Teaching English through fairy tales and cartoons

Abstract

The purpose of this course design is to develop young students’ English language skills through reading fairy tales and watching cartoons of the same fairy tale. Emphasis on all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing allows involving students in different kinds of authentic and entertaining activities. The course is also aimed at enhancing learners’ creative/critical thinking and collaborative skills. This was an after-school program designed for 10-13 years old young learners with low elementary level of English language proficiency, which took place at a Yerevan Public School. This was a 20 hour course with two hour lessons, which took place twice a week. The deliverables of the course include complete lesson plans for teachers with supporting materials, the scope and sequence of the course including course goals, objectives and assessment plan with the assessment tools. Based on the course evaluation evidence, the course was successful and effective for developing young learners’ language skills, critical, creative thinking and also collaborative skills.