Roela P.

Dalura Beed-3
Education 19 Teaching English in the Elementary Grades

Having gone through the overview, in your own understanding what

is therefore Language Art?

Language Arts is the generic name given to the study and improvement of language
skills within the school setting. Traditionally, the primary divisions in language arts,
where language in this case refers to both linguistic and specific languages- simply
as Language Arts developing the skills in the use of language which lead to
proficiency in written or spoken communication.

Teaching Language Arts are started at home. Whereas, our parents are the primary
teacher in preparing and introducing the language arts. Starting from the basic
concept of language arts up to where they must be able to absorb content from and
also express knowledge of other areas.

Language Arts sharpens critical thinking that is essential filter through which we
process information so that we do not simply believe everything we read and hear.
This ability empowers us to think before we speak and write. It encourages us
students to ask deep, open-ended questions, and exercise high-level critical thinking.
It also serves as a guide to find the themes within text, then connect it to other texts,
theories, and historical events.
What is the importance of teaching Language arts in the elementary?

Teaching language Arts in the Elementary is not only important for primary grades
but they are also necessary for success in other areas of study, and in life beyond
school. It serves as a strong foundation for academic reading and writing. Language
focus on critical reading, writing and communication skills. Beginning with phonics
instruction in Elementary grades, and proceeding to complex technical concepts in
later grades, the mastery of language arts is necessary to meet academic standards.
Period of silent, sustained reading, cursive writing, syntax, thematic writing and
vocabulary are all major focal points of elementary lesson.

The skills and knowledge captured in the language Arts are designed to prepare
students for life outside the classroom. They help develop the 21 st century skills:
Communication, Collaborative, Creativity, and Critical Thinking, which are needed for
global success in the future life and career. The study of language Arts help students
use cogent reasoning, and it forms the foundation for all effective communication.
Since the child will be learning a second language, would it not be
difficult for him to learn as his first language, the mother tongue
would serve as a stumbling block to effective learning?

Language is not biological; therefore regardless of race and ethnicity, children will
eventually acquire the language they are first exposed to in their families especially
from the primary caregiver. We know that first language acquired typically occurs in
infancy and early childhood. First language is the language first acquired as a child
like mother tongue and native language, or preferred language in a multilingual
situation.

Since the child goes to school he/she will be learning a second language which is
after a first language is already established. The ability of a child or person to use a
second language will depend on his or her family’s ability to speak more than one
language. It is important for parents/caregiver to provide a strong language model. If
you cannot use the language well, you should not be teaching it.

According to Cummin’s Interdependence Hyphothesis that knowledge of how first

language or mother tongue is acquired lends understanding of how second language
is acquired, too. Jim Cummins in his language interdependence hyphothesis
explained that all languages have common underlying proficiency. Languages may
appear to have different surface structures but their deep structures are common;
hence, proficiency in second language.

Therefore, learning of a child from first language to second language will be depends
on how guardians, teachers, and peers are greatly one language can be transitioned
to another language and another language. For us teachers must focus on the
common underlying proficiencies of the language in order to successfully transfer in
one language to another.