2. Heaven love and death

3. The snowman fantasy adventure

4. Now one foot, now the other family ties

5. Who's afraid of the big, bad bully Fight against evil forces, courage

6. Blueberries for Sal * Warmth

7. Winnie in winter Contentment, humor

8 . Marsha makes me sick brotherly love

9. Marsha is only a flower brotherly love

10. Oi! Get off our trains environmental protection, sharing

11. The doorbell rang sharing, digital concept

12. Little polar bear finds a friend friendship, adventure

Author By Cynthia Rylant, a series of stories about a little boy Henry and a big dog Mudge, humorous sketches, easy to understand. Only the collections I have are listed. They were purchased from the United States. The list of books in Taiwan may be less complete.

1. Henry and Mudge and the best day of all

2. Henry and Mudge in puddle trouble

3. Henry and Mudge the first book

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　4. Henry and Mudge and the starry night

　5. Henry and Mudge in the sparkle days

　6. Henry and Mudge and Annie's perfect pet

7. Henry and Mudge take the big test

8. Henry and Mudge and the bedtime thumps

Stage 3 (3 years old)

Book The header is An I can read book (level 2), written by Arnold Lobel, one of my favorite picture book authors. His book is a must-buy and is a family heirloom. The audio cassette version is attached, which is highly recommended for primary school students with basic English listening skills to read and listen to repeatedly.

1. Frog and toad are friends *

2. Frog and toad together *

3. Frog and toad all year *

4. Days frog and toad *

5. Grasshopper on the road *

6. Mouse soup *

7. Mouse tales *

　8. Owl at home *

　9. Uncle elephant

　Book header An I can read book (level 2, 3)

1. Last one in is a rotten egg* Courage, perseverance

2. Clara and the bookwagon Cherish, work hard, the beauty of reading

3. Inspector hopper detective story

4. Big Max Detective Story

5. Here comes the strikeout * Where there is a will, there is a way

6. The smallest cow in the world * Imagination, nostalgia

< p>　Picture books by famous artists

1. The biggest bear * friendship, love

2. Nana upstairs & Nana downstairs ancestral love

3. Pompeii buried alive The historical origin of Pompeii

4. The bravest dog ever Balto courage, adventure, helping others

5. One hundred hungry ants number concept

6. Corduroy caring and Love

The author and illustrator James Marshall calls this book a children's version of chicken soup for the soul. It is humorous and must-buy.

It is also highly recommended for primary school students with basic English reading skills. Each book is divided into three short stories, which are easy to understand. The deep sense of humor hidden in it is worth collecting for a lifetime.

1. Fox and his friends

2. Fox all week

3. Fox at school

4. Fox on wheels < /p>

　5. Fox be nimble

　6. Fox on stage

　7. Fox on the job

　8. Fox in love

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9. Fox outfoxed

10. Three up a tree

11. Three by the sea

12. Four on the shore

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A series of stories about brother Oliver and sister Amanda, humorous and heartwarming stories of brotherhood, family love, friendship, growth and care. Each volume is divided into five independent short stories.

1. Amanda pig and her big brother Oliver (1.5 years old)

2. Amanda pig and her best friend Lollipop

3. Tales of Oliver pig < /p>

4. More tales of Oliver pig

5. Tales of Amanda pig

6. Amanda pig and her own

7. More tales of Amanda pig

8. Amanda pig, school girl

9. Oliver pig at school

10. Oliver, Amanda and grandmother pig

A series of works about Franklin, a little turtle. Each book has a theme and is of profound educational significance. However, the 14-20 theme may be more suitable for four-year-olds with better cognitive abilities. Purchased from the United States, the Taiwanese bibliography may be less complete.

1. Franklin in the dark, fear of the dark

2. Franklin goes to the hospital, experience of being sick in hospital

3. Franklin and the thunderstorm, courage

4. Hurry up, Franklin is punctual

5. Franklin is lost and trustworthy

6. Franklin's blanket beloved baby

7. Franklin goes to school

8. Franklin's new friend

9. Franklin is messy

10. Franklin is bossy

　11. Franklin's bad day Emotional processing

　12. Franklin and Harriet brotherhood

　13. Franklin fibs bragging

　14. Franklin has a sleepover and spend the night at a friend's house

15. Franklin's secret club sharing

16. Franklin's Halloween Halloween surprise

17. Franklin's Christmas gift to cherish

< p>　18. Franklin's school play stage performance

This is a naughty adventure story about a little yellow monkey. It has been more than 60 years since the first book was published, and it still remains popular, which shows its charm. The painting style is simple but full of humor. Not only children like it, but even adults may be captured by it. There are others in the same series, please refer to them yourself.

Although this series has begun to break away from children's simple sentence patterns, it is not difficult. If your children are already in the middle or upper grades of elementary school and have basic English listening skills, and want to stimulate their interest in listening to English stories, you can Start with this series and all come with audio cassettes to listen to over and over again.

1. Curious George *

2. Curious George flies a kite *

3. Curious George gets a medal *

4 . Curious George goes to the hospital *

5. Curious George rides a bike *

6. Curious George takes a job *

The fourth stage ( 4 Years old)

Book header An I can read book (level 2, 3)

1. The grandma mix-up humor, grandfather-grandchild love

2 . Zack's alligator Humor, friendship, caring

3. Rollo and Tweedy and the ghost at Dougal Castle *Detective story of who is pretending to be a ghost

4. A bargain for Frances * Frank, Don't deceive

The following two books are ghost stories, but they are humorous and interesting. Please consider the child's acceptance level. When my son was five years old, he was not afraid at all, but his younger daughter refused to listen at night. In a dark dark room is a picture of a person’s head on the ground!

5. Ghosts *

6. In a dark dark room *

7. The big balloon race* Adventure, courage, perseverance

< p>　8. Sam the minuteman * Fight for freedom, protect homeland

　9. The Josefina Story Quilt * Hope, care, gratitude

　10. The Golly sisters go west * Noisy Still good friends

11. Hill of fire * Optimism in the face of adversity

12. The drinking gourd * Equality, caring, the courage to pursue freedom

13. The long way to the new land * The immigrant's journey of hope

14. Wagon wheels * The courageous journey thousands of miles to find his father, adapted from a true story

15. The case of the scaredy cats friendship and humor between boys and girls

16. The case of the hungry stranger * innocent and humorous detective story

17. Kick, pass, and run teamwork

< p>　18. Buffalo bill and the pony express Courage, glory, adapted from a true story

19. Harry in trouble A child's journey of solving problems

20. Emma's yucky brother Adoption issue, Family love

21. The 18 penny goose Caring in adversity, adapted from a true story

22. Daniel's duck Sometimes, ridicule is the best compliment

23. Golly sisters ride again Humor, friendship

24. A bear for Miguel Courage, generosity

25. Snowshoe Thompson Trust, adapted from a true story

26. Small wolf Indian historical stories

27. Aunt Eater's mystery Halloween (2.8 years old) Detective story

Book header An I can read book (level 2), author Lillian Hoban. "The elder brother is always better than the younger sister, braver than the younger sister, better at arithmetic than the younger sister, and better at reading than the younger sister..." This is a series of humorous and heartwarming stories developed by a self-righteous orangutan brother Arthur and his younger sister Violet.

1. Arthur's birthday party

2. Arthur's loose tooth*

3. Arthur's Christmas cookies*

4. Arthur's honey bear *

　5. Arthur's camp-out*

　6. Arthur's great big valentine

　7. Arthur's funny money*

　8. Arthur's pen pal*

9. Arthur's prize reader*

The fifth stage (after 5 years old)

By the famous writer Judith Viorst

1. Alexander, who used to be rich last Sunday humor

2. Alexander, who's not going to move humor

3. Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day humor

By the well-known writer Virginia Lee Burton

1. Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel * perseverance

2. The little house * nostalgia

3. Maybelle the cable car * Citizen’s right to vote

4. Katy and the big snow * Work hard

By well-known writer Jan Brett

< p>　1. Ginger bread baby adventure

2. The mitten share

3. The hat share

4. Hedgie's surprise wit

5. Town mouse country mouse contentment

6. Berlioz the bear share

7. The night before Christmas fantasy

8. Who's that knocking on Christmas eve fantasy

By the well-known writer Bernard Waber

1. Lyle, Lyle crocodile * care

2. The house on east 88th street * care

　3. Ira sleeps over * courage, facing ridicule

　4. Ira says goodbye * parting, friendship

　By the well-known writer James Marshall

1. Miss Nelson is back * Humor

2. Miss Nelson has a field day Humor

3. George and Martha Humor

By the well-known writer Tomie dePaola < /p>

　1. Strega Nona is humorous and disciplined

　2. Strega Nona meets her match, tolerance

　By the well-known writer Bill Peet

　1. Big bad bruce * Empathy

2. Cyrus the unsinkable sea serpent* (4.5 years old) Care, compassion, adventure

3. The Whingdingdilly* Contentment, facing setbacks

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　By the well-known writer William Steig

1. Doctor De Soto (3 years old) compassion, courage, wit

2. Doctor De Soto goes to Africa * compassion, courage

3. Zeke pippin’s adventure

4. The toy brother’s care

5. Brave Irene’s mission accomplished

Picture books by famous artists

1. Fun with the Molesons (3.5 years old) Humor

1. Rumpelstiltskin * Classic fairy tale

2. Hurricane * Journey of imagination

< p>　3. Piggie Pie * Humor

4. Miss Rumphius * Classic fairy tale

5. How my parents learned to eat * Fusion of cultures

6. Hodges' café * The humor in courage

7. I'll fix Anthony The pressure cry and great humor in the sibling rankings

8. Sophie Skates' interest and persistence in ballet< /p>

9. Click, clack, moo: cows that type humor

10. Cloudy with a chance of meatballs fantasy, food raining from the sky

11. A pocket full of kisses family affection, love without regrets

12. A kissing hand mother’s love can never be used up